On Thursday, February 27th at 1:00 pm in the Dr. Rudolph Waters Classroom Building in the Brain K. Johnson Auditorium, the Business Department hosted a Wells Fargo Financial Literacy Workshop. The guest speakers for the event were Ashley Fitzgerald, the Branch Manager of Wells Fargo Ridgeland and Jarvis Ewing, the Branch Manager of Wells Fargo Ridgewood.
Ewing, an alumnus of Jackson State University, began his career in banking in 2009 as a bank teller and rose through the ranks as Bank Supervisor at Fort Sill National Bank, a Personal Banker and then Assistant Financial Center Manager at Cadence Bank, Associate Branch Manager at Wells Fargo then in March of 2024 he became the company’s Branch Manager. Fitzgerald, a graduate of Wayne State University, began her banking career in 2012 and held the following positions from Teller, Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR), Personal Banker, Service Manager, to now, Branch Manager.
During the presentation, the two touched on many different financial topics which dealt with how to save money and how to have a better knowledge of credit. One key aspect that the panelists focused on with the audience was why they should consider having a checking or savings account over other forms of banking such as Chime and Cash App. Ewing informed the attendees that using a checking or savings account versus Chime and Cash app is a safer option due to the security banking services that Wells Fargo brings. He used the example of, “If you lose your money with Cash App or Chime, then your money is gone,” but went on to explain that if you deal directly with a bank that that bank will ensure your money for up to $250,000 if it is lost. Both speakers went on to discuss the different features that banks introduced in their new apps such as the ability to freeze your card to prevent transactions in case it is stolen and text and email alerts about all movement made within your account.
After the presentation had concluded, the duo held a Question-and-Answer session and answered questions the audience had about finances. Later, Ewing and Fitzgerald were both presented with gifts bags from the Business Department as a token of appreciation for the knowledge that they provided to the students.
For more information on Alcorn’s Business Department, you can contact Dr. Anton D. Woods, Dean of the School of Business at Alcorn at adwoods@alcorn.edu or (601) 877-6458.
