West Shore Bank : 2022.12.20 West Shore Bank to Provide Personal Finance Curriculum to More Michigan Schools

CONTACT:

Alison Haller, M.S.

VP Marketing Officer

[phone]

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

December 20, 2022

WEST SHORE BANK TO PROVIDE PERSONAL FINANCE CURRICULUM TO MORE

MICHIGAN SCHOOLS

LUDINGTON, Mich. - Since 2017, West Shore Bank has partnered with Ramsey Solutions to provide Foundations in Personal Finance, the premier personal finance curriculum, to schools in Ludington. Now, for the first time, West Shore Bank is expanding to offer the curriculum to students in Traverse City, Custer, Ludington, Manistee, Montague, and Shelby. In total, seven schools will benefit, and hundreds of students will be impacted.

West Shore Bank has long been an advocate for financial literacy education. In 2022, West Shore Bank was named among the top extraordinary banks in the country by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ and won the 2022 Money Smarts Banky™ Award for Financial Literacy Education. This award recognizes the top 1% of all community banks, recognizing excellence in providing financial education programs to assist people of all ages in enhancing their financial skills.

"Financial literacy takes decades of hard work and dedication to educate the communities you operate in," said Raymond A. Biggs, the president and CEO of West Shore Bank. "That is one of the reasons that makes West Shore Bank so unique - from our board of directors to front-line staff, we all take great pride in serving our communities and being a champion for financial wellness."

Foundations in Personal Finance has helped more than five million students nationwide. The curriculum features time- tested principles that will help teens learn life-changing money skills they'll use now and for the rest of their lives. New Ramsey Solutions research shows students worry less about earning enough money as an adult, getting a good job, and paying for college, after completing Foundations in Personal Finance.

"Our curriculum sponsors have such a big heart for giving back to their communities, and we are so grateful," said Jim King, executive vice president of Ramsey Education. "We're encouraged that the number of states requiring financial literacy education, including Michigan, is growing. West Shore Bank filled a big void to provide educators and students with this curriculum."

For more information about Foundations in Personal Finance, visit ramseysolutions.com/education.

About West Shore Bank

For over a century, West Shore Bank has remained committed to helping the people and businesses along the lakeshore to improve their financial well-being. As a local business, we employ over 100 people at nine full-service banking offices in Mason, Oceana, Manistee, Benzie and Grand Traverse counties. All of our employees live and work here, raise their families here, and volunteer here to help strengthen our community.

About Ramsey Solutions

Ramsey Solutions exists for the people outside its walls, empowering them in the areas of money, business, leadership, career and mental wellness. Through its multimedia platforms, Ramsey shares life-changing content with millions every day. Ramsey's products and world-class speakers and authors bring hope to people in every stage of life. The 1,100 Ramsey team members are committed to applying biblically based principles to work that matters. For more information, visit ramseysolutions.com.

West Shore Bank contact:

Alison Haller, M.S.

V.P. of Marketing Officer 888-295-4373

Ramsey Solutions Contact:

Sara Small

Sr. Publicist [e-mail]

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Founded in 1898, West Shore Bank is here to help make a real difference in your life.

Offering both valuable banking services and community support, we remain committed to helping the

people and businesses in Michigan to improve their financial well-being.