BrandBank Launches Educational Partnership with Meadowcreek High

Atlanta, GA – March 2015 – BrandBank is proud to announce the launch of an educational partnership between the bank and The International School of Business at Meadowcreek High School in Norcross, GA.  The venture is a collaborative public/private initiative aimed at promoting practical learning experiences as part of the school’s Meadowcreek U Program.

The objective of the International School of Business at Meadowcreek U (ISB) is to improve:

  • Academic achievement;
  • High school graduation rates;
  • College advancement rates;
  • Local median income level by preparing students to enter career fields paying a livable wage; and
  • The successful integration of business education for student career path success and workforce readiness.

Partnering with BrandBank on the ISB curriculum and offerings are:  NCR, Equifax, FDIC, FHLBank of Atlanta, HOPE, LLC., Gwinnett County Judicial System, Morris/Schneider/Wittstadt, NEX Atlanta, The U.S. Small Business Administration, Valuation Management Group, 3D Community Development, Enterprise, Kids Business Expo, Latin American Association, Foundations for Living, Chef Omar Powell, Shuma Sports, Stevie Baggs, Garrard Construction Group, and several other community partners.

“To provide a high horsepower program and the best results possible, you need to have the involvement and commitment of first rate individuals, companies and organizations,” says BrandBank CEO, Bartow Morgan, Jr.  “The team assembled for this initiative represents some of the country’s finest corporate citizens and governmental agencies. It is a privilege for us to work with them to provide this unique and powerful educational venture.”

Several ISB offerings and internships are available during the 2014/2015 school year, including the newly-opened Capital City Home Loans Entrepreneurship Center.  This center serves as a program staging area and work space, as well as a meeting area and internship facility.  The center also offers a BrandExpress equipped with a Virtual Teller Machine (VTM), allowing customers to have real-time, face-to-face conversations with a BrandBank Sales and Service Specialist.

“Capital City Home Loans wants to bridge the gap between academia and practical application in the business world, by providing students with the relevant tools and resources needed to become sustainable business owners, leaders and homeowners,” says Greg Shumate, CEO and Managing Partner of Capital City Home Loans.  “We are proud to lead the charge for the change in how public-private partnerships impact our next generation.”

Bartow Morgan adds that having a BrandExpress inside the school will enable teachers and BrandBank staff to directly collaborate on meaningful lessons while providing students the opportunity to see how business is transacted on a daily basis. 

“The International School of Business will provide a true academic advantage for Meadowcreek High School students and is a perfect fit for the school’s Meadowcreek U Program,” he says. “As with Meadowcreek U, the ISB will connect students with real-life applications and experiences focused upon specific secondary education and career paths.”

The ISB is one of the academies offered at Meadowcreek, and in this partnership, BrandBank  is focusing on the Ford Next Generation Learning model, a national platform which has proven successful in transforming student achievement and preparing students for college and career readiness.

“We are energized about the opportunities that the International School of Business will provide our school, Meadowcreek U and our students,” says Meadowcreek Principal, Dr. Tommy T. Welch.  “I am very confident that a long-term community-based partnership like this will result in the classroom being even more relevant to students’ post high school experience and success.”

The Capital City Home Loans Entrepreneurship Center and BrandExpress Grand Opening will be on Thursday, March 19, 2015.  Contact Deirdra Cox at 757-342-4096 for more information.

About BrandBank

BrandBank was chartered as The Brand Banking Company in 1905 and is the oldest bank in Gwinnett County, GA.  With total assets of $1.9 billion, the full service bank is committed to combining authentic personal service with the benefits of modern technology.  In addition to operating branches in Buford, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Grayson, Lawrenceville, and Snellville, BrandBank also has a loan production office in the Buckhead area of Atlanta and BrandExpress locations in Buckhead, Suwanee, and Winder.  Member FDIC

About Capital City Home Loans

Standing tall on their century-long history of operations with respect, trust, and integrity, Capital City Home Loans is a subsidiary of The Brand Banking Company – which was founded in 1905 and is one of the oldest privately-owned banks in Georgia.  Capital City Home Loans is focused on being the best and strongest lender in the Southeast and, while they provide loans in 10 states, the full-service lender has never outgrown their Georgia roots.  Offering a wide variety of mortgage finance products, they help each and every client choose the best options to fit their budget and meet their individual needs.  Capital City Home Loans strives to take the guesswork out of the application process and explains all of the options in simple, straightforward language so their clients feel comfortable and secure with their decision.  To learn more about Capital City Home Loans and their broad assortment of mortgage finance products, please visitwww.brandmortgage.com.

About Meadowcreek High

Meadowcreek High serves students in grades 9-12. The school, located at 4455 Steve Reynolds Boulevard, serves approximately 3,500 students. Meadowcreek U is an academy model that provides hands-on learning experiences to students in areas of their interest. “Our goal is to transform business and civic engagement with the local school to create a more authentic hands on learning environment,” says Meadowcreek Principal, Dr. Tommy T. Welch.  “ Learning is best when shared in a collaborative environment focused on transferable skills that lead to college and career readiness. Our partnership with BrandBank and Capital City Home Loans provides relationships that will extend into the business community providing hands-on experience as well as valuable networking opportunities.  It is truly our goal at Meadowcreek to not just increase and maintain student achievement at high levels, but to change lives in the process.”