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Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg to take part in 2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition

Bloomsburg, PA (05/04/2023) — Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg is among eight Pennsylvania colleges and universities that will take part in the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) 2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition this year.

Bloomsburg students involved in the competition are Jacob Bodenschatz, Melannie Egan, Peter Eklund, and Alexis Schoonover, while Emma Fortune is the student videographer. Victoria Geyfman, professor of finance, is the team advisor for Bloomsburg.

"It is exciting to see Pennsylvania's young minds passionate about community banking and the role these institutions play in the financial ecosystem," said Acting Secretary Hammer. "Community banks contribute to our local economies in many ways, from funding Little League teams to employing residents to giving small businesses their first line of credit. Their connection to our communities is invaluable. It is imperative for us - regulators, government officials, and community leaders - to continue to encourage young people to get involved in this space to keep moving these vital financial institutions forward."

Now in its ninth year, the Case Study Competition offers undergraduate students from all fields of study the opportunity to partner with local community banks to gain first-hand knowledge of the banking industry.

This year, teams are tasked with examining how community banks are positioning themselves for success and sustainability as they face a competitive job market, succession challenges and changing consumer needs. Each student team will learn how its bank is recruiting and retaining talent, approaching success planning, and using technology to advance its operations.

Each student member and faculty advisor of the first-place winning team will receive a $1,000 scholarship and present their findings at the Community Bank Research Conference. Their work will be published in the annual CSBS Journal of Community Bank Case Studies. Teams that place second and third will also receive scholarships and have their works published in the journal.

There will be three rounds of judging and results from the first two rounds will be announced on May 31 and June 7. The top three teams will be announced at the State Federal Supervisory Forum in Philadelphia on July 12.