Metro Credit Union

Metro Credit Union, Massachusetts’ largest state-charted credit union, today announced its ongoing commitment to the education of local high school students in the midst of the coronavirus emergency. Despite the ongoing pandemic, Metro has continued its educational and scholarship programs that provide resources for local high school students to improve their financial literacy while also granting opportunities for exceptional students to receive funds to use toward college expenses.

Massachusetts School Bank Association’s Banking Bowl
Annually, students from Metro’s high school branches in Peabody and Chelsea compete in the Massachusetts School Bank Association's Banking Bowl at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the in-person event was cancelled this year. However, students from both branches were able to compete in the essay portion of the competition focused on the importance of financial literacy. This year’s winners include:

• Jessica Valerio, Chelsea High School, Senior, Essay Contest Winner, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Elaine Nguyen, Peabody High School, Junior, Essay Contest Winner
• Liliana Cunha, Peabody High school, Senior, Essay Contest Winner, North Shore Community College

Metro Credit Union Scholarship Program
Each year, Metro encourages high school seniors who are members of Metro Credit Union, or who have a parent or guardian who is a member, to apply for the chance to receive $1,000 towards tuition. This year, thirteen scholarship recipients who have been accepted to an accredited undergraduate program were selected on the basis of academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, statement of goals and aspirations, unique personal or family circumstances, and an outside appraisal. This year’s recipients include:

• Grace Jung, Natick High School, Tufts University
• Cameron Garber, Arlington Catholic, Springfield College
• Estefany Barrios Robles, Lynn Classical High School, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Marie McCarthy, Salem High School, University of New Hampshire
• Greer Ballam, Innovation Academy Charter School, Endicott College
• Sean Morrison, Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School, Westfield State University
• Annika Brink, Ipswich High School, Redeemer University College
• Jonnai Howard, Newton South High School, Howard University
• Christina DiCostanzo, Reading Memorial High School, Bryant University
• Emily Hendren, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Tarleton State University
• Jennifer Tucci, Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, University of New Haven
• Anish Patel, Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School, Boston University
• Nicholas Israelson, Saugus High School, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Graduating High School Branch Students
This year, Metro also awarded $6,000 in scholarship money to its graduating high school branch students. These students have demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership while working directly alongside Metro employees inside of the branches, learning the real-world skills they’ll need to succeed after high school and beyond. This year’s recipients include:

• Liliana Cunha, Peabody High School,
• Liam Finnegan, Peabody High School
• Thaicha Erazo, Chelsea High School
• Jessica Valerio, Chelsea High School
• Jennifer Ruiz-Hernandez, Chelsea High School
• Daniel Valdes Jr, Chelsea High School
• Michelle Zavala, Chelsea High School
• Emely Espinal, Chelsea High School

“We are incredibly proud of the high school students in our communities for persevering and remaining focused during these challenging times,” said Robert Cashman, CEO and president. “It’s our pleasure to reward them for their hard work and we look forward to seeing what’s in store for them in the future.”

Additional Educational Opportunities Available Through Metro
In addition to providing educational opportunities for high school students, Metro remains committed to making financial education accessible for everyone. MoneySense is an online interactive program powered in partnership with financial education company EverFi that helps people of all ages manage money today and prepare for a secure financial future. Metro also offers first-time home buying seminars, investment seminars, and free education and guidance throughout the year to its members.

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About Metro Credit Union
Metro Credit Union is the largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts, with $2.3 billion in assets. Metro provides a full range of financial products to more than 225,000 members in Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, Barnstable, Bristol and Worcester counties in Massachusetts, and Rockingham and Hillsborough counties in New Hampshire, as well as to employees of over 1,200 companies through its Metro@work program.

Founded in 1926, Metro currently operates 14 branch offices in Boston, Burlington, Chelsea, Framingham, Lawrence, Lynn, Melrose, Newton, Peabody, Salem, and Tewksbury. Metro is also a Juntos Avanzamos (“Together We Advance”) designated credit union, an honor given to financial institutions for their commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant consumers. Learn more at MetroCU.org. Metro Credit Union is closely monitoring the COVID-19 emergency and working with members who are impacted. For more information about access to our branches and how to manage your accounts remotely during this time, please visit MetroCU.org/access.