Westminster Campus News

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Westminster College, Chase Bank & West High School: Promote Financial Literacy To Utah Youth

New program aimed at keeping Utah high schoolers out of financial turmoil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682

Jan. 28, 2009


SALT LAKE CITY – In response to the many young Americans who struggle with financial hardships after graduation, and especially in the current economic environment, Westminster College, Chase Bank and West High School have partnered to develop a special program that helps students become financially literate and avoid financial pitfalls they may face as they enter the “real world.”

In December 2008, Westminster’s Center for Financial Analysis began the first of 13 Financial Literacy Program classes sponsored by Chase Bank. The program will be held several times a month until April 2009, and provides an opportunity for West High School juniors and seniors to learn about personal finance and basic economics in a college environment.

“When you’re young, you often make decisions that affect the rest of your life,” said Tammie Howarth, Westminster’s Center for Financial Analysis coordinator and class instructor. “In order to make good financial decisions, young people need to be educated so they can take control of their financial future.”

All Utah high school students are now required to participate in a year-long financial literacy class in order to graduate. Westminster and West High have partnered to incorporate the Financial Literacy Program into their curriculum. Approximately 30 West High students will participate in each 3-hour class held at Westminster, with topics ranging from understanding the basics of credit scores to financial markets and stock investing. In all, more than 400 students will participate in this program. Classes include group discussions, investment games and financial quizzes.

About JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.3 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management, and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan, Chase, and WaMu brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

About West High School:
West High School was established in1890 and was the first high school in the state of Utah. It is a Salt Lake City School District high school, and has been ranked the #1 high school in the state and #158 in the nation according to Newsweek magazine.

About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu.