Columbia s First National Bank and Trust Co. has received one of six annual statewide Missouri Volunteer Awards for its volunteer efforts at Blue Ridge Elementary School. Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell presented the award at a banquet March 7 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons on Lake of the Ozarks. First National Bank first teamed with Blue Ridge in the Partners in Education program 17 years ago. The partnership initially created the Mustang Bank, which is housed at the school.
Students open real savings accounts, make deposits and transact other bank business.
They learn how to handle money and make monetary decisions. The bank has subsequently created several other cooperative programs at Blue Ridge Elementary. In one program, bankers mentor individual students a minimum of three hours each month.