SYLACAUGA — It may be easy to say you know about fiscal responsibility, but you really get put to the test when you begin handling other people’s finances.

Several B.B. Comer High students are ready to be tested, though, as they will now be manning a branch of Heritage South Credit Union located at the school as tellers.

Representatives from the Talladega County School System, Heritage South Credit Union and the city of Sylacauga were on hand for the ribbon cutting of the new “Tiger Branch” of the credit union.

B.B. Comer High principal Linda McAdam said, “This is going to give students real-life workplace experience, public relations experience as the tellers will be dealing with students and staff, and of course, they’ll learn financial responsibility.”

McAdam said the students had received training as tellers in the past few months, so they would be ready to get right to work. Fallon Brantley will be serving as an adviser for the students at the Tiger Branch.

Comer senior Mya Burton said she has already learned much about savings and financial responsibility in the program.

“I’m looking forward to helping the student body be more careful with their money,” Burton said.

Tiger Branch will be open Monday through Friday during the school’s advisory period at 10:25 to 10:55 a.m. It is located on the second floor of the high school.

Parents can purchase their students a prepaid debit card the students can pay school-related fees out of or if a parent or student has an account with Heritage South, he or she can log on to home banking and transfer money into the student’s account to cover needed expenses.

Students will also be able to make change and complete deposits and withdrawals during the Tiger Branch business hours. After school hours, students will be able to open accounts as well as talk to credit union staff about other money matters and questions they would like answered.

Heritage South CEO Daphne Harrell said due to the work of several people, the Tiger Branch was able to be installed and opened in a short period of time. “It’s one of Heritage South’s goals to be in local schools and teach and prepare them for the future.”

A similar branch was opened in October of last year at Sylacauga High School.

Talladega County School System Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Lacey said this type of activity fits right in with the school system’s push toward 21st century learning.

“It’s an opportunity for our students who have worked hard to connect to the real world,” Lacey said. “This seemed to be a perfect fit for our students.”