Spotlight on Partnership: First Mutual Bank + Kanawha Elementary

We’re excited to welcome a new collaboration to the Partner In Education program! First Mutual Bank, based in Belpre, OH, with branches in Parkersburg and New Martinsville, WV, has teamed up with Kanawha Elementary School, creating a meaningful connection that’s already making a difference.

The focus of this partnership is financial education, with First Mutual offering resources that go beyond the classroom. From empowering students with early financial literacy skills to helping families better understand their economic landscape, the bank is committed to long-term, community-rooted support.

Tammy Belcher, President and CEO of First Mutual Bank, shared her enthusiasm for this initiative:

“First Mutual Bank believes in investing in the success of students by sharing financial education to help them succeed later in life. We want to empower the educators and students by providing financial education, but also assisting in understanding the local needs facing our education system.”

At Kanawha Elementary, the impact of the partnership is already resonating. Principal Stephanie Agee emphasized the broader value of this collaboration:

“It shows our students that they are supported not just within the school walls, but by a broader network that believes in their potential. Our hope is that this partnership continues to grow and becomes a model of how schools and partners can work together to create meaningful, sustainable change.”

This partnership is an excellent example of how local businesses can step up to support not just education, but the whole ecosystem of learning and family engagement.

Jill Parsons, Chamber President & CEO, added:

“First Mutual Bank and Kanawha Elementary exemplify the kind of collaboration the Partner In Education program was built for—one that creates lasting benefits not just for students, but for the entire community.”

We’re proud to highlight this growing partnership and look forward to seeing how it evolves!

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