A good understanding of banks and the banking industry are important in a quality business education. Focusing students early in the semester on the three major characteristics of banks and their place/importance in the economy that make them special establishes a solid foundation upon which to build a good understanding of the industry. However, getting students to engage the subject can be challenging. Typically, students' knowledge of banking is very limited at the beginning of the semester. This lack of knowledge, and other issues, often contribute to their lack of engagement in class. The use of an online discussion forum to engage students has many benefits. Instructors in online, as well as face-to-face classes can utilize this type of discussion forum. Effective use of an online discussion forum allows the instructor to encourage student engagement with the material as well as student-student interaction. A well-designed online discussion assignment leads to increased student engagement, critical thinking, and better student satisfaction with the educational process.