Bank to Open in School Lobby of Townview Magnet Center; Financial Services Will Be Offered by Students to Teachers, Parents and Other Students.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--A ribbon cutting will mark the opening of a first-of-its-kind, full service bank at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center's School of Business and Management this week.

-- Time: 9 a.m.

-- Date: Tuesday, October 6, 1998

-- Place: Townview School

1201 8th Street, Oak Cliff 

Tel: [phone]

"We've created the atmosphere of a real bank lobby," said Mark Cooks, vice president and branch manager of the Wells Fargo Branch at 5801 Marvin D. Love. "There are three teller windows, a safe deposit area, and ATM machine. Student bankers will begin opening checking and savings accounts as soon as the ribbon cutting is finished."

The new bank will offer services to the approximately 2,000 academically outstanding students at the magnet school as well as to 166 faculty members. Parents of the students also will be offered financial services. Wells Fargo representatives will be on site three times a week to mentor students and teach sound banking practices.

Principal at the school is Carrie L. Coy. Banking lab instructor is Mary Washington. A large banner with the words "Making It Real" was placed in the bank lobby's entrance by participating students, Washington said.

Wells Fargo has volunteered time to the Townview student banking program since 1994. The bank has hired several students following graduation based on the skills and training they received in the banking lab, said Mr. Cooks.

"In terms of real-life learning there's no substitute for the real thing," he said. "The students we have hired have done extremely well. They come away with a head start on a career in banking."

Cooks is a 1979 graduate of Townview (formerly known as the Business Management Center), where 20 years ago he was instrumental in the launch of the student-run school store, which offers educational supplies, clothing, gifts and snacks.

He said the student-run bank will offer most of the financial products available at traditional banks, with the exception of credit cards and housing and home equity loans. Information on student loans for college will be available.

Cooks enlisted the support of the National Association of Urban Bankers and the National Association of Hispanic Bankers in the launch of the bank. Professionals from the two organizations will mentor students and serve as guest lecturers.

Wells Fargo has approximately 150 branches throughout Texas. Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo & Company has operations in Texas, California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada.