Timber Ridge Students Hoping Bank Deposits Add Up to Pizza Party

It's never too early to start saving.

That's a lesson students at  learn with Kids Bank.

Kids Bank, sponsored by in Johnston, allows students to open an account and deposit money each Tuesday morning during the school year.

"It's like a real bank, but it's for kids," Shreya Shrestha, a fourth-grader and bank teller said.

First Bank, which has a similar at in West Des Moines, began the Kids Bank at Timber Ridge several years ago and manages the more than 125 accounts after each deposit day.

Hope Ung, fourth-grader, said she's been depositing at the bank since she was in first grade.

"I deposit every week," she said. "The class with the most deposits at the end of the year gets a pizza party."

But the party isn't the only thing Hope likes.

"I like how it's for kids, so you don't have to go somewhere and the kids are nice."

The bank, while supervised by a First Bank employee, is run by third- and fourth-grade students.

The students apply to be tellers, board members and on the marketing committee at the beginning of each year.

"The board members help people get new accounts by taking forms home and we can look up the accounts," said Molly Poock, third-grade student and board member.

After an interview process, eight tellers and four board members were selected to operate the bank.

Each Tuesday, four tellers and two board members are present beginning at 8:15 a.m. to run the bank.

"It's fun because we all try to get the most deposits," Shreya said. "And the kids get a sucker when they deposit."

Each year the bank and school notify parents of the opportunity to participate in the Kids Bank.

Students can sign up for a bank account at any point during the school year, with their parent's permission and forms filled out.

"It goes to a real bank," Owen Smith a fourth-grader and teller said of the deposits. "This way kids don't have to ask their parents to take them to the bank."

Diane Grooters, assistant office manager at First Bank, said Kids Bank has been welcomed by students and parents, alike.

"It's just a way of teaching them about saving money, it gives them a little experience as far as what's expected maybe in the real world," she said.

When students leave Timber Ridge, a letter is sent home to parents. The bank can then close the account or change the account type to operate out of the Johnston First Bank location.