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Since Peggy Leimkuhler is a self-proclaimed “Philly girl,” it’s somewhat surprising to her that it took 87 years for Firstrust Bank and the Philadelphia Eagles to develop a business relationship. “I grew up in the Northeast,” Firstrust’s EVP and chief operating officer says. “And as we were looking at the deal with the Eagles, I was so excited, because the two organizations were born in Philly within a mile of each other. I thought, ‘What took us so long to get together?’ It feels like an easy click.”
The Eagles franchise began in 1933, and Firstrust was born a year later. In 2020, the neighbors connected with the goal of creating another strong Philadelphia team capable of bringing big things to the area. Now that the NFL is back at full strength and fans will be packing Lincoln Financial Field throughout the season, the partnership can reach its full potential. “Serving the community is a big part of who we are as an organization at Firstrust—and who the Eagles are,” Leimkuhler says. “It’s a good alliance, given those foundations. We understood corporate philanthropy before it was a thing, and we have been cultivating relationships with our customers and the community for decades.”
The Eagles are the same way. “They’ve always asked, ‘How can we make things better for the community?’ We’ve had a lot of exciting conversations about how to bring the two organizations together,” says Leimkuhler.
The partnership has several different components that will be evident to fans in a variety of ways, beginning with a program designed to help students at 30 Philadelphia high schools develop financial literacy and build entrepreneurial outlooks. The Firstrust Bank-Eagles Entrepreneurs Game Plan is designed to capitalize on the spirit Sam Green displayed when he founded the bank in 1934. Since it’s difficult for high schools to provide this kind of training, Firstrust and the Eagles have stepped forward. “We are run by an entrepreneur, [chairman and CEO] Richard Green, and the way the Eagles approach things is like that,” Leimkuhler says. “We want high school students to learn how to start and run a company. “We also want people to understand what it means to have financial literacy before they launch into adult life.”
The partnership will have another lasting impact on the community, thanks to Firstrust’s committing more than $1 million to the Eagles Autism Foundation, which promotes awareness, research and treatment of the conditional disorder. Both companies are also thrilled to help fans experience Eagles game days in more exciting ways. That will be evident to those who enter Lincoln Financial Field’s Pepsi Plaza, where a Firstrust experience will include games, giveaways and the chance to win merchandise, discounts and other special offers. Once fans reach their seats, they’ll see Firstrust signage atop the stadium. Leimkuhler describes it as “a tangible example of pulling the two brands together.”
The Firstrust Touchdown Terrace features a section of seats with its own dedicated bar and concessions. For those looking for a more upscale experience, there’s the Firstrust Bank Club, a members-only area that provides a premium experience in what was once the Eagles’
Touchdown Club. “We’ve made an investment to upgrade the space,” Leimkuhler says. “It feels like a tremendous experience the minute you walk in.”
Fans will also have a chance to connect with Firstrust once the game begins, thanks to a pair of new concepts. The first comes whenever the team enters the “Firstrust Red Zone,” the area inside an opponent’s 20-yard line. The video boards will flash red—Firstrust’s primary color—to denote the moment. And fans will have a chance to participate in Firstrust’s “Take It to the House” sweepstakes. If an Eagles player returns a kick or a punt for a touchdown during a home game, one lucky entrant will receive $150,000 toward his or her mortgage. Firstrust has also introduced an Eagles-themed checking account that provides customers with a black metal debit card featuring the team logo. Those who use that card to buy merchandise at the team’s pro shop will receive a 20 percent discount.
It’s all part of partnership more than 80 years in the making—and one that feels as if it’s been in force for a long while. “Firstrust and the Eagles are connected at so many levels,” says Leimkuhler. “When you have that much positive energy and brainpower working together to figure out what we can do for the city, it’s very exciting.”
Learn more at Firstrust.com/mainline or call 800-220-BANK.
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