Archive for category: Education

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Chair’s Column: Shaping the Association and Industry

By Daniel J. Peterson

When I first became Chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) Board of Directors in June of last year, I encouraged all members to consider deepening their engagement with the Association.

As my time as WBA Chair concludes on May 31, I look back on all the ways in which bankers across the state have found new ways to participate. Despite rising inflation, new regulatory proposals and rulings, and continued difficulties with talent recruitment, WBA members have stepped up this last year as advocates for the banking industry.

In just the last year, bankers helped raise over $270,000 to support pro-banking and pro-business candidates as well as help the team effectively lobby for key issues impacting the industry. Hundreds of bankers also joined WBA in its advocacy efforts by attending the Association’s annual Capitol Day, traveling to Washington D.C. during a summit, or casting their votes in various Wisconsin elections.

More than ever, 2022–2023 has emphasized the importance of speaking with our elected representatives and making our voices heard. These actions are critical to the continued success of our industry and help to educate the general public as well as shape their opinion.

Beyond this, partaking in activities as simple as sharing WBA’s consumer resources with your customers, calling the Legal team with questions, or volunteering for a committee, all greatly assist the WBA staff in understanding the needs of the membership and the communities we each serve. While educational opportunities and resources for bankers lie at the heart of the Association, our input and engagement keep these materials relevant and high-quality every year.

As I prepare to help usher Donna Hoppenjan in as the 2023–2024 WBA Chair, I thank you, WBA members, for your continued efforts in assisting our Association in creating an environment where bankers grow, and communities thrive. While the task of bettering our industry is daunting when faced alone, our efforts, combined with those of Rose Oswald Poels and her dedicated staff, continue to prove effective in making the change we wish to see for the banking community, and beyond.

Peterson is president and CEO of The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Marinette, and the 2022–2023 Chair of the WBA Board of Directors.

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May/June 2023 Wisconsin Banker

From the WBA Associate Member Directory to partnering with Wisconsin’s oldest Black-owned bank, the May/June Wisconsin Banker is sure to feature something of interest for every member of the bank.

Learn more about the 2023–2024 BOLT Section Chair, the requirements for flood insurance force placement, and how you can make a difference by getting involved with the Association.

Featured inside are the chair’s column by Dan Peterson, current WBA chair and president and CEO of The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Marinette; the Community Advocate, Emily Dahl, executive vice president, chief financial officer at Bank of Ontario; and Ashley Clemons, vice president – marketing at The Peoples Community Bank in Mazomanie.

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WBA-Member Bankers Complete GSB Bank Technology Management School

Pictured (left to right) are: Thomas Schulz, David Sanders, Ryan Galligan, and Paul Verdonschot.

This year, four Wisconsin bankers attended and completed the Graduate School of Banking’s Bank Technology Management School in Madison. The school is specifically designed to tie together important banking issues, regulatory requirements, and practical insights to broaden the understanding of banking as a business.

Congratulations to this year’s graduates:

  • Ryan Galligan, FVSBank, Fond du Lac
  • David Sanders, Park Bank, Holmen
  • Thomas Schulz, Associated Bank, N.A., Pewaukee
  • Paul Verdonschot, First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, Waukesha
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From the Fields: Join Us at the 2023 WBA Agricultural Bankers Conference

By Craig Rogan

Spring is here, meaning the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) Agricultural Bankers Conference is just around the corner on April 13–14 at the Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells. These days are spent reconnecting with fellow ag bankers, sharing experiences from throughout the last year, and acquiring new and updated knowledge to propel our industry into the future. We will welcome many new ag lending professionals to our industry at this conference as well.

Whether you are new to the Ag Banking Conference or a seasoned pro, there’s always something to be learned; however, some things never change; making sound credit and risk decisions should still be at the forefront of your day-to-day analysis, assessing farm’s management practices today to ensure viability and long-term success remains a crucial piece of the puzzle.

We again welcome Dr. David Kohl, a professor emeritus at Virginia Tech who holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University. Dr. Kohl’s solid agricultural knowledge, paired with his ongoing research and experience, makes him a true ag expert.

The months of April and May leave many farmers focused on when the fields will be dry enough to plant. Eric R. Snodgrass is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As an educator and engaging speaker, he will discuss if current and projected weather conditions may allow for a rapid jumpstart on this year’s growing season. With his guidance, we will examine the global weather outlook and what this could mean for potential yields outside of the U.S. as well as what role weather plays in affecting grain commodity prices.

Wisconsin is going strong in the dairy industry with nearly 1.27 million cows and 6116 dairy farms across the state. UW-Madison Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist Leonard Polzin will be speaking and updating us on all things dairy in Wisconsin.

This highlights just a few of the highly esteemed speakers that we are honored to host at this year’s Agricultural Banking Conference. I look forward to seeing you in the Dells! If you haven’t registered but would still like to attend please visit wisbank.com/ag to register today.

Rogan is vice president – ag banking officer at Nicolet National Bank, Stevens Point, and vice chair of the 2022–2023 WBA Agricultural Bankers Section.

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Bankers Continue Their Education, Remain Compliant

Stand-alone BSA/AML conference returns on May 10–11!

Back again in 2023 as its own conference, the Wisconsin Bankers Association is excited to offer its BSA/AML Conference in person at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells this spring!

In order to maintain the credentials required for managing, auditing, or implementing the portion of their institution’s compliance function that relates to money laundering, terrorist financing, or national security, banks are required to provide ongoing training for those responsible for BSA and AML compliance.

The WBA BSA/AML Conference provides bankers with the opportunity to hear and interact with regulators — at both the state and federal functional regulatory agencies — and gain instruction in BSA/AML compliance issues. While the conference curriculum changes each year, bankers return year after year to ensure they remain up to date on issues, topics, and guidance related to their compliance responsibility.

The two-day event will cover topics including:

  • AML Software Identifications, & Proposals, Payments, and Compliance Update
  • SAR Trends and Updates
  • Keys to Completing the SAR Narrative
  • Elder/Vulnerable Adult Exploitation
  • AMLA Update
  • Beneficial Ownership Identification Reporting (BOIR)

In addition to the various networking opportunities WBA events are known for, attendees will receive two full days of instruction from speaker Mark Dever of ProBank Austin and Nick Bonnema of Wipfli LLP.

“In this rapidly changing BSA environment, attendees will get the latest status on a variety of topics and issues that are evolving, along with feedback and guidance from the examiners, and of course, the opportunity to network with their peers,” highlights Dever. “Attendees can make the most out of their attendance by coming armed with questions on BSA, and the willingness to actively participate in the various sessions.”

Those interested in attending the event on May 10–11 should visit wisbank.com/BSA-AML to learn more or to register.

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WBA-Member Bankers Complete GSB HR Management School

Pictured (left to right) are: Amber Wierzba, Laci Saint, Janelle Schraufnagel, and Tammy Pitts.

This year, four Wisconsin bankers attended and completed the Graduate School of Banking’s Human Resource Management School in Madison. The school, specifically designed to tie together important banking and HR issues, is one week long and packed with material related to the business of banking and HR management.

Congratulations to this year’s graduates:

  • Tammy Pitts, National Exchange Bank & Trust, Fond du Lac
  • Laci Saint, Peoples State Bank, Prairie du Chien
  • Janelle Schraufnagel, First State Bank, New London
  • Amber Wierzba, Citizens First Bank, Viroqua
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Human Resources and CFO Conferences Return in 2023

Two events dedicated to professional development, networking

Each year, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) offers hundreds of educational opportunities for bankers. From schools and training programs held in the Engagement Center at the WBA headquarters in Madison to conferences across the state, the Association’s mission to provide professional development opportunities and resources to every member bank, regardless of their position, are abundant. As such, the Association is excited to revive two professional conferences in 2023!

As more businesses across Wisconsin struggle with engaging, retaining, and attracting employees, WBA’s Human Resources (HR) Conference will tackle the topics many HR professionals in Wisconsin’s banking industry have at the top of mind.

Last held in 2020, this year’s event will bring together Wisconsin community banking HR professionals on May 4 in Stevens Point. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from several speakers; receive an update related on the everchanging landscape of the workplace and employment law; as well as network with their peers throughout the one-day event.

“With banks across Wisconsin facing more challenges setting themselves apart from other employment options, our Association wants to ensure our WBA members are equipped with the best practices and industry trends, all while having the opportunity to network with their peers,” stated WBA Director – Education Lori Kalscheuer.

This year’s HR Conference speakers include Julia Johnson, Wipfli LLP; Jennifer Mirus, Boardman & Clark LLP; Jackie Rolow, SHAZAM; and Jasmine Brett Stringer, award-winning author and keynote speaker. To learn more about this upcoming conference in May or register, please visit wisbank.com/HRConference.

Register Now

WBA is excited to once again invite bankers to join us on May 17 in Madison for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Conference.

This one-day program, last held in 2018, will assist those bankers who make financial decisions throughout the bank — including, but not limited to, CFOs, CEOs, and controllers — stay up to date on the current and potential future issues affecting the financial health of their institution.

“As the last several years have proven, banks in Wisconsin are prepared to weather whatever economic conditions are thrown their way,” said WBA Director – Education Lori Kalscheuer. “The WBA CFO Conference will provide a day packed with valuable educational presentations from industry thought leaders, helping our members position themselves for a successful future.”

If you or your team are interested in attending the CFO Conference or learning more, please visit wisbank.com/CFO.

Register Now
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Helping Ag Bankers Stay Ahead of Industry Challenges

Across Wisconsin, agricultural bankers are seeing monumental changes both throughout the banking industry and within the farming communities they serve. To assist bankers in preparing for the many conversations beyond the traditional discussions of financing, the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) Agricultural Bankers Section is excited to announce the WBA Agricultural Bankers Conference this spring!

Each year, more than 125 ag bankers from across the state come together for the two-day event featuring over seven hours of presentations, the opportunity to network with peers, and exhibitors offering products and services geared specifically at ag banking.

The 2023 conference will kick off on April 13 with an update from Eric Snodgrass of Nutrien Ag Solutions. Snodgrass, a science fellow and principal atmospheric scientist, will provide a weather update that focuses on how high-impact weather events influence global agriculture productivity. His current research uses machine learning to better understand field-level weather impacts on yields in the U.S. and to increase confidence in long-range weather prediction.

Throughout the first day, ag bankers will have the chance to network with peers from across the state and hear from several other speakers Leonard Polzin from the University of Wisconsin Madison and Edwin Elfmann of the American Bankers Association (ABA).

The following day, April 14, attendees will reconvene for a keynote session by Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

During his engaging presentation, ag bankers will gain strategies and actions to utilize in positioning their local agricultural businesses to take advantage of opportunities and negate adversity. Dr. Kohl highlights that a few key takeaways from his presentation include the business IQ assessment, financial ratio benchmarking tools, and non-financial factors that bankers can apply as they work with their customers.

Following the keynote, Dr. Kohl will hold a Q&A session to provide attendees with insight, best practices, and outlooks for the upcoming year ahead.

“In this fast-paced world, I encourage agricultural bankers to attend this year’s WBA Agricultural Banking Conference to be informed, network, and learn strategies that can help them take action,” says Dr. Kohl. “The current environment of volatility, higher interest rates, and inflation mean that bankers need to be prepared to work side by side with their borrowers to assess risk and help ensure adequate liquidity to weather adversity.”

Interested in attending and joining ag bankers from across the state this April 13–14? Visit wisbank.com/ag to learn more and register today!

Register Now
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Executive Letter: WBA to Host Free Climate Change Conversation with OCC in March

Rose Oswald PoelsAs bankers in Wisconsin can attest, having the knowledge of, and experience managing, the risks their customers may face is a key component of effectively running a bank. For generations, bankers across the state have assisted their customers in managing various types of risk, including climate-related risks. However, as policymakers, investors, and customers grow concerned about the impacts of climate change, several regulators have signaled forthcoming regulatory action.

With new climate-related financial risk management policies expected from both the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), many are weary of how these regulations — which claim to only target the largest of banks in the U.S. — will inevitably impact the functions of all banks in our state.

As Jeff Gruetzmacher of Royal Bank so eloquently stated in his article published in the January/February issue of the Wisconsin Banker, “regulators have made their intentions clear: community banks will not get a pass on the new and expensive regulatory burdens.” As such, it is important to keep the WBA membership informed and demonstrate the impact regulations such as these have on banking operations and consumers throughout the state.

I would like to invite all of you to a complimentary, virtual Executive Briefing with Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu on March 7 from 3–4 p.m. Central Time. This event is open to all WBA members regardless of which primary federal regulator your bank has. OCC Acting Director Hsu will speak for a few minutes; however, he strongly desires this to be an open conversation for most of the hour with bankers actively asking questions and sharing their thoughts on the subject of climate risk for banks.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with such a high-ranking regulatory official, and I encourage you and others from your bank to attend and actively participate. Wisconsin bankers, particularly ag lenders, already have extensive experience managing climate risk related to their banks’ loan portfolios, and it is important to share these real-life examples and experiences directly with regulators in this format. To register for this valuable opportunity, please click here. Please also share this invitation with others from your bank as more than one person from each institution is welcome to join.

Register Now
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608-441-1200

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Madison, WI 53718

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