Stamford-based Webster Bank this week announced its plans to use $100,000 toward its first Connecticut “Webster Finance Lab,” which will work to help young people succeed financially.
The new finance lab will be based at Wakeman Boys & Girls Club’s planned Madison Avenue Clubhouse, which is opening in 2023 on Madison Avenue in Bridgeport.
Webster earlier this year launched two other finance lab programs ‒ in Yonkers and the Bronx, N.Y. ‒ and the bank says it is planning “several” throughout its footprint.
The program is funded by a $100,000 Webster Bank Charitable Foundation grant.
According to the bank, it aims to help its nonprofit partners in low-to-moderate income communities provide youths with financial skills.
Marissa Weidner, Webster’s chief corporate responsibility officer, said the Bridgeport lab will be the first of several which Webster will fund in New England.
The labs will provide students an opportunity to learn about finance while helping build the workforce of the future, according to Weidner.
Sabrina Smeltz, CEO of the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, said it is grateful its Madison Avenue location was picked.
“The Finance Lab will provide Bridgeport’s children and teens with insight into careers in finance, allow them to connect with finance professionals and learn the critical skills necessary to be fiscally responsible,” Smeltz said.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
