Commonwealth University to Offer Minor in Banking

Commonwealth University’s Zeigler College of Business will offer a minor in banking starting this fall. 

The minor in banking offers students comprehensive training in the financial services field, combining rigorous academic coursework with hands-on experiential learning. By completing the minor, students will be prepared for a wide variety of career opportunities within the financial services industry. 

“We are very excited to be the only institution in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education to offer a minor in banking,” said Todd Shawver, dean of the Zeigler College of Business. “This new offering will allow us to fill a need within the financial services industry and is perfect for those who are interested in specializing in this field.”

According to the Department of Banking, Conference of State Bank Supervisors, and other financial services regulators, financial institutions in the U.S. are increasingly confronted with the problem of proper succession planning. As senior executives and career employees approach retirement, banks face the challenge of transferring institutional knowledge to new team members while maintaining the same level of excellence. 

Banks and their regulators recognize that there is a great need for creating the pipeline of qualified individuals to replace aging workforce at financial institutions and regulatory agencies and to address the workforce development problem on the state and national levels.

The curriculum includes essential courses in finance, commercial bank management, and financial risk and enterprise risk management. Students will have an opportunity to engage in practical activities, including bank case competitions, visits to financial institutions, job shadowing, and internships, which further enhance their experience and understanding of the field. 

For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Geyfman, professor of finance, at 570-389-4562 or vgeyfman@commonwealthu.edu.