Deele College launched this year’s AIB Build-a-Bank today, with the introduction of ‘NintendaBank,’ which is a school based bank, based on the theme of the Nintendo computer company. 
Six students, who were selected after intensive interviews with staff from Allied Irish Bank have been working hard for the last six weeks, in anticipation of the opening of the bank.
The six students are; Louise Brogan, who is the manager, Megan Barnet, who is assistant manager, Jessica Wood, sales and marketing manager, Luke Sharkey, digital controller, Dean McCullagh, financial controller and Rebecca Lafferty, customer service manager.
After weeks of preparation, the launch was held today in the GP area of the school and the bank was officially opened by the recently retired teacher, Mrs Ann Roulstone, who spoke about the positive effect the bank had on the students and in particular their saving habits. Ann is very well placed to talk about the saving habits of the students, as she organised many school tours in her years in the school and encouraged students to get into the habit of saving for themselves.
Also in attendance was AIB’s James McGarrigle, who has helped the students with the setting up of the bank in the school.
The bank will be opened to staff and students of Deele College every Thursday at lunch-time and they will be able to open accounts and lodge money on a weekly basis, encouraging staff and students to save money on a regular basis.
The Nintendo theme was very evident on the day, with members of the bank dressed as Mario and the bank’s logo based on the Nintendo logo. The launch was a great success and school principal, Mr Joe Boyle says that he is delighted with the bank’s presence in the school, which he says has a positive influence on student’s spending and saving habits.
“The launch of the bank is a positive step for everyone here at the school. The bank has the ability to teach students lessons, which cannot be learned in the classroom. These lessons are invaluable to all students and will be beneficial throughout their lives. I’d like to congratulate the students on a very professional launch and I hope that it is a great success.”
