SmartStart RARL

REAL ACCOUNTS. REAL LEARNING

A Program that Builds Students’
Financial Skills for Life

A hands-on financial wellness course that teaches and promotes real-world money skills.

Financial Foundations Beyond the Textbook

Real Accounts. Real Learning. is an immersive financial wellness course developed in partnership with Cardinal Credit Union and the financial literacy course at these high schools:

  • Lake Catholic High School
  • Mentor High School
  • Willoughby South High School
  • Eastlake North High School
  • Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School

This is real-world learning! Students develop essential money skills while managing a real checking account in a guided, safe environment. The course features:

  • Interactive Learning: Participation in hands-on activities and real-world simulations that make learning about finance engaging and relevant.
  • Expert Guidance: Experienced instructors and financial professionals to guide students through the curriculum.
  • Practical Applications: Relatable personal finance topics like how to create a budget, understand credit scores, and plan for major life expenses.

Why is Cardinal Credit Union in My Classroom?

At Cardinal Credit Union, we believe that financial education is the cornerstone of building strong, empowered communities. By partnering with your school and working directly in your classroom, our goal is to share real-world knowledge that complements what your teachers are already teaching.

HERE'S WHY WE'RE HERE:

Bringing Real-World Experience

As financial professionals, we deal with money management every day. From helping people secure loans to teaching them how to save and invest, our expertise allows us to provide you with practical insights that go beyond textbooks. This means you'll learn how to navigate financial challenges you’re likely to face in the future.

Connecting Education to Career Opportunities

Financial literacy isn’t just about managing your money; it’s also a steppingstone to exciting careers in finance. By working with us, you’ll gain exposure to potential career paths and learn the skills that employers value, giving you a head start in understanding the working world.

Empowering You for Success

We’re here to help you feel confident about your financial future. Whether it's understanding how credit works, learning how to avoid debt, or exploring the basics of investing, we want to give you the tools you need to make informed, smart financial decisions.

Supporting Our Community

As a local credit union, we’re invested in the success of the people in our community. Teaching in your class is one way we give back—by helping the next generation become financially independent and secure. Your success is our success!

A Different Perspective

While your teachers provide the academic foundation for financial literacy, we bring a professional perspective on how financial concepts are applied in daily life. Together, we aim to offer you a well-rounded and engaging learning experience.

By working with your teachers, our hope is that you’ll leave this class not only with better financial knowledge but also with the confidence to take control of your financial future. We’re excited to be part of your journey!

WHY FINANCIAL EDUCATION MATTERS

We live in a fast-paced world. A strong financial foundation is more important than ever.

Early financial education helps students avoid debt, save consistently, and make confident choices about college, transportation, and major other purchases. What

Financial wellness means using knowledge and skills to make informed money choices.

Students today navigate digital payments, credit, loans, and scams. They need the skills to handle all of these.

What Students Learn

Throughout the course, students will cover these key areas. Unit 1: Real Accounts. Real Learning. Introduction and Account Signup | Unit 2: Online Banking and Account Setup, “Pay Yourself First” | Unit 3: Mobile Banking | Unit 4: Fraud, Identity Theft, Scams | Unit 5: Budget Basics and Goal Setting | Unit 6: Debit Cards/Prepaid Cards, Alerts & Fees | Unit 7: Loans & Credit Cards | Unit 8: Semester Review

Meet the Course Instructors!

Kelly H.

Student Branch Development Manager

Kelly leads the Real Accounts. Real Learning. program and oversees student-run branches across Northeast Ohio. A former high school teacher with over 25 years of classroom experience, Kelly is passionate about empowering students to make confident financial decisions and build strong money management habits that last a lifetime.

Michael D.

Financial Wellness Educator

As a Financial Wellness Educator with Cardinal Credit Union, Michael brings more than four decades of teaching and leadership experience to the classroom. A longtime Lake Catholic High School educator, Michael is passionate about helping students understand how smart financial habits canopen doors to lifelong success.

Lisa S.

Financial Wellness Educator

Lisa combines over 35 years of teaching and administrative experience with her passion for helping students build real-world financial confidence. After decades in education, Lisa now brings her classroom expertise to local high schools, empowering students to take charge of their financial futures.

Karl W.

Financial Wellness Educator

Karl was born and raised in Michigan and has lived in Ohio throughout his adult life. He recently retired after 29 years in the public education system, including 18 years of service as a high school principal and four years in a central office role as a Director of Facilities. What he enjoys most is connecting financial concepts to everyday life, helping students see how budgeting, saving, and responsible banking directly impact their independence and future goals.

A REAL ACCOUNT FOR IMPACTFUL LEARNING

As part of the course, students open a real Cardinal Credit Union checking account to use throughout the program. This account gives them:

  • No membership or maintenance fees
  • A $20 deposit courtesy of Cardinal Credit Union
  • Access to digital banking tools like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Zelle, CashApp, and Venmo
  • The opportunity to earn $1 for every “A” on report cards in our Pay for “A”s Program

To open an account, your student will need to provide this information:

  • Full legal name
  • Complete mailing address
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Student Identification Number or Social Security Number
SmartStart Application

BANKING AT SCHOOL

Once their account is active, students can manage their money at school! Cardinal Credit Union Student Banking Kiosks are available for students to:

  • Deposit or withdraw money
  • Check balances & transfer funds
  • Get answers to money questions

Kisoks are open at these times:

Lake Catholic
Mondays during lunch

Eastlake North
Tuesdays during lunch

Mentor High
Wednesdays during lunch

Willoughby South
Thursdays during lunch

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School
Fridays during lunch

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Click here to learn more about the Student Career Opportunities Cardinal has to offer.

Student Advisor Internship Program

The internship provides hands-on learning opportunities that not only support financial literacy but also gives students valuable experience serving their school and community through real-world financial education.

STUDENT ADVISOR
INTERN OPPORTUNITIES

  • Build Real-World Skills: Develop a strong understanding of standard banking procedures and financial services.
  • Hands-On Experience: Practice cash handling, transaction processing, and auditing in a real banking environment.
  • Account Knowledge: Learn how to set up and manage personal bank accounts.
  • Marketing & Promotions: Contribute to the creation of marketing campaigns and social media content.
  • Resume Booster: Gain confidence and experience that will stand out on future job and college applications.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Choose shifts that fit conveniently into your lunch period.
  • Leadership Opportunity: Two volunteer teller roles are available per shift—gain experience in a trusted peer-facing role.

JOB INTERVIEW TIPS AND TRICKS

To begin Cardinal’s initiative of providing educational resources to all students involved in the student branch program, a short seminar on “Tips and Tricks to a Successful Job Interview” will be held during the lunch hours. This 20-minute session will be led by Cardinal’s Hiring Manager and is open to all students participating in the Real Accounts. Real Learning (RARL) course. This seminar will facilitate a forum where students can ask questions and receive feedback on how to successfully garner a job in the work force. These words of advice will serve them well as they continue toward career paths after high school.

Summer and Winter Break Internship Opportunities

Exceptional Summer and Winter Break internship opportunities are available to qualified students. Specialized work skills may be garnered through part-time employment with Cardinal in the following disciplines:

Accounting

Informational Technologies

Marketing

Lending

Retail Branch Operations

DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS

In addition to the personal and family financial literacy education components, the student branch will serve as a low-risk environment for the cultivation of hands-on work skills in a quasiretail setting.

Professional skills learned include:

  • The Financial Services Sector
  • Managing a Business
  • Working with Money
  • Customer Service Skills
  • Consultative Sales
  • Marketing and Promotions
  • Exposure to Basic Business Accounting Practices
  • Achieve Time and Resource Management
  • Solving Business Challenges
  • Setting and Achieving Business Goals
  • Managing People

Cardinal Credit Union Mad City Money Scholarship Competition

Cardinal Credit Union’s most successful and beloved educational initiative to date is Mad City Money, a hands-on financial literacy simulation licensed by the Credit Union National Association. Over the last four years, Cardinal Credit Union has provided $70,000 in scholarship money to Willoughby-Eastlake seniors.

Mad City Money is a type of competition designed to give young people a taste of the real world. Students are given jobs, income, a family, and debt in a futuristic setting known as “Mad City.” Their challenge is to effectively manage housing, transportation, food, household necessities, clothing, day care, and other wants and needs while building a budget.

In this practice space, students are presented with adult responsibilities such as occupation, salary, spouse, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. The program allows participants to make mistakes, and suffer the consequences of their decisions, in a realistic but safe environment.

Traditionally held in large facilities such as gymnasiums, Mad City Money events may be facilitated for large groups comprising as many as 100 students. School staff, educators, parents, and alumni are encouraged to participate.

Questions and Support

Cardinal Credit Union is proud to bring this program into your student’s classroom through our high school student branches.

Have questions? We're here to help. Please reach out to

Kelly H., Student Branch Development Manager

Back To Top
Search