In The News 29 October 2026

Hillsboro Christian Academy opens student-led branch of Atomic Credit Union

The Highland County Press - Staff Photo - Create Article
Members of the student-led Hillsboro Christian Academy Atomic Credit Union branch pose on their first day of work with representatives from Atomic Credit Union. (Photo by Colin Ryan.)

By Colin Ryan
Hillsboro Christian Academy

Hillsboro Christian Academy is opening a student-led branch of Atomic Credit Union in a partnership with ACU. The HCA branch of ACU began on Oct. 23 with 20 students opening accounts with the new organization on its first day. 

The student-led group handled deposits from students of all grades, pre-K through grade twelve, as part of their initiation.

Mason Howell of Atomic Credit Union is the team leader for the HCA student-led branch at HCA. Howell provided background information on this project, stating, “For more than a decade, Atomic Credit Union has recognized the critical importance of financial literacy in shaping the future of young people across southern Ohio. Through our innovative Student-Run Credit Union program, we have been able to provide students with hands-on financial education, empowering them with real-world skills in saving and budgeting. Starting in the Jackson City School District, during the 2011-2012 school year, Atomic Credit Union created a new partnership – the Student-Run Credit Union. As of this October, the Student-Run Credit Union has partnered with more than 100 schools, in 39 school districts, across 13 counties.”

The students are working in various capacities as part of their experience including bookkeeping, data entry, and branch management. Services are available once a week at HCA. The students at HCA are learning valuable skills that can possibly translate to full-time, paid positions in similar careers after graduating. Howell also added, “Every school that Atomic Credit Union partners with receives three $500 scholarships. These can be used in college, trade schools, or any other form of higher education.”

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