Bank of the West Partners with the World Business Exchange Network to Promote Global Trade and Entrepreneurship for Los Angeles High School Students

Los Angeles, CA Feb 13, 2006- For the third year in a row, Bank of the West is giving back to the community by partnering with the World Business Exchange Network/R.E.I.S. Foundation to promote and teach export trade and entrepreneurship to local high school students.

Students at King Drew Magnet High School of Science and Medicine and Crenshaw High School will have the opportunity to use resources from the WBE.NET data-base to learn how to conduct business overseas via the Internet in export trade.

The WBE.NET Global Internet Trade Course was created based on resources provided by the WBE.NET an on-line trade association that trains aspiring entrepreneurs and adults about international trade and entrepreneurship. The WBE.NET was created by businessman Mr. Roosevelt Roby in 1985. Roby like most of the parents who were displeased with the education of their kids decided to help after a news story was printed about the lack of resources available to high school students after graduation.

“I felt these kids were being ignored so I created a course that not only sparked their interest in learning but also gave then a chance to see that there are opportunities for them to do business rather then hang out on street corners, said Roby.

After years of banging down doors of academia, in 1998, Roby introduced the program to the LAUSD. After the program took Alain Leroy Locke High School off the list of the worst 100 in the nation to one of the most progressive in the nation, the course was then accepted as an approved course curriculum. 

 “ We are really excited to have the chance once again to work with the World Business Exchange Network to teach young students about doing business overseas,” said Hana Hrabec-Snyder, Vice President of the International Trade Division for Bank of The West.

“I find that students enjoy learning about business and banking because these aren’t areas they are exposed to every day, so whenever we have a chance to help these young minds we are always willing to step up to the plate,” she said.

Bank of the West has pledged to help more schools learn about the importance of international trade and entrepreneurship.

The course, which begins in late February at King Drew, will be offered after school and will focus on the entrepreneurial aspect of international trade. Students like the adults will learn how to conduct trade deals with overseas buyers and suppliers, how to write letters of credit, and how to use the Internet to conduct trade deals. In addition to school-work, students throughout the course of the semester will visit shipping sites, and also the International Trade Division for Bank of the West.

For more information about the course visit www.wbe.net/gitc or call 800-537-7347.

About Bank of the West

Bank of the West works to help improve the social and economic health of the many communities it serves. Throughout their history, Bank of the West has invested considerable energy and financial resources in pursuit of building stronger relationships with those communities.

In 2005, Bank of the West increased its community support plan to $75 billion in loans, investments, contributions and services to individuals, small businesses, companies and community based organizations throughout the banks markets. For more information about Bank of the West log on to www.bankofthewest.com.