The AIB Build Bank Challenge 2009/2010

The AIB Build a Bank Challenge is a fun initiative for Transition and 5th Year students to run their own School Bank with the support of AIB. Now in its 8th year, we have made some changes based on previous participants feedback, which we think will make it more rewarding and interesting for you and your school!

What is the AIB Build a Bank Challenge?

The AIB Build a Bank Challenge is a competition where a team of six students per school are involved in the setting up, running and day-to-day management of a bank in their school. The School Bank Team has the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of banking from sourcing new customers to opening AIB accounts and encouraging regular savings and new ways to bank such as AIB Phone & Internet Banking. The School Bank Team will also have responsibility for providing ongoing customer service for their customers and keeping accurate financial records. In fact, everything it takes to run a bank! The challenge involves Regional Finals throughout the country in March where schools compete against other schools for a place at the National Final in May. There are lots of prizes to be won along the way for both the school and the individual team members.

How does it all work?

• All schools that participate in the AIB Build a Bank Challenge are invited to attend a Regional Final and present their School Bank.
• At each Regional Final, three Category Winners (Best Teamwork, Best Exhibition and Best Customer Loyalty) and one overall winner are chosen and awarded a specially commissioned trophy for reaching this stage. The four winning schools at each Regional Final will win both a school prize and each individual on the team will also win a prize. Only the overall Regional Winner goes forward to the National Final.
• At the National Final, all the Regional Winners compete and present their School Bank. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are announced and the three winning schools are awarded a school prize, plus each individual on the team will also win a prize.
• We will select at least one 'Wildcard' from the Regional Finals to go through to the National Final.

So what's new this year?

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the National Finals will win an Interactive White Board for their school.
• All School Banks up and running by the 30th November 2009 will be entered into a draw and the winning entry will be filmed on how they set up and run their bank, which will be shown at the National Final.
• The top 10 Business Plans submitted by the 21st December 2009 will win a voucher worth EUR150 for school supplies/equipment.
• New national prize category for 'Best Newcomer' to award those schools who are participating in the AIB Build a Bank Challenge for the first time.
• School Bank marketing budget has been increased from EUR50 to EUR75 per school.

So what's involved?

Each school Bank will have six positions; one Bank Manager, one Assistant Manager, one Auditor, two tellers and one Sales & Marketing Executive.

• Students will be interviewed and appointed to the various positions and group feedback will be provided. Students gain interview and CV writing experience.
• Full training will be provided for each of the positions within the School Bank Team. Students will also be trained on the operation of their School Bank. .
• Each School Bank Team will be given a marketing budget to get them up and running and will be given full guidelines as to what this can be used for in the context of the AIB Build a Bank Challenge.
• The School Bank will be opened at least once a fortnight supported by a local AIB representative.
• Each School will also receive a comprehensive School Bank Pack with everything needed to run the Bank, including a detailed Operating Manual.

Note: Immediate family members of AIB staff are not entitled to apply for positions in the School Bank.

Terms and conditions apply. Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Financial Regulator.

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