Teams from Pennsylvania have placed in the top three spots for five out of the last six years in this nationwide competition, which pairs undergraduate student teams with local community banks to explore real-world financial topics.
Harrisburg, PA – Students from three Pennsylvania colleges are competing in the 2025 Community Bank Case Study Competition, hosted by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS). Thirty-five student teams from 27 colleges and universities across the country are participating in this year’s competition.
“The Community Bank Case Study Competition gives students a unique opportunity to learn from financial industry leaders and exposes them to experiences and opportunities they cannot get anywhere else,” said Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) Secretary Wendy Spicher. “It also highlights the vital role community banks play in supporting the communities they serve. We’re proud to see Pennsylvania so well represented again this year.”
The three Pennsylvania teams and their partner banks are:
- Messiah University working with Bank of Bird-In-Hand
- Rosemont College working with Asian Bank
- Ursinus College working with Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust
Now in its eleventh year, the competition pairs undergraduate student teams with local community banks to explore real-world financial topics. This year’s theme focuses on the impacts of interest rates and inflation on the banking industry, with an emphasis on branch strategy, technology, and regulatory burden. Pennsylvania schools have placed in the top three spots for five out of the last six years:
- In 2024, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania earned first place, partnering with First Citizens Community Bank in Mansfield, Tioga County.
- In 2023, Messiah University placed third nationally, working with LinkBank in Camp Hill, Cumberland County.
The student teams are competing for an academic scholarship, a chance to get their work published in the CSBS Case Study Journal, and an opportunity to present their work at the Community Bank Research Conference this fall. CSBS will announce teams that advance to the second round on June 3 and the top three teams on July 14.
DoBS regulates financial services and promotes consumer and investor education and outreach across the Commonwealth. The department is accredited by CSBS as well as the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators and National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors, and is a member of the several national regulatory organizations, including North American Securities Administrators Association, National Association of Consumer Credit Administrators, and Money Transmitter Regulators Association.
To better serve Pennsylvanians, Governor Shapiro launched a centralized consumer protection hotline, website, and email — 1-866-PACOMPLAINT, pa.gov/consumer, and consumer@pa.gov — making it easier than ever to report scams, resolve financial or insurance issues, and access help from the Commonwealth. No matter the issue, consumers will be routed to the right agency for assistance.
To learn more about DoBS visit pa.gov/dobs, subscribe to the department newsletter, follow us on Facebook, X, or LinkedIn, or check out our Jobs at DoBS webpage to learn more about joining our team.
MEDIA CONTACT: Joan Z. Nissley, DoBSComm@pa.gov
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