Capital Bank: A Community Partner Spotlight

Image caption: Capital Bank Volunteers at Junior Achievement Finance Park in Montgomery County

Think big, act local. That is the core principle of Capital Bank, a dedicated community champion for Junior Achievement of Greater Washington (JAGW) since 2023.

Founded in 1999, Capital Bank is committed to people-centric banking that empowers individuals to achieve their financial goals. JAGW and Capital Bank share a common mission of supporting success through financial literacy. 

Michael Fields, VP and CRA Officer at Capital Bank, says, “Our employees support this vital financial education role by mentoring [participants] as they engage in and move through Finance Park’s real-life simulation.” In fact, Capital Bank employees committed to 27 days of volunteer support across all three Junior Achievement Finance Parks this year!

Whether it’s giving lessons on budgeting or learning how to use a credit card, the Capital Bank team brings learning to life through immersive simulations and in-person workshops at Junior Achievement Finance Park, providing 7th and 8th graders with real-world financial skills. 

And as these skilled volunteers pass down their wisdom to the next generation of leaders, it is quite possible they get as much back as they give.

Image caption: Capital Bank Volunteers at Junior Achievement Finance Park in Prince George's County

“Working with Junior Achievement of Greater Washington offers a unique avenue to mentor middle school students using your life skills and knowledge in a way that helps them understand seemingly ‘abstract’ financial concepts and ideas. What might seem foreign to them is what you and I do every day,” explains Fields.

Image caption: Capital Bank Volunteers at Junior Achievement Finance Park in Fairfax County

More than 6,000 volunteers and community partners are at the core of what we do here at Junior Achievement: prepare students with financial education in a global economy.

Fields adds, “The enthusiasm that the middle schoolers bring to the Junior Achievement Finance Park simulation is infectious. It is awe-inspiring when you see the lightbulb in their heads light up and they see, perhaps for the first time, what their parents or caregivers must deal with every day. Junior Achievement is one of a few organizations that has a national footprint but local impact.”

Are you inspired to get involved? Learn how to become a community partner today! Click here.