Classes

Credit Assistance Workshops | Financial Counseling | New Start Checking | Smart Savers Curriculum

New Start Checking is designed for people who currently do not have an account with a financial institution. If this is your first time opening an account, or if you’re experiencing a problem opening an account due to mismanagement of a previous account, “New Start Checking” is the class for you. Once you have completed the “New Start Checking” class, you will receive a certificate to open an account. Simply take your certificate and required documents to a Park National Bank Personal Banker.

What you’ll learn:

• How to choose an account that’s right for you .
  
  • Low cost checking and saving options
    
  • How to manage a checking and savings account
    
  • Methods for avoiding costly checks
• What you need to know to keep your checking account in balance.
  
• How your account relationship can help you establish credit and access to other services.

The Smart Savers classes are available to people who qualify for the Smart Savers Individual Development Account program. These provide a good, basic financial education to help participants understand their finances and how to make the most of their money.

The course consists of seven sessions and can include classes like these:

• Taking Care of Your Gifts: Stewardship of Yourself
• Identifying Values and Setting Goals
• Assessing Attitudes about Money
• Saving for Your Goals
• Developing a Spending Plan: A Map to Your Destination (Goals)
• Anticipating Life Events and Managing Cash Flow
• Communicating about Money in Your Family
• Understanding Credit
• Using Financial Services
• Creating Wealth and Managing Finances

The Credit Assistance Workshops help people with credit issues to understand and improve their credit reports. It is also for people who may have low credit scores and have been turned down for a loan.

Those who have graduated from the two-session workshop can receive access to short-term emergency loans and secured credit cards.