FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelsey Gallagher, Content and Digital Marketing Manager
kgallagher@penncommunitybank.com
267.644.6545
Innovative Initiative Brings Modern Financial Education to Youth and Young Adults Through Gaming
PERKASIE, PA (April 2025) – Penn Community Bank, the largest independent mutual bank in eastern Pennsylvania, has partnered with Bucks County-based Metro Esports and its chartable arm Digital Bridge Builders in a groundbreaking initiative to transform financial education. Marking the first-ever collaboration between a community bank and a tech-driven esports organization, this partnership modernizes financial literacy by meeting young people where they are – inside the world of gaming.
The Penn Community Bank Foundation has committed $50,000 to develop and launch Metro Esports’ Metro Money Lab powered by Penn Community Bank, a cutting-edge financial education program designed to equip youth and young adults with essential money management skills through gamification and interactive learning.
“For too long, financial education has been stuck in outdated concepts like balancing a checkbook – ignoring the way today’s youth actually engage with the world,” said Bernard Tynes, Executive Vice President & Chief Consumer Banking Officer at Penn Community Bank. “This partnership brings financial literacy into the modern era, blending it with gaming and technology to create real impact. We’re excited to support Metro Esports in making financial education engaging, relevant, and accessible to the next generation.”
The Metro Esports’ Metro Money Lab powered by Penn Community Bank integrates financial literacy into esports competitions, STEM programming, summer camps, and interactive gaming experiences at Metro Esports’ state-of-the-art gaming facilities. Additionally, the program ensures accessibility for all socio-economic backgrounds – including low- to moderate-income communities – by offering both in-person and remote learning opportunities, expanding its reach beyond the lab and into homes and schools. The curriculum will align with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) financial literacy standards, emphasizing financial empowerment for all.
“More than 215 million people in the U.S. play video games, with the majority of youth and young adults engaging in gaming regularly,” said Shaon Berry, Founder & CEO of Metro Esports. “By incorporating financial education into the gaming world, we can teach crucial money management skills in a way that is both natural and impactful. Gamification isn’t just about making learning fun – it’s about making it stick. With Penn Community Bank’s support, we’re ensuring financial literacy is accessible to students everywhere, regardless of background.”
Financial literacy is a crucial pillar of long-term well-being, giving students, youth, and young adults the knowledge and confidence to make smart financial decisions. By integrating these skills into gaming – where millions of young people already engage – Penn Community Bank and Metro Esports are ensuring that financial education isn’t just an afterthought but a core part of youth development.
Metro Esports currently reaches over 50,000 individuals across the area YMCA system to include Bucks, Hunterdon, Lehigh and Northampton county campuses in their custom gaming facilities. Additionally, several area school districts participate in its scholastic STEM programming, ensuring financial literacy complements existing academic focuses.
Through this first-of-its-kind collaboration, Penn Community Bank and Metro Esports are redefining how financial education is delivered – bridging the gap between financial literacy and the digital-first reality of today’s youth and young adults.
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About Metro Sports: Metro Esports, through its Digital Bridge Builders initiative, is dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing all communities with access to cutting-edge technology, gaming & education, and career development opportunities. By partnering with schools, community organizations, and corporate sponsors, Metro Esports empowers students and young creators with the tools, training, and resources needed to succeed in gaming, coding, content creation, financial and digital literacy. This initiative fosters overall growth in the tech and gaming industries, ensuring that talent from all backgrounds has a pathway to success in the digital economy.
About Penn Community Bank: Penn Community Bank holds more than $2.9 billion in assets, employs more than 300 people, and offers banking and lending services at financial centers throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. As an independent, mutual financial institution, Penn Community Bank is not publicly traded and operates with its long-term mission in mind: to help businesses grow and prosper, to provide financial resources to individuals and families throughout their lifetimes, to strengthen the local economy, and to partner with local organizations to act as a catalyst for positive growth in every market it serves.
