Archive for month: May, 2025

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Saving the Local Environment. Prevail Collects & Shreds Nine Tons of Paper.

Prevail Bank is a community bank that takes seriously its vision of making a lasting, meaningful, and positive impact. This year, as a result of its free community shred days held at each of its nine branches, nearly 9 tons of paper (17,887 lbs.) was collected and shredded, saving 151 trees.

“Sustainability and building a better tomorrow for our customers and the next generation are important to us,” said Nathan Quinnell, Prevail Bank President. “Working together to pursue what’s possible is what Prevail Bank does best.”

Pictured is a Confidential Records representative and a Prevail Bank -Eau Claire professional assisting a customer in transferring her confidential papers to a bin for immediate on-site shredding.

In addition to bolstering the environment, $11,387 was divided between nine local nonprofits: United Way of South Wood & Adams County (Wisconsin Rapids), Friends of the Old School (Owen-Withee), Children’s Miracle Network (Marshfield), People Helping People / Adopt a Veteran Program (Baraboo), Humane Society of Marathon County (Wausau), Operation Horses Heal (Medford), YMCA of the Chippewa Valley (Eau Claire), Catkins Animal Rescue (Phillips), and CAP Services / Women & Children’s Shelter (Stevens Point). Prevail Bank donated a dollar for every pound of paper collected, up to $1,000 per location. Ultimately, Prevail Bank gifted $8,597; the public donated an additional $2,790.

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Asset Builders Holds Annual Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl State Championship

Wisconsin Bankers Foundation grant recipient Asset Builders held their annual Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl (FICB) state championship tournament on Wednesday May 21, 2025, in Madison. FICB is an interactive educational game designed to help promote financial literacy and awareness among high school students.

Using a quiz bowl format, high school students representing schools from across the state face off as they are tested on their knowledge about personal finance, business, economics, and current events. Two teams make their way through the competitive brackets to battle for the FIBC “cup.”

 

This year’s results:

  • First Place – State Champion: Nicolet High School
  • Second Place: Northland Pines High School
  • Final Four: Oshkosh West High School
  • Final Four: Rhinelander High School
  • Consolation Champion: Menomonie High School

Asset Builders Executive Director Richard Entenmann and FICB final round quizmaster Matt Moore with US Bank, Milwaukee congratulated the teams from Northland Pines High School and Nicolet High School on making it to the championship round.

If you’re interested in getting involved as a volunteer for FICB, visit www.ficbonline.org or contact Asset Builders’ co-founder and executive director Richard Entenmann. There are numerous opportunities to volunteer at 14 regional competitions held throughout Wisconsin during the school year leading up to the state championship in the spring.

Kudos to the financial industry volunteers and donors who supported FICB this year!

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Steve Lonigro New Director of Retail Banking at Fox Valley Area Bank

Steve Lonigro

Wolf River Community Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Lonigro as their new Director of Retail Banking.

He succeeds Heather Wunderlich, who previously held the role and has now transitioned into a new position as Assistant Vice President – Treasury Management.

In this role, Heather will focus on enhancing our business relationships and expanding treasury solutions for our commercial clients.

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Spring Bank Supports WBA Power of Community Week

During WBA Power of Community Week Spring Bank asked their employees and customers to donate to the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative.

The bank’s lobby was filled with lots of food and home items for homeless veterans. The bank ended the work week with a bowling event on Saturday to raise money for breast and prostate cancer.

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Horicon Bank Expands With Hiring of Nicholas Hiltz as Mortgage Lender

Nicholas Hiltz

Horicon Bank is pleased to welcome Nicholas Hiltz (NMLS #759701) as their new Mortgage Loan Originator in Wauwatosa. This strategic move supports the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding its presence and better serving the needs of homebuyers in Milwaukee.

With more than 14 years of experience in the mortgage and financial services industry, Hiltz has a strong track record of helping clients navigate the home loan process with confidence and clarity.
President Fred C. Schwertfeger extended a warm welcome to Hiltz:

“Nick is a seasoned professional who understands the needs of local homebuyers and shares our relationship banking values,” said Schwertfeger. “We’re excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to the impact he will have in helping families across Milwaukee achieve their dream of homeownership.”

In his role, Hiltz will focus on building relationships with homebuyers, real estate professionals, and community partners to deliver tailored mortgage solutions and personalized services.

Hiltz expressed his enthusiasm about joining Horicon Bank, stating, “I am thrilled to be joining Horicon Bank to support its mission of doing good for homeowners in Milwaukee. There’s so much potential in this area, and I look forward to making home financing easier and more accessible for everyone in the community.”

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Executive Letter: More Advocacy in Action

From the Desk of Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

The banking industry has been very active this spring with our legislative advocacy at the state and federal level. I am excited to share that, once again, we had incredibly strong participation from Wisconsin bankers last week when WBA joined with ICBA for their annual Capital Summit in Washington, D.C. This year, 21 Wisconsin bankers, two ICBA staff members, and one person from FHLBank of Chicago joined Daryll and me for Congressional Hill visits on key banking industry legislation. Between our two spring Washington trips, we had 43 bankers (several of whom joined us for the first time) join WBA this year, which is a number we have not seen since pre-COVID years. Thank you all for listening to our requests to increase your personal involvement in these critical advocacy trips!

Like last month, the timing of our Hill visits last week Wednesday was fortuitous as both tax policy and cryptocurrency were hot topics in Washington D.C. As you see in the news, there is a lot of focus on passing the House reconciliation bill, labeled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and sending it to the Senate. This legislation is certainly not without a lot of controversy; however, when the tax portion was first published by the House Ways and Means Committee, WBA was very excited to see a modified version of the ACRE Act included. This is extremely significant because out of hundreds of requests for new tax law changes, only a handful were included and modified ACRE is one of them. Without significant grassroots involvement from the industry over the last several congressional sessions, I do not think this provision would have been included. I am pleased to share that currently Reps. Steil, Fitzgerald, Van Orden, and Pocan are co-sponsors of the stand-alone ACRE Act legislation.

In addition to discussing tax policy and the ACRE Act, there was a lot of dialogue with each Wisconsin congressional office on cryptocurrency. It is expected that the GENIUS Act in the Senate will be up on the floor for a vote this week, and the STABLE Act is expected to progress further in the House soon. Primarily our message was to mitigate stablecoin risks while protecting against community bank disintermediation. Other topics covered included Section 1071 legislation, Credit Card Competition Act, the Farm Bill, and Trigger Leads.

The Wisconsin bankers who joined Daryll Lund and me on this trip found it to be very educational and productive. Without question, WBA is more impactful when constituent bankers help deliver messages to elected officials. I encourage all of you to consider joining WBA next year for one of our two annual Washington Trips, or later this year when we meet with regulators (not legislators), October 16–17, 2025.

Thank you to the bankers who attended the WBA/ICBA Capital Summit!

  • Justin Adamski, The Pineries Bank, Stevens Point
  • Robin Christian, Premier Community Bank, Marion
  • Brooke Frehse, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Marinette
  • Rachael Gadbois, The Pineries Bank, Stevens Point
  • Mike Gargaro, Citizens First Bank, Trempealeau
  • Jeff Gruetzmacher, Royal Bank, Lancaster
  • Dale Hans, Horicon Bank
  • Donna Hoppenjan, Mound City Bank, Platteville
  • Shane Ilstrup, Citizens First Bank, Trempealeau
  • Jimmy Kauffman, Bank of Sun Prairie
  • Sue Loken, Lake Ridge Bank, Middleton
  • Hope Markhardt, Lake Ridge Bank, Madison
  • Josh Marron, Park Bank, Madison
  • Paul Northway, American National Bank Fox Cities, Appleton
  • Mike Olson, The Bank of Brodhead
  • Butch Pomeroy, International Bank of Amherst
  • Lonnie Przybylski, International Bank of Amherst
  • Dan Ravenscroft, Royal Bank, Elroy
  • Julie Redfern, Lake Ridge Bank, Verona
  • Ron Schaaf, The Bank of New Glarus
  • Justin Wroblewski, The Stephenson National Bank and Trust, Marinette

Thanks also to these individuals for joining our group:

  • Dave Feldhaus, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
  • Julie Hanson, ICBA
  • Sean Murphy, ICBA
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Bank Five Nine Donates $10,000 to Support Family Fun Before the 4th in Mequon and Thiensville

Pictured: Kris Barger, Bank Five Nine Mequon Branch Manager with the Family Fun Before the Fourth Board

Bank Five Nine is thrilled to announce its $10,000 sponsorship of Family Fun Before the 4th, a beloved community celebration taking place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Mequon and Thiensville, Wisconsin.

Held annually the Saturday before Independence Day, Family Fun Before the 4th is a high-energy, family-friendly event that brings the community together for a day of food, fun, and patriotic celebration. Attendees can look forward to a wide selection of delicious food and beverages, live entertainment, and a grand finale fireworks show that lights up the night sky at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs and settle in for a spectacular day in the park.

As a community bank dedicated to making lives better, Bank Five Nine continues to invest in local traditions that strengthen connections and celebrate togetherness. Family Fun Before the 4th is entirely volunteer-run and would not be possible without the support of sponsors, donors, and the enthusiastic participation of area residents.

To learn more about the event, visit https://www.familyfunbeforethefourth.com.

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Traci Argall Promoted to Vice President – Project Management at Bank First

Traci Argall

Bank First (NASDAQ: BFC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Traci Argall to Vice President – Project Management. “Traci brings strategic insight and a hands-on approach to everything she takes on. Her leadership has been key in moving several major initiatives forward, and we are excited for the opportunities ahead.” stated Matt Longmeyer, Senior Vice President – Technology Director.

Since joining the Bank in late 2023, Traci has played a key role in advancing several high-impact initiatives, including implementing a new account opening platform, early phases of the online banking upgrade, and enhancements to the commercial loan system. She has also contributed to process improvements within the consumer lending area. With her promotion, Traci will be working closely with product management across the Bank, helping to ensure strong alignment between project execution and overall product strategy.

Traci has over 30 years of experience in project leadership, end-user training, and business process improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She lives in Plymouth with her husband, Neil, and their two children. They recently purchased a lake home on Silver Lake in Wautoma, and renovating the property has quickly become a favorite weekend pastime.

Visit www.bankfirst.com for more information.

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Safe Internet Browsing Tips to Keep Your Bank Secure Online

By Alex Hinsch, Technical Account Manager, Locknet Managed IT, A WBA Associate Member

Community banks in the Midwest are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to their limited IT resources, making them vulnerable to phishing attacks, malware, and data breaches. Implementing secure web browsing practices across the workforce can be one effective tool to help protect your organization. Below are essential tips to safeguard your organization from cyber threats.

Understanding Secure Web Browsing

Secure web browsing involves practices that protect corporate information, privacy, and data from cyber threats like phishing scams, malware, and data breaches. By adopting these strategies, community banks can mitigate risks and ensure a safer online environment for their operations.

Top Ten Safe Internet Browsing Tips for Community Banks

1.  Implement a secure web gateway: Secure web gateways filter malicious websites, prevent access to dangerous content, and block malware, serving as the first line of defense against online threats.
2.  Educate employees on phishing and social engineering: Regular cybersecurity awareness training can help employees identify suspicious emails, avoid clicking on unknown links, and verify website authenticity before entering credentials.
3.  Enforce strong password policies and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use strong, unique passwords for each online account and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all business accounts to add an extra layer of security.
4.  Use secure and updated browsers: Ensure that all company devices use the most secure internet browsers with automatic updates enabled. Opt for browsers with built-in security features and options to block suspicious websites.
5.  Restrict access to risky websites: Implement content filtering policies that restrict employee access to high-risk websites, including those associated with gambling, adult content, and pirated software.
6.  Deploy endpoint security and antivirus software: Equip all company devices with reputable antivirus software that includes real-time scanning, web protection, and automatic updates to detect and block cyber threats.
7.  Encourage the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): For remote employees or those working from public Wi-Fi networks, use a company-approved VPN to encrypt internet traffic and prevent hackers from intercepting sensitive data.
8.  Limit administrative privileges: Grant administrative access only to essential personnel to minimize the risk of malware installation and unauthorized changes to security settings.
9.  Monitor and log web activity: Regularly monitoring employee web activity can help identify potential security risks. Use web filtering solutions and endpoint security platforms to track internet usage and detect suspicious behavior.
10.  Establish a clear internet usage policy: A well-defined internet usage policy sets expectations for employees regarding safe web browsing habits, outlining guidelines on acceptable website usage, prohibited activities, and consequences of violating security protocols.

Final Thoughts on Secure Web Browsing

Implementing these safe internet browsing tips can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks. Prioritizing secure web browsing protocols, employee education, and proactive security measures can go a long way in protecting your bank. Foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness to create a safer digital environment for employees and customers alike.

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Advocacy Update: Advocacy is an Investment in Our Industry’s Future

By Lorenzo Cruz

Minimizing risk, building relationships, investing in communities, and improving lives are the pillars of banking — and the foundation of our approach to advocacy. As bankers, we are entrusted with protecting and growing our customers’ assets. Similarly, through government relations, we work to safeguard and advance the interests of the banking industry in the legislative, regulatory, and judicial arenas.

Advocacy is essential. It helps neutralize threats and seize opportunities that benefit our institutions, customers, and the communities we serve. Just as we manage financial risk, we must also manage political risk — and that requires consistent engagement at all levels of government.

The Wisconsin legislative session is well underway. The WBA government relations team is actively advocating on key issues including credit card fees, trust code updates, ESG regulations, credit union powers, privacy, and artificial intelligence. Budget deliberations are in full swing, with lawmakers weighing tax cuts and funding for K-12 education, higher education, health care, corrections, and transportation. The Joint Finance Committee’s votes are expected in May, with final floor action likely in June. While budgets are usually signed by early July, this year may stretch longer.

Meanwhile, politics remain highstakes. The recent State Supreme Court race was the most expensive nonpartisan judicial contest in U.S. history, with spending exceeding $100 million. These spending levels underscore the ongoing volatility and importance of staying politically engaged.

Bankers play a crucial role in WBA’s advocacy efforts. One of the most impactful ways to contribute is through financial support of Wisbankpac or the Alliance of Bankers Conduit, which fuels our ability to support pro-banking candidates and policies. Our 2025 goal is $300,000, and we need leadership from every corner of the industry to get there.

We urge bank Presidents and CEOs to join the Leadership Circle and ensure their institutions achieve Gold Triangle recognition. Senior management and board members are encouraged to give at the Silver Triangle level. All employees — managers and staff — can make meaningful contributions of $125, $250, $500, or more. Every dollar supports allies who understand and champion our industry in Madison and Washington, D.C.

These investments deliver real results. Thanks to WBA’s advocacy and the support of our legislative partners, Wisconsin enacted the first-ever income tax exemption on commercial loans of $5 million or less — a landmark achievement projected to save banks over $24 million annually. This legislation is now a model for other states, showcasing the power of political engagement.

To maintain this momentum, we must continue building relationships, expanding our influence, and supporting advocacy programs. In addition to giving, consider participating in events like Capitol Day, the Kohler Issue Advocacy Outing, Milford Hills Sporting Clays PAC event, Take Your Legislator to Work Day, or by becoming an Advocacy Officer and working toward BIGG (Bankers Involved in Grassroots Government) recognition.

Your investment in WBA advocacy isn’t just a contribution — it’s a strategic move that protects our future and drives real returns.

Cruz is WBA vice president – government relations.

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608-441-1200

4721 S Biltmore Ln.
Madison, WI 53718

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