Paul Bass Photo
Hillhouse’s marching band is getting new instruments — and other high-school kids are getting new bank accounts along with a financial “education” — courtesy of New Haven’s new community bank.
START Community Bank announced that news Wednesday afternoon at an outdoor party in the parking lot of its Whalley Avenue headquarters.
The occasion was a “thank you” party to city movers and neighborhood shakers who have supported the new bank in its first five months of operation.
The bank said “thanks” with more than just free beer and mini-cupcakes (pictured) assembled in the design of the institution’s logo.
Bank President Bill Placke announced that the bank will contribute $3,000 in new instruments and uniforms to the Hillhouse High band (pictured at the top of the story with him, board President Mark Sklarz, Chapel Construction’s Lou Stone, and, hidden from view, Hillhouse Principal Kermit Carolina).
Placke also announced a bank-sponsored “Loot Camp” to be launched this summer in conjunction with Youth@Work, city government’s summer jobs program for teens.
Teens in the program will get savings accounts at the bank. Their summer paychecks will be deposited directly into the accounts. (“No more trips to the [fee-charging] check-cashing companies” as in past summers, Placke said.)
Then the bank will train the students in how to read electronic statements, how to balance an account, how to save money over time, how to “safeguard an ATM card.” The teens will set summer “savings goals.” Those who meet the goals will qualify for a drawing for a new iPad.
At the event, START also gave out its first annual “Community Catalyst” awards, to Daniel Diaz, Evelyn Streater Frizzle, Mary Ann Moran, and Sheila Masterson. Click here to read the bank’s write-up on the winners.
Mayor DeStefano schmoozed outside the party tent before noting in remarks that START was founded in response to the demutualization of New Haven Savings Bank.