Banks have been around a long time. They are a part of our everyday lives. It seems like there’s a bank on every corner, yet we rarely give these important institutions a second thought.

One day, when students have a career and an income, they will need a safe place to deposit their paycheck and save their money. They will have a consumer relationship with a bank. Like any relationship involving their hard-earned money, they should know what they’re getting into!

Unit Theme

Earning an Income

Lesson Topics

  • Commercial bank divisions
  • Savings
  • Checking
  • Money market accounts
  • Bank fees
  • Avoiding bank penalties
  • Good banking habits
  • (opt.) The virtual currency debate

Lesson Objectives

Lesson objectives aligned to NSFL.

Objective NSFL Gr. 8 NSFL Gr. 12
Compare banks: retail, consumer, business, savings and loan III-1, IV-5 ++
Compare a checking account, savings account, CD, and money market account III-2, III-3 IV-2
Make a plan with at least five strategies to avoid bank fees and penalties ++ ++
Tell about two alternatives to traditional banking ++ ++
Summarize the benefits and limitations of deposit insurance III-9 III-6
(Opt.) Debate the pros and cons of virtual currency ++ ++
(Opt.) Use Padlet to collaborate with a team to prepare for the debate on virtual currency ++ ++

++ Exceeds NFSL

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Classroom Instructional Slides

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Lesson 1 Getting Personal Battle of the Banks lesson cover

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Links to Lesson Supplemental Resources

Findabetterbank.com