At NCACU, we are committed to empowering the next generation through financial education and community investment. Our youth programs are designed to instill lifelong financial skills and create meaningful opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning. Schools and youth are our priority as they represent the foundation of our future.
School Branches: A Hands-On Financial Education
NCACU proudly operates student-run credit union branches in schools within our service area. These school branches are open one morning a week, allowing members to make deposits, participate in savings challenges, and play educational games. Student staff gain real-world work experience, including operations, balancing drawers, marketing, and providing member service.
In January 2025, we proudly launched our first fully Spanish-speaking school branch at a local Spanish Immersion school, expanding access to financial education and resources for Spanish-speaking students.
Our school branch program has earned state and national recognition, including the Michigan Credit Union League’s Youth Financial Literacy Award. While the program faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, we relaunched in Fall 2023 and currently operate four active programs.
- Viking Branch – Grayling Elementary – Open Wednesday’s before school
- Bobcat Branch – Upper Elementary, Houghton Lake – Open Thursdays during lunch
- Buck Branch – Roscommon Elementary (Coming Soon)
- Banco Del Puente – Jenison El Puente Elementary – Open every other Tuesday before school
“The Buck Branch is our longest-running school branch and has a strong history of fostering financial literacy in our youth.”
– Skottie Lorencz, School Branch Liaison for Roscommon
“School Branch is a great way for students to learn how to save their money and to teach them the responsibility of managing it for a lifetime.”
– Allie Copeland, School Branch Liaison for Grayling
Financial Reality Fairs
Our credit union partners with local schools to host Financial Reality Fairs, interactive events where students experience real-life budgeting and decision-making scenarios. These fairs help students understand the value of money and prepare them for financial independence.
Giving Back to Schools
- Through The Mascot Project, NCACU strengthens ties with local schools in Grayling, Houghton Lake, Roscommon, and Standish by combining school pride with community investment. Each branch supports its local mascot:
- Grayling – Viking Project
- Houghton Lake – Bobcat Project
- Roscommon – Buck Project
- Standish – Panther Project
Our ATMs, branded with school logos, generate donations for schools with every transaction. Additional support comes from Fangear events at football games, School Mascot personal checks, and NCACU merchandise sales.
The Mascot Project is our way of giving back and fostering school pride while investing in the next generation.
Dollar Dog Kid’s Club
Through our Dollar Dog Kid’s Club, children learn the fundamentals of saving, earning, and managing money in a fun and engaging way. The program encourages healthy financial habits from a young age. Click here to visit the Dollar Dog website!
At NCACU, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. Together with our schools, we’re shaping a brighter financial future for our communities.