Shadle Park Students Gain On-Campus Banking Services
The new branch offers students access to debit cards and accounts with no overdraft fees.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Gesa Credit Union has opened a new student-run branch at Shadle Park High School in Spokane. This addition marks the third location within the Spokane Public School district, offering students access to banking services and financial management experience.
Why it matters
The program integrates financial literacy into high school curricula by providing students with hands-on experience and specialized banking products. It specifically offers accounts without overdraft fees to help students build secure financial habits while still in school.
The new branch at Shadle Park High School is the third of its kind in the Spokane Public School district, joining existing sites at Lewis and Clark and North Central High Schools. These branches provide services including debit cards and online banking with no overdraft fees for student users.
The players
Gesa Credit Union
A financial institution that operates eight on-campus locations across Spokane and Spokane Valley to provide students with banking services and career opportunities.
Shadle Park High School
A high school in Spokane that now hosts an on-campus, student-run credit union branch.
Spokane Public Schools
The local school district that collaborates with Gesa Credit Union to offer financial services and CTE programs.
The details
Student employees manage accounts and perform daily banking operations under peer supervision as part of the district's career and technical education programming. Participants gain professional experience in financial management and marketing while earning scholarships through their work at the branch.
Timeline
October 2025: North Central High School branch opened.
October 13, 2026: Lewis and Clark High School branch opened.
October 29, 2026: Shadle Park High School branch opened.
Education Landscape
The expansion of credit union branches into Spokane high schools reflects a broader trend of integrating financial institutions into career and technical education (CTE) programming. This development follows established patterns of partnerships between local credit unions and school districts to provide hands-on financial management training.
Students at Shadle Park High School can now access banking services such as debit cards and online accounts directly on campus. Those interested in the program or specific account benefits should speak with their school's career or financial education office.
The takeaway
Student-run branches offer a unique opportunity to manage finances in a safe, supervised environment. Students interested in these services should consult their school's financial-aid or CTE office to understand how to open accounts and potentially earn scholarships through the program.
Further reading
Learn more about local programs by visiting the Financial Aid section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXLY kxly.com.
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