By Donna J. Hoppenjan
Throughout my 46 years in banking, one thing has remained absolutely certain — the dedication of bankers in Wisconsin. For over 130 years, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) has stood as the pillar for banking throughout the state. From educational and advocacy opportunities to resources for members to utilize, our Association remains top tier in its ability to provide bankers in Wisconsin with a wide variety of ways in which they can get involved and make a difference in their bank and throughout their community.
As I begin my term as chair of WBA’s Board of Directors — representing over 30,000 bankers throughout Wisconsin — I look forward to continuing the Association’s longstanding tradition of inspiring success within our industry and encouraging every member to consider their role in shaping the future.
The inspiration to expand your skillset, grow your connections, and engage with your community is around every corner. In partnership with WBA, member banks have the ability to take advantage of educational programs designed to assist all bank employees in their pursuit of knowledge and expertise. Our Association hosts a variety of in-person and virtual courses that are not only relevant to bankers in our state, but also facilitate connections with their peers.
At its core, the Association is rooted in engagement. Without the participation of over 150 volunteer Advocacy Officers, committee participants, and advisory board members, WBA would be nowhere near as relevant or impactful as it is today. However, just as the WBA membership plays a role in shaping our Association, each of us has the responsibility to prepare our next generation of banking leaders and shape the perception of our industry.
Through WBA, bankers can participate in events or any combination of peer groups, networks, and committees to enhance their leadership skills and be inspired by the efforts of their peers. WBA also spearheads initiatives such as Power of Community Week, Teach Children to Save Day, Capitol Day, and career nights at various schools that encourage bankers to step out of the office and into their communities. The events offer members opportunities to establish and foster relationships with students, business owners, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and so many others.
This year, as your team considers the multitude of ways in which you can inspire your fellow bankers, encourage the next generation, and influence growth throughout the industry, I remind you to look to your Association and stand united. Together, we can continue to support the long-term growth of the banking industry and elevate our Association for years to come.
Hoppenjan is president and CEO of Mound City Bank, Platteville, and the 2023–2024 WBA Chair.
From the WBA Year in Review to combating the wage gap, the July/August Wisconsin Banker is sure to feature something of interest for every member of the bank.
Learn more about AI in banking, upcoming WBA events, and how your bank can support the Association’s advocacy initiatives this year.
Featured inside are the chair’s column by Donna Hoppenjan, current WBA chair and president and CEO of Mound City Bank, Platteville and the Community Advocate, Beverly Collins, president of Loana State Bank.
By Rose Oswald Poels
Last Thursday marked the beginning of the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) 2023–2024 fiscal year. As I reflect upon the accomplishments our community of bankers has made in the past year, I am honored to not only work alongside a membership so dedicated to the success of their institutions and communities, but also to represent each of you in your unwavering resilience and adaptability.
For over 130 years, our Association has focused intently on the positive impact banks make on communities in Wisconsin. Advocacy — a foundational component to WBA’s mission — allows bankers to make their voice heard on policy that impacts them.
Not only does the team at the Association work tirelessly to comment on proposed rulings and regulations — submitting 11 comment letters in 2022–2023 — and tracking WBA legislative priorities at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C., I am proud to highlight that over 200 bankers participated in WBA’s advocacy efforts by way of attending the Association’s annual Capitol Day or a D.C. summit. Additionally, bankers in Wisconsin contributed over $275,000 to WBA’s political action and issue advocacy funds.
Alongside advocating on behalf of the Wisconsin banking industry, our Association prides itself on providing bankers with in-depth and up-to-date educational opportunities. In the last year, 6,016 bankers attended at least one of the 93 training programs hosted in-person throughout the state or virtually. Tailored to every level of the bank, these schools, conferences, and webinars allow members to expand their expertise, gain leadership skills, and network with peers.
Above all, WBA’s top priority continues to be supporting its members however possible. Not only did the team produce 30 videos and create 11 consumer resources in 2022–2023, but the Legal Hotline wielded a total of 2,094 calls and the Wisconsin Banker Daily reached over 2,500 bankers from across the state each day.
Looking ahead to the Association’s next year, in addition to our efforts advocating, informing, and educating, WBA staff will continue to update resources and provide Wisconsin banks with the best tools for your technology, insurance, consulting, and other needs. For more information on WBA’s 2022–2023 fiscal year, please look for a complete, in-depth Year in Review in the upcoming July/August Wisconsin Banker.
As always, I thank you for your support of WBA and deeply appreciate your efforts in ensuring the success of our industry. Your membership allows us to continue to advocate for our industry, educate beginning and experienced bankers, and provide valued resources for all areas of the bank. If they have not arrived in the mail already, please expect an invoice for the new fiscal year dues to arrive in the coming days. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your membership. I look forward to working with you and for you.
Connect with peers, expand your compliance knowledge
As the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) enters the 2023–2024 fiscal year, do not forget to renew or join the membership of the WBA Compliance Forum. Whether you are looking for more opportunities to connect with your compliance peers or would like to gain CLE and other compliance certifications*, WBA’s annual Compliance Forum membership provides various opportunities to expand your network and further develop your understanding of state-specific and national compliance matters.
The registration fee includes attendance of all three forums for two individuals from each bank. Additionally, these two primary members will also gain access to the highly active WBA Compliance Forum Google group. All Wisconsin bank compliance professionals and bank legal counsel are encouraged to attend each of the sessions to gain in-depth information on key compliance issues. Any additional bank staff can be registered by the bank’s primary contacts for an additional fee.
“WBA’s Compliance Forum is the place to get updates on recent trends, hear from experts on emerging topics, and connect with other compliance professionals,” says Scott Birrenkott, WBA director – legal and session speaker. “Each session provides great networking opportunities and the ability to share experiences.”
WBA’s Compliance Forum is WBA’s premier Wisconsin-specific program focused on presenting updates and addressing the latest hot topics in compliance. The first session, to be held on June 20 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Stevens Point, will include discussions on areas such as the Section 1071 final rule and related implementation action plans, as well as how to respond when a vendor gets hacked.
“As a subject matter, banking compliance is unique in that it manages to be simultaneously vast, yet also nuanced. It can be tough to sift through, which is why opportunities to meet, stay abreast of trends, and discuss with peers are so valuable,” adds Birrenkott.
Those interested in joining a passionate group of compliance bankers or renewing their membership for WBA’s 2023–2024 Compliance Forum should visit wisbank.com/2023forum. Questions regarding membership opportunities or upcoming Compliance Forum sessions can be directed to Anna Lorang, WBA education and event coordinator.
*Submission of education program material to the Board of Bar Examiners does not guarantee CLE credit will be granted. Bankers with the CCBCO designation can self-submit this program for credit using the agenda provided at the forum.
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.
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.
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.
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!