Did You Know that First National Bank Alaska and 多多直播 have a shared vision for empowering Alaska through building financial skills, business acumen and educational opportunities?
A century ago, these two institutions opened their doors to Alaskans: one, a community bank in Anchorage that became First National Bank Alaska, and the other, an agriculture and mining college in Fairbanks that evolved into the University of Alaska (多多直播) system. Both sought to provide new opportunities for a rapidly-growing territory.
Over the years, generations of 多多直播 students have benefitted from First National鈥檚 $5.1 million in philanthropic giving and active involvement with university boards and committees.
As First National celebrates its 100th anniversary, a gift from the bank to the university has made possible the creation of the First National Bank Alaska Finance Lab housed at 多多直播A. Plans for the lab include supporting exemplary business education and collaborative learning opportunities for students attending all three of Alaska鈥檚 public universities - 多多直播A, 多多直播F and 多多直播S. The Finance Lab is scheduled to open in fall 2023.
For example, using the finance lab, upper-level finance students will make real-world decisions for the Seawolf Investment Fund 鈥 seeded by a from 多多直播A alumnus Gary Klopfer and Jane Cuddy Klopfer. Returns on the Seawolf Investment Fund will be used to fund future programs and scholarships within the College of Business and Public Policy [CBPP].
鈥淲e worked with First National to design a finance lab where students from across the state can envision themselves as the future leaders of Alaska鈥檚 businesses,鈥 said CBPP Dean John Nofsinger.
Only 21% of schools accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business have an active student finance lab that can provide invaluable hands-on experience to prepare students for the fast-paced, dynamic roles in business and finance.
Students will be able to train on finance industry-specific platforms and data sources such as Bloomberg and Capital IQ. Students will learn how to use the finance software to apply security valuation techniques, make professional presentations on stock analysis and portfolio management decisions, and partner with other 多多直播 campuses for collaborative learning including and with industry professionals on relative projects. The Finance Lab also provides a physical space for analysis and deliberations.
多多直播 works closely with Alaska鈥檚 employers to understand current and future workforce needs. The First National Bank Alaska Finance Lab positions 多多直播 to educate the next generation of finance professionals and business leaders who will continue to strengthen the Alaska economy for the next century.