Hanscom Federal Credit Union opens escape rooms, closes acquisition on a bank

Hanscom Federal Credit Union has launched a new “financial escape room” branch concept while also closing its previously announced acquisition of The Peoples Bank in Maryland. The move pairs a youth-focused, gamified financial education strategy with a geographic and asset expansion into the Mid-Atlantic region.​

What happened

• Hanscom Federal Credit Union opened escape room–style “Questing” or “WealthTrek” experiences in at least one of its new branches, using game-like puzzles to teach visitors about budgeting, saving, and other money skills. These are marketed as a free, family-friendly financial education activity rather than a traditional sales environment.​

• At roughly the same time, Hanscom completed a purchase-and-assumption transaction of the majority of assets and liabilities of The Peoples Bank, based in Maryland, after receiving all regulatory and shareholder approvals.​

Details of the bank acquisition

• The acquired institution is The Peoples Bank (Peoples Bancorp, Inc.), headquartered in Maryland, which now operates under the brand “Peoples Powered by Hanscom Federal Credit Union.”​

• The deal was structured as an all‑cash purchase and assumption of most of Peoples Bank’s assets and liabilities, with Peoples Bancorp to liquidate remaining assets and distribute cash to shareholders as it winds down.​

• After closing, Hanscom reports about 2.1 billion dollars in total assets, more than 115,000 members, and 23 branches across Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia. All Peoples Bank employees were retained, and branches will continue operating under their existing name until systems conversion expected in summer 2026.​

What the escape rooms are

• Hanscom’s escape-room experiences (branded as WealthTrek/“questing”) are designed to feel similar to commercial escape rooms, but the puzzles are tied to real-world financial decisions such as managing debt, setting goals, and building savings.​

• The credit union positions these experiences as part of a broader wellness and education focus rather than conventional banking, using the interactive format to attract younger consumers and community groups.​