A team of students from St Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick, Co Down have been awarded third place in AIB’s Build a Bank Challenge National Final competition. AIB’s Build a Bank Challenge involves second level students setting up and running a bank in their school with the support of a First Trust Bank Student Officer. Gaining hands on experience, the students get involved in all aspects of banking – from sourcing new customers and opening accounts – to encouraging regular savings, exploring new ways to bank and customer loyalty programmes.
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St Patricks Grammar School pupils Lauren McCullough, Eimear Degan and Kevin Johnston with AIB Youth Ambassador, Colm Cooper and students Matthew Boyd, Oisin MacManus and Darragh McCrickard.[/caption]
At the final, the schools showcased their school bank projects through innovative exhibitions and tested their communications skills by presenting to a select panel of judges.
After winning a hotly contested regional final last month, the Co Down students competed against 28 other schools from across Ireland to win third place at the prestigious National Final held in the RDS in Dublin.
As well as picking up a trophy, each student received a gift voucher and €2,000 for their school. Speaking at the National Final, Des Moore, Head of First Trust Bank said: “I want to congratulate the talented team from St Patrick’s Grammar School on their success in AIB’s Build a Bank Challenge.
More than 10,000 students from across Ireland have been involved in running their own banks since the Challenge began 13 years ago.
“After months of hard work and dedication, the team from Downpatrick demonstrated strong business and influencing skills in their presentation to the panel of judges.
“These are the kind of skills any employer would value in their workforce and will stand these students in good stead throughout their academic and working lives.’’ .
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