Community State Bank (CSB), a 125-year-old locally owned and operated community bank in Southeast Wisconsin, is pleased to announce several changes to its Board of Directors.
Peter Huck announced his retirement as Chairman and CSB Board Member
effective at the end of 2023. Peter served for three decades on CSB’s Board of Directors. In January 2024, CSB was pleased to appoint his daughter, Sarah Huck, as his successor to the Board.
Sarah Huck brings over 20 years of experience as a civil litigation attorney and is a lifelong resident of Southeast Wisconsin. She proudly represents the 3rd generation of her family on the CSB Board, following in the footsteps of her father Peter Huck (1994 – 2023) and her grandfather Clifford Huck (1966 – 1994).
Joining Sarah on the CSB Board is Russ Weyers, President and CEO of Pioneer Products based in Racine, Wisconsin. Weyers began his service on the bank’s board in February 2024. Alongside his current position at Pioneer Products, Weyers brings extensive expertise as a former community banker with over 37 years of senior-level experience in the field.
“Serving on the Community State Bank Board provides me with the opportunity to
continue my passion for community banking,” Weyers stated. “Community banking is the backbone of the economy and Community State Bank is a great organization that has been part of Southeast Wisconsin for many years.”
In addition, Gary Schildt, a respected member of the board since 2012, assumes the role of Board Chairman. Schildt began as Chairman in January 2024 and will play a pivotal role in guiding both the bank and holding company boards.
“I am deeply honored to have served on the Community State Bank Board of Directors for the past 12 years,” stated Schildt. “I am now thrilled to step into the role of Chairman and contribute to steering CSB towards continued success. Community State Bank’s Board is unique in that all of our Directors have very strong ties to the communities that we serve. We genuinely care about the success of Southeast Wisconsin and I believe that is a crucial element for a thriving community bank.”
These changes and appointments enhance the existing Board of Directors, which consists of local community leaders and generational members: Chris Antonneau, Rita Hagen, Michael Bannon, Jeffrey Ehrhart, Scott Huedepohl (Bank President & CEO), Adam Swantz, Chris Miller, and Brian Pollard.
For more information about Community State Bank and the Board of Directors, please visit CSB online at CSB.bank.
March 21, 2024, was a busy day in Madison with Governor Tony Evers signing over 50 bills into law, including the following list in order of Act numbers. A full list of the bills signed into law yesterday may be found at: https://www.wsaw.com/2024/03/21/gov-evers-takes-action-over-50-senate-assembly-bills/
Note: Regarding SB 616 (now Act 146), the Department of Revenue has posted an updated form instructions and Common Questions to their website.
Senate Bill 759, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 127:
- Makes several changes related to trusts, including administration, adopting the Uniform Powers of Appointment Act, adopting the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, and creating an exception under the general marital property law allowing digital property to be classified as individual property if certain criteria are met.
Senate Bill 773, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 128:
- Repeals the requirement that financial institutions provide advance notice to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) before the acquisition, placement, or operation of off-site ATMs.
- Makes it a Class H felony to intentionally cause impairment or interruption to any ATM or customer bank communications terminal.
- Expands the authority of credit unions to purchase, lease, hold, and convey certain real estate, subject to guidance from the Office of Credit Unions.
- Allows credit unions to issue or offer supplemental forms of capital, in the form and with the conditions specified by DFI. All applications for supplemental capital would have to be approved by DFI in writing and obtained before the issuance of the supplemental capital.
- Requires the board of a credit union to fill a vacancy on its board of directors within 90 days of the position becoming vacant, no matter the cause.
- Extends, from 30 days to 60 days, the time during which the Office of Credit Unions must determine whether an activity or power that becomes authorized for federally chartered credit unions should also be authorized for Wisconsin-chartered credit unions.
- Extends the time credit unions have to pay for their required examinations to 30 days after the completion of the examination.
- Removes the restriction on savings and loan associations that require all the loans they provide to be within a 100-mile radius of their office.
- Eliminates disclosure requirements that require lenders to notify a residential mortgage borrower in writing of: (a) the reason(s) for an adverse action on an application (unless a notice as required under federal law is delivered); (b) whether an application fee is refundable; (c) whether the interest rate and other terms of the agreement may change before the closing date; and (d) if the loan servicing for the residential mortgage is sold.
- Repeals certain disclosures required of lenders related to variable rate loans, including disclosure of the index used and its current base and the rights of a borrower concerning a change in the interest rate.
- Extends the maximum maturity date of a promissory note issued by a municipality, county, or school district from 10 years to 20 years.
- Increases, from $400,000 to $1,000,000, the maximum amount of compensation DFI can provide to the state or any local government in this state for losses resulting from the deposit of public money in a failed financial institution.
Senate Bill 626, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 129:
- Allows for a notary public to notarize the creation and execution of a limited financial power of attorney for a real estate transaction for a remotely located individual.
Senate Bill 898, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 130:
- Creates a procedure for estate planning documents to be notarized and/or witnessed remotely.
- Modifies the requirements and procedure for executing certain estate planning documents.
Assembly Bill 574, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 131:
- Creates a regulatory framework for earned wage access service providers, regardless of whether they are physically located in Wisconsin.
- Requires these companies to be licensed by DFI.
- Establishes requirements for providers of earned wage access services to Wisconsin residents to protect consumers.
Senate Bill 628, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 132:
- Defines a “vulnerable adult” as an adult who is at least 65 years of age or who has a physical or mental condition that substantially impairs their ability to care for their needs.
- Defines “financial service providers” to broadly include many financial institutions, including banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, mortgage brokers, insurance companies, and check cashing services.
- Allows financial service providers to:
- Create a list of persons the vulnerable adult authorizes to be contacted if financial exploitation is suspected.
- Notify certain individuals about the suspected financial exploitation, including the adult’s spouse or adult child; any co-owner, signatory, or beneficiary of the vulnerable adult’s account; and any person on the vulnerable adult’s list of authorized contacts on their account.
Senate Bill 485, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 133:
- Expands the crime of robbery of a financial institution to include creating circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the use of force was imminent, making it a Class C felony.
Assembly Bill 742, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 138:
- Makes various technical changes to statutes related to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) to remove obsolete provisions, eliminate certain ties to dates in the past, and reflect changes in technology.
- Removes the requirement that a property assessment change made by a board of review be made using red ink on the assessment roll and instead requires the clerk to enter the board’s new valuation and a note about the change from the assessor’s valuation into the assessment roll.
- Repeals the requirement that a sales tax exemption certificate issued by DOR be presented to claim the sales tax exemption for insulin, patient health care records, and farm-raised fish.
- Incorporates several technical changes to the Wisconsin Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.
- Updates certain references to, and incorporates definitions from, the Internal Revenue Code to claim the married persons tax credit.
- Repeals a lottery prize provision that applied to prizes awarded on or before Oct. 21, 1998, and would modify the requirement that lottery drawings must be videotaped and audiotaped to allow for digital video recordings to satisfy this requirement.
- Repeals a provision that requires a local board of review to compel the attendance of witnesses at the request of the person objecting to their property tax assessment. This provision was ruled unconstitutional in Metropolitan Associates v. City of Milwaukee in 2011.
- Removes obsolete tax deductions, credits, and exemptions for certain internet equipment purchased before July 1, 2009.
- Repeals obsolete references to tax incremental financing districts that are closed. These provisions would take effect on January 1 after publication of the act.
Senate Bill 616, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 146:
- Creates a sales tax exemption for the sale, storage, and use of portable machinery and equipment used for roads and commercial lot construction and resurfacing.
- Extends the capital gains exclusion to family members who inherit certain farms organized as a partnership or limited liability company.
- Allows the state lottery to engage in 50/50 games by clarifying the lottery would be exempt from posting estimated prize payouts and odds when the price or odds of winning are dependent on the number of participants.
- Shortens the time period in which a person can claim a winning ticket for the lottery share of a secondary or subsequent chance lottery drawing when the prizes are one-time events, such as trips or concerts. Wisconsin residents are currently excluded from these games.
- Increases the withholding threshold for employers of nonresidents from $1,500 to $2,000 to match the income tax filing threshold for nonresidents.
- Allows the department to extend the due date for Wisconsin qualified opportunity fund to file a Form WQOF.
- Extends the maximum number of years someone can serve as an appointed board member of a local exposition district from six years to nine years.
- Makes technical modifications to certain provisions related to 2023 Wisconsin Act 73.
- Makes technical clarification to the income and franchise tax exemption created in 2023 Wisconsin Act 19.
- Provides DOR position authority.
Assembly Bill 793, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 148:
- Makes modifications to the individual income tax treatment for contributions to and withdrawals from section 529 college savings accounts (529 accounts) and the employee college savings account contribution credit.
- Increases the maximum amount that can be deducted from contributions to a 529 account to $5,000 for most filers and $2,500 for married-separate filers.
- Requires the use of a first-in, first-out accounting method for determining which withdrawals would be added to adjusted gross income and would restrict the use of carryover contributions in excess of the maximum deduction threshold if the carryover amount was withdrawn within 365 days of being first contributed.
- Links the definition of “qualified higher education expense” to federal law, which has been expanded to include expenses for apprenticeship programs and qualified education loan repayments.
- Modifies the tax credit that employers may claim for contributions to employees’ 529 plans by increasing the maximum amount to the greater of 50 percent of the contribution or $800, adjusted annually for inflation.
Dennis Sampson, Senior Vice President and Director of Commercial Lending at Ixonia Bank, has been recognized as a 2024 Notable Commercial Banking Leader in a special editorial feature by BizTimes Media, that recognizes accomplished professionals who serve the financial needs of businesses across the region.
“I have been in banking in the Milwaukee area for 40 years, and Dennis is one of the best lenders I have ever worked alongside with,” states Mark Wierman, Ixonia Bank President. “He is a true team player and consummate professional. He is well-liked and respected by his colleagues and his clients.”
Greg Larson, Ixonia Bank CEO, adds “We congratulate Dennis for this recognition. His commitment and expertise have not only helped propel our organization forward, but have also contributed greatly to his clients’ success.”
Dennis’ impact on Ixonia Bank comes not only from his own high level of performance, but also from how he leads his team of commercial bankers. Dennis leverages the valuable lessons from his time in the Army Reserves to lead by example, consistently dedicating extra time to meet with and mentor the Bank’s junior lenders.
Dennis’ lending expertise encompasses both commercial real estate and commercial / industrial loans. His specialties also include providing financing and leasing for service and technology-focused businesses and manufacturers. He is also well-versed in complete treasury management solutions including the latest fraud protection solutions for business. Additionally, he has excellent credit skills, and is also strong at new business development.
Over the last two years, Ixonia Bank has welcomed five new lenders to the team, and Dennis has excelled in integrating them into the fabric of Ixonia Bank’s culture. The results have been impressive, with Ixonia Bank growing its loan portfolio by over 20% in 2023.
Dennis is based out of Ixonia Bank’s Main Office in Ixonia at W1046 Marietta Avenue.
One Community Bank is delighted to announce that Jonathan Schalow, Senior Vice President and Director of Client Experience, has been named its newest member of the Senior Leadership team. Jonathan earned his Master of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Management Services from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
“Jonathan has been in the banking industry for 15 years. His passion for supporting colleagues and serving clients is demonstrated through the meaningful growth of the Client Contact Center. He has a wealth of client experience and knowledge and is a huge asset at One Community Bank. Jonathan currently oversees the leadership of the Client Contact Center,” said Steve Peotter, President and CEO.
“I am thrilled for this next chapter of my career at One Community Bank. I look forward to continuing to serve clients as expectations evolve in the digital age. I am enthusiastic about surpassing these evolving standards while maintaining the unique essence of One Community Bank’s community banking experience,” said Jonathan.
He is dedicated to supporting colleagues and serving clients. He also enjoys being involved in his community and supporting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dane County, through serving on the Bowl for Kid’s Sake committee.
Jonathan currently resides in Evansville, and outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family, competitive bowling, and boating.
Township Bowl in Hillsboro, Wisconsin was awarded a $25,000 grant through their partnership with Royal Bank on behalf of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s (FHLBank Chicago) Community First® Accelerate Grants for Small Business (Accelerate Grants).
Township Bowl is a bowling alley, bar and restaurant that’s been serving the Hillsboro area for over 70 years. Current owners, Lonny and Hedy Shore, purchased the business in 2022 and have been working to update bowling lanes, expand the kitchen and make necessary repairs to the building while maintaining the nostalgic feel.
Heavy rains fell in the area causing extensive damage to the building’s aging roof. The damage resulted in water entering the building and required immediate action to fix the roof and repair interior damage. This unexpected expense was a shock to the new business owners and a significant setback to their goal of growing their business.
Through their partnership with Royal Bank, the Shore’s worked with their loan officer, Brian Banker, to apply for grant funds to help cover costs incurred from these unanticipated events. “Our tagline is Your Community Partner and we truly believe in supporting and investing in the communities we serve,” said Banker. “We know that what we invest here will be circulated to help keep our community strong and connected. We’re thrilled to partner with FHLBank Chicago in this program to help sustain our local economies long into the future.”
“We are so thankful for our partnership with Royal Bank to help cover these unexpected costs,” said Lonny Shore, co-owner of Township Bowl. “Thank you only begins to scratch the surface of the appreciation that’s felt. This grant has allowed us to continue focusing energies on improving our business and serving the community.”
Royal Bank has a strong history of working with FHLBank Chicago by offering fixed-rate home loan lending using the FHLBank Chicago’s Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program. The mission of FHLBank Chicago is to partner with members in Illinois and Wisconsin to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable rate on their investment, and support for community investment activities. The Accelerate Grant funds are intended to assist the growth and development of small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin, creating economic opportunity in the communities that FHLBank Chicago members serve.
Spring Bank is delighted to welcome Egle Vaske as a commercial lending officer. Vaske, with her 15 years of experience in banking, mainly in commercial lending, adds considerable market expertise to our esteemed team. She excels in creating tailored financial solutions for businesses, especially small privately held companies. Vaske is committed to facilitating the success of her clients through customized products and services. Her dedication to fostering growth and driving economic development.
The Board of Directors of The Equitable Bank, S.S.B. and TEB Bancorp, Inc. is pleased to announce that Jennifer Provancher, a director since 2005 and vice chair since 2021, will now serve as Chairman of the Board for both entities beginning April 1, 2024.
This announcement coincides with Ms. Provancher stepping back from her role as chief executive officer. Tom Sattler, current president, will assume the roles of both chief executive officer and president of both entities. The role of chairman will keep Ms. Provancher connected to the bank’s management team during this time of transition.
“I have worked closely with Jenny for the entirety of her outstanding career here at the Equitable Bank,” stated John Matter, former chair and recently appointed vice chair of the Board of Directors. “I am happy to see Jenny assume this new role of leadership that will continue to complement the team that she has assembled and surrounded herself with. I look forward to supporting her ongoing leadership of this organization.”
Ms. Provancher has a combined 38 years of experience between The Equitable Bank and its subsidiaries. She has recently completed her term as a member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Bankers Association where she also served as Audit Finance Committee Chair and she is recognized as a leader within the banking industry.
Ms. Provancher held various positions at another financial institution in Milwaukee beginning in 1983, and was also an audit senior at Ernst & Young, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ms. Provancher has served on the board of the Wisconsin Club, where she was a long-time member of the Finance Committee. She was also a long-time member and past president of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Financial Managers Society and served as Treasurer of the Exchange Club of Milwaukee. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with a Bachelor of Business Administration Ms. Provancher majored in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Wisconsin.
John P. Matter, current chairman of the Board of Directors of both entities will assume the role of vice chair. Mr. Matter has been with The Equitable Bank since 1980 and has held positions from branch manager/loan officer to CEO and president during his tenure with the bank.
In announcing Mr. Sattler as the bank’s chief executive officer, he will retain his role as president for both entities and will continue to lead the bank’s culture that values steady growth, community involvement, outstanding customer service, providing internal advancement opportunities and continued modernization of products, processes, and tools.
Mr. Sattler will continue to promote the bank and its role in providing timely and innovative lending solutions for local commercial and residential borrowers throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area. “I am excited that Tom has accepted this new leadership role,” said Jennifer Provancher, former CEO and newly appointed chairman of the Board of Directors. “Tom and the team we have assembled are charged with continuing the legacy that The Equitable Bank has established for nearly 100 years. I’m confident that Tom’s leadership will assure the bank’s continued success for many years to come.”
Mr. Sattler has over 30 years of banking experience at four community banks focusing on customer service, product development, marketing and public relations. While at Equitable, Mr. Sattler has been instrumental in developing the commercial banking framework that has allowed the bank to diversify its lending portfolio. Mr. Sattler serves on various Wisconsin Bankers Association committees, is active in community banking advocacy and participates in a variety of local civic organizations.
He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) from Indiana University, graduated from Cardinal Stritch University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.), and completed studies at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
By Rose Oswald Poels
Every year, WBA’s Power of Community Week aims to highlight the countless ways bankers give back to their communities and underscore the value of the banking industry. With the Association’s seventh annual Power of Community Week campaign beginning in one month, now is the time for WBA-member banks to begin sharing the ways in which their teams will participate and contribute to this meaningful campaign.
WBA’s 2024 Power of Community Week will take place April 15–20, 2024, and bring together countless banker volunteers — as well as WBA Associate Members and WBA staff — for a week of service activities in celebration of our commitment to fostering community well-being. This annual event is not just an opportunity for banks to showcase their dedication to community service; it is a reminder that the success of our communities is central to the mission of community banking.
While Power of Community Week generates high levels of participation, banks certainly do not limit their community service activities to this single week. These service efforts are foundational to the banking profession and a continuous and integral aspect of the identity of many of our members.
Banks’ community involvement is sometimes credited to requirements established by the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) — aspects bankers certainly do consider — however, our member banks go beyond these regulations and demonstrate a genuine commitment to security and stability of families, business owners, farmers, and non-profit organizations around them. The Power of Community Week initiative works to reshape this narrative and shed light on the significant contributions made by bankers in April and throughout the year.
If your team hasn’t already, completing the participation form allows our staff to spotlight the community-focused efforts occurring across the state as well as inform our elected officials and the public of the commitment of our industry to all Wisconsinites. As a reminder, any community-focused efforts that occur throughout the month of April and early May “count” for Power of Community Week participation. Be sure to also share with us your event photos by using the hashtag #BanksPowerWI and tagging the Wisconsin Bankers Association on social media.
On behalf of all of those who have been or will be impacted by the work you and your team do this April, thank you for being a part of what makes Wisconsin such a great place to live, work, and do business. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.
GreenLeaf Bank recently announced the addition of Stephen Tramp as senior vice president of lending. Tramp will oversee the commercial and retail lending departments at the bank.
For over 20 years Tramp held a variety of leadership roles in banks of all sizes. GreenLeaf Bank CEO David Krutz says “Steve brings a new level of expertise to our lending team. As a community bank, our priority is helping customers be more successful and Steve provides that knowledge.”
Tramp agrees, “community banking is so rewarding, customers aren’t numbers, they are friends and neighbors. By helping them grow, we grow too.”