Council Rock Education Foundation to Fund District-Wide Embryology Project with Support from Customers Bank

Newtown, Pa. (May 18, 2017) – Council Rock Education Foundation (CREF), a private 501(c)(3) non-profit that funds initiatives and provides advanced opportunities for students in the Council Rock School District, announces that Customers Bank has contributed $12,000 to support its 2017-2018 Embryology Project and other initiatives.

The Embryology Project is an innovative District-wide S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) project that will give more than 800 4th graders the opportunity to learn about the stages of embryonic development as they incubate, observe, record data, and hatch avian eggs. This interactive learning project enhances the current Council Rock School District 4th-grade curriculum.

“Contributions from Customers Bank and others are key sources of funding for student initiatives not covered by the annual school budget. Here at Council Rock we are most fortunate to have a very vibrant and robust Education Foundation and dedicated local businesses that support innovative programs to enhance our students’ learning experiences,” said Dr. Robert Fraser, Council Rock School District Superintendent and CREF Board Member.

The Education Foundation focuses on S.T.E.A.M. and creative programs that enhance curriculum. Since 2007, the CREF has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to local teachers and classrooms, directly impacting the education of thousands of students in the Council Rock School District.

“As a Team Member at Customers Bank, Co-President and Co-Chair of CREF’s Board, and a local parent, I see the impact that we have on students’ education – from the rocket launch at Holland Elementary School to the iPads and musical instruments that students use in the classroom,” said Kevin Beauparlant, Vice President at Customers Bank. “Customers Bank is dedicated to supporting local partners like CREF that are working to grow innovative programs that ignite our children’s passion for learning.”

Since 2007, the Council Rock Education Foundation (CREF) has proudly enhanced the learning experience of Council Rock students. In only ten short years, the Education Foundation, in partnership with generous donors, has directly impacted thousands of students by awarding more than 85 Innovative Learning Grants totaling more than $200,000 to Council Rock teachers and classrooms. These projects, not covered by the annual budget, engage, educate and inspire young minds through experiential learning, igniting their passion for continued education.

Customers Bank Customers Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company located in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania engaged in banking and related businesses through its bank subsidiary, Customers Bank. Customers Bank is a community-based, full-service bank with assets of approximately $9.9 billion that was named by Forbes magazine as the 35th Best Bank in America (there are over 6,200 banks in the United States). A member of the Federal Reserve System with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Customers Bank is an equal opportunity lender that provides a range of banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, individuals and families through offices in Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. Committed to fostering customer loyalty, Customers Bank uses a High Tech/High Touch strategy that includes use of industry-leading technology to provide customers better access to their money, as well as Concierge Banking® by appointment at customers’ homes or offices 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers Bank offers a continually expanding portfolio of loans to small businesses, multi-family projects, mortgage companies and consumers. BankMobile is a division of Customers Bank, offering state of the art high tech digital banking services with a high level of personal customer service.

Customers Bancorp, Inc. voting common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CUBI. Additional information about Customers Bancorp, Inc. can be found on the Company's website, www.customersbank.com.

From left to right; Ed Tate (Council Rock School Board President), Denise Brooks (Council Rock School Board Member), Mark Byelich (Council Rock School Board Member), Kevin Beauparlant (VP of Customers Bank), Gail Acosta (Executive Director of the Council Rock Education Foundation), Dr. Robert Fraser (Superintendent of the Council Rock School District)