NEW YORK, N.Y. – Volunteers from Valley National Bank visited Brentwood High School in Brentwood, NY on October 5th to share insights with more than 500 students about what it takes to become financially literate. The visit was organized by Working in Support of Education (w!se), a national nonprofit leading the way in financial education.

Among the topics presented, the volunteers discussed the perils of identity theft and how to avoid it, the good and bad of credit and the features of credit and debit cards. Brentwood High School recently updated its curriculum to include real-world topics that will better prepare students for life after high school. Valley National volunteers will return to Brentwood in the spring to address another 500 seniors.

Since 2014 employees from the bank’s branches and executive offices in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey have delivered classroom presentations on personal finance at schools that participate in w!se’s Financial Literacy Certification program. This award winning program, now offered in 48 states, supports personal finance instruction in high schools and provides an opportunity for students to become Certified Financially Literate ™, if they pass w!se’s nationally recognized Financial Literacy Certification Test.

“We are proud to support w!se in its mission to improve lives by developing financial literacy and college and career readiness,” said Michael J. Dondero, District Sales Manager & Senior Vice President at Valley National Bank. “We feel that these financial literacy events, presented by Valley National Bank’s banking professionals, provide insight and guidance that will support students to achieve financial independence.”

Through its funding and volunteerism, the bank generously supports several w!se initiatives. In 2016, more than 120 employees volunteered their time.

W!se President & CEO Phyllis F. Perillo said: “We are deeply grateful to Valley National Bank for its extraordinary support of our programs and for helping students build their financial knowledge and confidence.”


About Valley National Bank 

Valley National is a regional bank with approximately $23 billion in assets and more than 200 branch locations in New Jersey, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Florida. Our goal is to help our customers make smarter, safer and more convenient money management decisions by providing personalized service and customized solutions – from an array of basic consumer deposit products and home financing programs to comprehensive commercial financing and wealth management solutions. This vision guides us in everything we do and reaffirms our commitment to honest, ethical and responsible banking practices.

About w!se

Working In Support of Education (w!se), a national educational not-for-profit, improves the lives of young people through programs that develop financial literacy and readiness for college and careers.

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