JANET Spencer is doing her utmost to make sure students, renowned for their 'everlasting loans', become more budget conscious with their money. Janet is customer services officer at the Nat West bank on Deansgate and she's on hand to help with opening accounts and organising loans for all its customers. She's also the helping hand for the many students who call into the bank to discuss loans, overdrafts and management of their money in general.

Having already had vast experience of students and their money, or lack of it, Janet's role in the bank has now been expanded.

"Nat West have recently devised a scheme called 'Face 2 Face With Finance'," she explains.

"It's a programme taken into secondary schools to help students become more financially literate, which is essential in today's society.

"I go into schools and work together with teachers and pupils in the hope of making the students more 'money minded'."

The Face 2 Face With Finance programme is something that can be achieved within the curriculum and gives teachers an opportunity to work with a financial expert.

Janet, 36, who lives in Wigan, says: "Some schools may want to take advantage of the whole programme while others may just want to select a particular activity.

"Once that has been arranged I go to the school, armed with blank cheque books, stationary - everything needed for the role play situations I use."

The activities really do cover all aspects of finance. We have basic banking which helps students understand what banks do, different types of accounts and the practical use of managing an account.

"Then we have an enterprise section which involves students working in groups and starting up or running a business and a section targeted at students about to leave school and get a job or go to college.

"This section is called 'It's Your Life'. Many young adults start work without the knowledge that enables them to make informed decisions about their long-term financial future.

"A good example is students at college or university, many have money problems carrying on after they have left.

"This programme aims to help them budget, and I do that with practical exercises and role play.

"Working in small groups, students are given written details of a character whose personal finances they must consider and who they must provide advice for.

"The character's details enable the students identify with their individual's problems and opportunities.

"The aim is to encourage students the importance of managing their own money."

Janet added: "The only response I've had so far has been an excellent one so the programme is a great success."

But Janet still has to find space in her day for her duties in the bank.

"My time in schools varies so I need to make sure my banking duties don't suffer.

"But, with a little forward planning and organisation, it's all working out really well.

"And," she adds, "it's certainly given an extra dimension to my career."

*Further information on the programme is available by ringing 0800 505050.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.