The branches are part of CUTX's SMART Branch concept, which it developed with the goal of providing students with the financial resources and education that empowers them to make sound financial decisions in the future. Its name comes from its focus on servant leadership, motivation, active learning, reasoning and technology.

The Little Elm branch employs 21 junior and senior students who serve as bank managers, tellers and marketers. Prior to the branch opening, each student employee completed three days of intensive banking, marketing and financial literacy training. Each student employee also received hands-on training during Little Elm High School's winter break at the CUTX branch in Frisco, seven miles east of the high school.

CUTX President/CEO Eric Pointer said the opening of the Little Elm High School branch was a step in deepening its partnership with the school, and continuing its practice of empowering students and providing them with financial literacy skills.

"After witnessing firsthand the positive impact of the Allen High School SMART Branch on students' financial literacy skills, confidence and knowledge of potential future career paths, we knew it was the right time to partner with other schools and provide this same opportunity to as many students as possible," Pointer said.

CUTX selected the student employees based on criteria that included their interest in business or marketing, academic records, dedication to volunteerism, teacher recommendations, public speaking skills and interviews.

All student employees receive a $1,000 scholarship for future education-related needs each year they are employed with the branch. All junior grade-level employees are eligible for re-hiring, although they must maintain their qualifications and interview again. CUTX will consider all Little Elm High School student employees as potential future hires for permanent careers at the credit union.

The Little Elm SMART Branch will provide the same services as all other CUTX branches, including checking and savings accounts and auto loans.

Like the Allen SMART Branch, the Little Elm location offers a "Pay for Grades" initiative. The semi-annual program rewards students with $25 for each A and $5 for each B deposited into their accounts.

Beginning this spring, CUTX will work with the school to launch its financial literacy program, where SMART Branch student employees will serve as financial literacy coaches to their fellow classmates.

CUTX partnered with the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) to develop a modified version of its High School Financial Planning Program. Under the instruction of a Little Elm teacher, who helps oversee the financial literacy center with CUTX, student employees will first learn the course material each week before presenting the various modules on topics including money management, loans, credit, investing and more.

CUTX permanent employees will also regularly provide informative sessions on various topics, including home equity loans, refinancing and auto loans, to Little Elm High School faculty and staff.

Dr. Elizabeth Priddy, principal of Little Elm High School, said the school has long considered it important to offer students opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.

"By partnering with CUTX on the new SMART Branch, we are continuing this tradition and providing our students with a unique financial literacy program and real-world skills that will be utilized well into the future," Priddy said.