The brass|STUDENT PROGRAM – Oregon, presented by First Tech Credit Union, is a statewide initiative to strengthen high school students' understanding of money by providing free personal finance resources and instructional materials to students and teachers. The Student Program officially launches this fall thanks to the generous support of First Tech Credit Union and Oregon Community Credit Union.

As one of the states most heavily impacted by the nation's current economic situation, the Student Program's primary goal is to help prepare Oregon's next generation to make sound financial decisions. Developed by brass|MEDIA Inc. to make money an interesting and relevant topic in the classroom, the Student Program reaches students and teachers through the web, video and its flagship publication, brass|MAGAZINE, a lifestyle money magazine written for young adults, by young adults.

"We are excited to bring the brass|STUDENT PROGRAM to our home state," remarked Bryan Sims, 26-year-old founder and CEO of brass. "Our goal is to reach out to young adults to help them prepare for the future. Understanding how money works is an essential life skill, but many young adults never receive adequate training on how to make money work for them."

"First Tech's core purpose is to help strengthen financial lives in the communities we serve," said Deborah Colby, vice president of marketing and business development. "That's why we are so excited to partner with the brass|STUDENT PROGRAM to bring financial education and much-needed support to Oregon's high school students."

In addition to providing public high schools across the state with classroom sets of brass|MAGAZINE Student Edition, the program also offers an online Teacher Resource Center. This interactive website connects educators across the nation and provides classroom materials to complement brass content. Teachers who are involved in delivering financial education are encouraged to register for the free classroom resources by going to: http://www.studentprogram.com/teachers. To find more information about the brass|STUDENT PROGRAM visit online at: http://www.studentprogram.com/or

Oregon joins New York and Wisconsin as the third state to offer the brass|STUDENT PROGRAM. The Student Program was first launched in 2006 after an overwhelming demand from teachers seeking copies of brass|MAGAZINE for use in their classrooms. Now entering its third year, First Tech Credit Union and Oregon Community Credit Union join the national effort of the brass|STUDENT PROGRAM to meet the growing need for financial literacy.

brass|MEDIA Inc. is a socially driven media and technology company dedicated to helping young adults better understand money. Through its flagship publication, brass|MAGAZINE in combination with other web, video and audio products and services, brass|MEDIA provides direct, intelligent, and entertaining information to young adults about the money side of life™. Find more information at http://www.brassmedia.com.

Established in 1952, First Tech Credit Union is a $1.9 billion institution committed to the financial well being of its 155,000 members located in all 50 states. First Tech operates a 17-branch network in Oregon and Washington with access to over 25,000 ATMs worldwide through the CO-OP Network. Over the years, First Tech has been recognized as an industry leader setting high standards for innovative financial services delivery. For more information, visit http://www.firsttechcu.com.

Oregon Community Credit Union, founded in 1956, provides checking, savings, certificates and money market accounts as well as mortgages, auto and home equity loans, and a full range of investment services. Oregon Community Credit Union operates 10 branches, in Eugene, Springfield and Salem. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties. For more information, visit http://www.oregoncommunitycu.org.