As past of the national First Trust Build a Bank Challenge, a group of our Year 11 GCSE Business studies pupils have launched the ERGS ‘Bank of Royals’.
The challenge is an initiative which encourages secondary schools across Northern Ireland to open and run their own bank for a year. In each participating school, a team of six student ‘bankers’ adopt specific Bank roles and are tasked with running their own business designed to encourage classmates to explore new ways to bank and save. Students are judged on their overall business plan and their effective use of technology, customer engagement and marketing strategies.
Speaking about the benefits of the competition, Geoff Hooks Regional Director First Trust Bank said, “The School Bank Challenge is a really positive experience for students, teachers and First Trust Bank staff who work continuously with schools throughout the year to develop their business ideas. The challenge develops students’ skill sets and gives them an important insight into running a business. During the year, they consider all aspects, from shaping their business plan to delivering their marketing strategy, budgeting, customer recruitment and retention. We have been very impressed by the quality of the teams from all participating schools.
2016/17 Build a Bank Team:
Manager Rebekah Cuthertson
Chief Operating Officer Chelsea McCullagh
Marketing Manager Shanelle Crozier
Financial Controller Sam Balcomber
Customer Service Advisor Michael Rooney
Media Executive Darragh Byrne
