A new era of sports fandom and community engagement is emerging in Chester, on the banks of the Delaware River, and spreading throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

WSFS Bank, the area’s oldest and largest locally headquartered bank and trust company, and the Philadelphia Union, our beloved Major League Soccer team, are helping WSFS customers and Union fans show their team pride with a co-branded debit card. More than just a payment tool, the debit card is a symbol of the loyalty that courses through the veins of the Union’s diehard supporters.

Beginning in 2022, the Union and WSFS Bank entered into a multi-year agreement that marked the latter’s first major sports partnership, which focuses on community platforms and fan engagement opportunities, among other initiatives.

“We’re proud to expand our Philadelphia Union partnership, so devoted fans can further show their Union pride,” said Justin Dunn, WSFS Bank’s Chief Marketing Officer. “The Union shares our strong commitment to the community, and we look forward to continuing to work together to create fun and meaningful opportunities for our customers and the region.”

The WSFS Bank Philadelphia Union Visa Debit Card boasts the team’s iconic blue and gold colors and proudly bears the Union crest. It’s a card designed not just for the transactional moments of life but for the transformational ones — it’s for the fans who chant until their voices are hoarse, who bleed team colors, and who support the Union through thick and thin.

“Commitment to the community and providing superior services are top priorities for both the Union and WSFS,” said Union President Tim McDermott. “This co-branded debit card will give fans a chance to highlight their fandom and show their passion for the club in their daily lives.”

The card’s features are a nod to the modern consumer’s needs: robust fraud protection, seamless digital wallet integration, and the ease of contactless payments, ensuring that whether fans are at Subaru Park or shopping in the city, they’re ready for anything.

But the story of the debit card is more than just its functionality; it’s about the fusion of two organizations committed to the prosperity and well-being of their community. The WSFS Bank Philadelphia Union partnership is a powerful alliance that extends far beyond the soccer pitch, as it has given rise to the WSFS Bank Sportsplex, a visionary project that promises to be a cornerstone of community engagement and athletic excellence.

The groundbreaking of the WSFS Bank Sportsplex in April 2023 marked the beginning of something extraordinary — a 170,000-square-foot complex that will not only serve as a training ground for the Union’s athletes but also as a hub for community events and youth sports programs. This facility is poised to inject an estimated $90 million into the local economy over the next 10 years and become a year-round destination for more than a half-million visitors.

“We are proud of the impact the WSFS Bank Sportsplex will have on Chester and the broader community,” said Rodger Levenson, WSFS Chairman, President, and CEO. “Our partnership with the Philadelphia Union is a great example of the positive change that two like-minded organizations with similar values can have by working together for the benefit of the communities we serve.”

Construction of the WSFS Bank Sportsplex marks a significant step in the development and revitalization of the Chester Waterfront that will create additional jobs and drive a drastic increase in revenue in the Chester community.

“The heart of this project is our commitment to community and our desire to be an agent for positive change,” said McDermott. “We are proud to do this alongside WSFS Bank and look forward to enriching the lives of young aspiring athletes in the Philadelphia area.”

Indeed, the Sportsplex is a testament to the power of sports to ignite economic engines and foster community ties, and WSFS Bank’s partnership with the Philadelphia Union exemplifies what is possible when a financial institution and a professional sports franchise both invest in a future where everyone thrives.

Learn more about how WSFS Bank and the Philadelphia Union are teaming up to make a difference.