JA Banks in Action is a volunteer-led program built around eight classroom sessions. During each session, students learn the fundamentals of the banking industry and then have the opportunity to apply what they learn in a competitive environment using the JA Banks in Action computer simulation. Through the simulation, students form banking teams and operate a bank over time by making several decisions, each of which represents three months or a calendar quarter. Competing banks are doing the same thing and the banks start out on an equal basis. The banking team that develops the best strategy and makes a greater profit than its competitors is the winner, earning the title "Bank of Choice."

Concepts – Banking, Banking careers, Central bank, Human capital, Interest rates, Liquidity, Long-term deposit and loan products, Marketing, Products, Profits, Research and development, Reserve, Reserve requirement, Rule of 72, Services, Short-term deposit and loan products, and Spread

Skills – Active listening, Analyzing information, Computing, Cost-Benefit analysis, Critical thinking, Data analysis, Decision-making, Following directions, Group discussion, Interpreting information, Math computation, Problem solving, Public speaking, Reading, and Teamwork

JA Banks in Action includes a program kit containing eight instructional sessions and a computer simulation. It is recommended for students in grades 9-12.

All JA programs are designed to support the skills and competencies identified by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. These programs also augment school-based, work-based, and connecting activities for communities with school-to-work initiatives.

Additional information on the program can be found on JA Worldwide's website. A video of JA Banks in Action is also available for viewing.