September 11, 2025 – SNB reopened its Blue Devil Branch at Wayne Elementary School with 64 students making deposits and saving more than $400. All first-time depositors received $5 in their accounts from State Nebraska Bank & Trust as an incentive to start saving. Students also earned incentives like bookmarks, mini footballs, school supplies, and coupons to local businesses based on the frequency of their deposits.

Now in its seventh year of operation, more than 400 students have saved over $46,000 through this in-school savings program. The elementary school bank is open every Thursday at 7:30am in the cafeteria, with 20 fifth and sixth grade students working as tellers under staff supervision.

This unique savings program is part of a state-wide effort led by the Nebraska Council on Economic Education to teach financial literacy to youth so they can become lifelong savers. There are more than 90 in-school savings programs operating in Nebraska and Iowa. The SNB Blue Devil Branch was the first in-school bank in northeast Nebraska. The savings program is also supported by Wayne State College students who teach financial literacy lessons to elementary students.

State Nebraska Bank & Trust will open a second in-school bank at the Wayne Early Learning Center on October 14. This new Blue Devil Branch will be open Tuesday mornings before school at the ELC.

Permission slips are available in both school offices for students who wish to open an account and save money weekly at school. For questions, contact the SNB Blue Devil Branch coordinator, Jillian Pierson, at (402) 375-1130, or visit https://statenebank.com/about/blue-devil-branch/.