1st Summit Bank Launches ASCEND 250: The First Program in the United States to Build the Next Generation of Banking Leaders

As an uncertain future looms heavy on the minds of today’s high school graduates, and others debate the future of work, 1st Summit Bank decided to just build a more promising tomorrow.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--1st Summit Bank today announced the launch of ASCEND 250, a first-of-its-kind program in the United States: a three-year paid apprenticeship that provides high school graduates with a direct, structured pathway into the banking profession while developing the next generation of well-rounded leaders. Unlike traditional bank training programs that focus on a single discipline, ASCEND 250 develops future leaders across every function that drives institutional success: strategy, marketing, operations, finance, human resources, and technology.

The program addresses a problem hiding in plain sight across the banking industry. As many banks across the country shrink their workforce and use modern tools to run lean, who will train the bankers of tomorrow? ASCEND 250 is built on the premise that if we start with ambitious and deeply curious young adults and teach them how to see across every function in an industry, understand how they connect, and provide opportunity for growth, we will build a workforce that uses artificial intelligence, as opposed to being replaced by artificial intelligence.

Upon completion of the program, graduates receive a seven-year employment guarantee with 1st Summit Bank, along with preferred financing on a home loan, a vehicle loan, and a professional wardrobe allowance—a comprehensive foundation designed to accelerate their path to financial independence. The program launches in September 2027 for the high school graduating class of 2027.

ASCEND 250 participants spend their first 18 months rotating through every major department of the bank—strategy, marketing, operations, finance, human resources, and technology—building a comprehensive understanding of how a financial institution actually works. In the second phase, participants choose a discipline and spend the next 18 months in deep, focused immersion, developing specialized expertise on top of their broad foundation. Throughout both phases, participants complete a rigorous curriculum, including required reading, coursework, written papers, and examinations—an education designed to build not just knowledge, but critical thinking.

The program is intentionally demanding. It is not an easier alternative to college. It is a more direct and structured path, designed for individuals who are ready to take ownership of their development and their future. 1st Summit will partner with ten local high schools within its footprint to identify and interview top candidates for the program.

Penn Highlands Community College will play an integral role in providing foundational academic instruction, while the Kelken Group will deliver a best-in-class learning experience for banking-specific studies through a custom-built learning management system that reinforces knowledge in a practical, applied environment.

"Launching this program was the easiest decision I’ve ever made," said Allison Johnson, CEO of 1st Summit Bank. "We get the privilege of identifying sharp, hungry students whose ambitions may not match current opportunities available to them. We get to show them an entire industry in the classroom while working in our bank the remainder of the day, turning theory into earned knowledge. Finally, we get to help provide them a life, not only free of uncertainty, but a life that comes with a guarantee of a home and meaningful work in this community for years to come."

The program also reflects a broader conviction about the future of work. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, 1st Summit believes that long-term success will depend on human intelligence, judgment, adaptability, integrity, and the ability to think independently and act with purpose. ASCEND 250 is designed to cultivate those qualities in a generation that needs them most.

For many young people today, the traditional path, a four-year degree paired with significant cost and an evolving job market, can feel uncertain and complex to navigate. ASCEND 250 is not a replacement for that experience; it’s a different path forward. Through the program’s partnership with Penn Highlands Community College, it offers a clear, structured route to capability, stability, and a career with genuine long-term potential.

“ASCEND 250 reflects exactly the kind of innovation our region needs,” said Steve Nunez, President, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “It is a clear, affordable pathway that connects education directly to meaningful careers. At Penn Highlands, we are proud to partner in delivering the academic foundation that helps students not only succeed in banking, but build adaptable skills for a rapidly changing workforce. This program creates opportunity, stability, and a strong sense of purpose for students right here in our communities.”

Timed to coincide with America's 250th anniversary, the program takes its name from the founding belief that opportunity in this country should be earned, not inherited, and that, with the right investment, it remains within reach.

1st Summit Bank encourages other financial institutions, businesses, and industries to consider how they can similarly invest in the next generation. The challenges ahead will not be solved by systems alone. They will be addressed by individuals who are prepared, capable, and confident in their ability to contribute.

ASCEND 250 represents 1st Summit Bank’s long-term commitment to developing the talent, leadership, and resilience our communities will depend on.

We would like to give special thanks to the school districts who have helped shape this program with their feedback and support, including: Blacklick Valley School District, Bishop McCort Catholic Academy, Conemaugh Valley School District, Ferndale Area School District, Forest Hills School District, Greater Johnstown School District, Portage Area School District, Richland School District, Westmont Hilltop School District, and Windber Area School District.

About 1st Summit Bank
1st Summit Bank is a community-focused financial institution committed to delivering personalized banking solutions while investing in the long-term strength of the communities it serves. With a focus on responsible growth, innovation, and service, 1st Summit Bank continues to build on a legacy of trust and performance.