Future Bankers and Financial Professionals Camp

The Future Bankers and Financial Professionals Camp is designed to inspire and cultivate the talent of high-achieving students from low-to-moderate income communities, providing them with a clear and promising career path in the financial services industry. This collaborative initiative brings together the Center for Financial Training International (CFT), local community colleges, universities, school districts, and financial institutions. The program has proven to be tremendously successful, benefiting students, communities, and the financial industry alike.

Building Strong Communities

The financial services industry has long been recognized for its lack of diversity. Since its inception, the camp has received overwhelmingly positive responses from industry leaders eager to address this issue. Many students from low-to-moderate income communities face challenges in accessing opportunities within this lucrative and vital sector of the American economy. This program helps bridge that gap, opening doors to financial careers that can uplift individuals and families, ultimately fostering stronger, more economically resilient communities.

Having more financial professionals embedded within these communities is a critical step toward promoting economic self-sufficiency. With a better understanding of financial principles and opportunities, these future professionals can guide and empower other families, helping them navigate financial challenges and build wealth.

Results-Oriented Training

The Future Bankers & Financial Professionals Camp is tailored for rising high school juniors and seniors from under-resourced neighborhoods. The program enhances career and college readiness while providing students with essential financial education and industry exposure.

This four-week college-level camp consists of:

Two weeks of classroom instruction, covering foundational financial knowledge.
Two weeks of real-world experience, including job shadowing, industry presentations, site visits, hands-on activities, and more.

The goal is not just to provide students with entry-level training but to place them on an upwardly mobile career path. The curriculum covers critical banking roles such as bank teller, universal banker, and customer service representative, along with essential workplace skills, including:

Banking fundamentals and regulatory compliance
Business etiquette, customer service, and sales
Professionalism and workplace expectations

Additionally, students develop essential soft skills highly valued by employers, including:

Professionalism
Work Ethic
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
Written & Oral Communication

What truly sets the Future Bankers & Financial Professionals Camp apart is its emphasis on practical application of these skills.

Real-World Application of Classroom Instruction

During the final two weeks of the program, students participate in site visits to financial institutions, the Federal Reserve, and other industry partners. These experiences expose students to various sectors within the financial services industry and include:

Job shadowing opportunities
Mock interviews to refine professional skills
Pitch competitions to develop confidence and business acumen
Panel discussions with financial professionals
Group projects that encourage collaboration and problem-solving
Personal branding exercises for career readiness

These hands-on learning experiences set the Future Bankers & Financial Professionals Camp apart from traditional financial education. By stepping beyond the classroom, students gain real-life exposure to the financial industry and develop the accountability and professionalism required to succeed in a competitive, global economy.

Promising Students on the Path to Success

Students are selected through a rigorous application process and must meet the following criteria:

Recommendation from a high school administrator, lead teacher, or guidance counselor
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Letter of recommendation/reference
Commitment to meeting all program and site-visit requirements

Students who successfully complete the program and pass the certification exams receive widely recognized industry credentials, including:

American Bankers Association (ABA) Bank Teller Certificate
Customer Service Representative Certificate
Universal Banker Certificate
Digital Banker Certificate

These certifications significantly enhance students’ employability and provide a strong foundation for long-term career growth in the financial services sector.

Supporting Strategic Imperatives

The Future Bankers & Financial Professionals Camp is an innovative program that strengthens career and college readiness by immersing students in real-world financial education and hands-on industry experiences. It provides a pathway to postsecondary degrees, professional certifications, and essential financial literacy skills needed for lifelong success.

We invite financial institutions and other industry partners to support this transformative program in the following ways:

Sponsor student participation by adopting a future banker/financial professional
Provide grant funding to sustain and expand program offerings
Serve as an instructor or guest speaker to share industry insights
Host an internship or site visit opportunity (virtual or in-person)

The Center for Financial Training (CFT) International is committed to delivering professionally administered educational programs that meet the evolving needs of the financial services industry.