Virginia Commerce Bank is happy to be part of the B.E.E.S. (Bankers & Educators Enriching Students) school partnership program.

It may be our best experiment of all. We wanted to find out what would happen if students could work with VCB to help run a bank at their school. The result? The students of Mountain View Elementary School and Mary Williams Elementary School in Prince William County have learned how to become super savers!

How the VCB B.E.E.S. Program works — it's as easy as A, Bee, C:

A. Open VCB Savings Accounts

At the beginning of the school year, students and their parents receive information about opening a savings account at their school's bank. They can also open the account at local VCB branches. To reward student savers, local businesses provide account opening gift certificates, redeemable for sweet treats and other prizes.

B. Bank at School

Each week during the school year, student-run banks open to receive savings deposits from students with accounts. Students who deposit money at the school bank are entered in a monthly prize drawing. Students can also make savings deposits at any Virginia Commerce Bank branch.

Fourth and fifth graders operate the banks with the help of Virginia Commerce Bank representatives. Student employees of the school banks have to go through interviews and training before taking their place behind the teller line to accept deposits, count money and provide receipts to fellow students.

C. Learn Life-Long Money Lessons

This unique, hands-on experience teaches students about how money works and how to save for short and long-term goals. It gives students skills to be super savers and make wise money decisions all through their lives.