Wesson High Seniors Gain Real-World Money Skills Through Trustmark Program

 Special to Wesson News

Brister speaking to classes on the Co-Lin Wesson campus.

Building good money habits early can help students succeed later, says Brittany Brister, branch manager at Trustmark in Wesson.

Brister, who has worked at the Wesson branch for about two and one half years, spoke about credit, savings and fraud during recent visits to local schools. She is making a similar presentation at Wesson Attendance Center, focusing on how credit works, at Wesson Attendance Center this month.  She spoke to 71 seniors at Wesson High School.  They played credit Jenga and munched on snacks and reviewed promotional items.  

“I enjoy helping customers achieve their goals,” Brister said. “I also like being part of the community.”

During her school talks, Brister explains how young people can start building credit. She recommends secured loans or a line of credit as safe first steps. She also says teens can become authorized users on a parent’s credit card, as long as the parent uses the card responsibly.

Brister says students should also learn how to protect their money. She warns that scams and fraud are common and can affect anyone. “Be careful,” she says. “Fraud is everywhere right now.”

With the school year ending, Brister encouraged graduating seniors to open student checking and savings accounts. She says starting early can help students manage money better as they enter college or the workforce.

Brister’s goal is to give students simple tools they can use right away. “Understanding money now can make a big difference later,” she says.