- Cassandra Baeten, Ag Portfolio Manager, Bank of Luxemburg
- Cody Belken, Credit Analyst, Royal Bank, Dickeyville
- Riley Carson, Ag Loan Officer, Community Bank, Vernon Center
- Hope Francis, Credit Analyst, Community First Bank, Platteville
- Chris Greenwood, Branch Manager, Waumandee State Bank, Arcadia
- Heather Hafften, Ag Loan Officer, Peoples State Bank, Dickeyville
- Marissa Hanley, Agricultural Credit Analyst, Nicolet National Bank, Seymour
- Mara Hird, Residential Relationship Manager – AVP, Peoples State Bank, Wauzeka
- Jamie Horsfall, Agricultural Relationship Manager, Peoples State Bank, Fennimore
- Rayanne Walker, Agricultural Credit Analyst, Nicolet National Bank, Eau Claire
- Amy Bloczynski, AVP/Branch Manager, Waumandee State Bank, Black River Falls
PremierBank’s Bilingual Initiatives Committee helps bank serve Hispanic community
By Kathleen Rolfs
Between 2000 and 2015, the Hispanic population in Wisconsin doubled in size with an increase of 95%, according to a demographic summary conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This was the most rapid population increase of any of Wisconsin’s various racial groups (White, Black/African American, American Indian, and Hispanic).
During this span of time, Wisconsin’s overall population increased by roughly 400,000 residents, with Hispanics making up 46% of this increase. With Hispanics being the fastest growing minority population in Wisconsin, it is important that community banks thoughtfully consider how they are best meeting the financial needs of this influential consumer base.
Although individual desires and product requirements are as diverse for the Hispanic community as any other demographic, one way that PremierBank is successfully serving our Hispanic friends and neighbors is through our unique Bilingual Initiatives Committee. This group is comprised of several bilingual bankers along with marketing and retail banking officers. The goals of the committee include identifying opportunities that exist within our communities for strategic community partnerships, and collaborative education within our organization to ensure all our bankers are equipped to understand and anticipate the needs of the rapidly growing, ethnically diverse Hispanic community.
Bilingual Bankers Share Their Heritage
At a minimum, having bankers on staff who speak the same native language of those who live and work in our communities is one of the most obvious ways that we can reduce or eliminate language barriers with our Hispanic customers and successfully deliver the most appropriate financial solutions to them.
Guided by our Bilingual Initiatives Committee, our bilingual bankers help provide education within our organization about the Hispanic community. Peer-to-peer learning is a powerful tool that helps break through biases and promulgates understanding. As such, we have found that giving our bilingual bankers many opportunities throughout the year to share their heritage with their colleagues encourages a much deeper understanding of our local Hispanic population, while simultaneously building community within our own organization.
During last year’s Hispanic Heritage month, PremierBank treated all employees to traditional pan dulce or “sweet bread” served fresh from a local Mexican baker. These were personally delivered by members who serve on the Bilingual Initiative Committee, some of whom were dressed in traditional Mexican apparel, with an explanation of the history of these tasty treats! Inexpensive activities encourage understanding and respect among a diverse workforce, while providing education about this important segment of banking prospects and customers.
Bilingual Banking Community Outreach
Whether through financial contributions, sponsoring a resource fair that targets the Hispanic community, or creating our own event that caters to the Hispanic community, PremierBank’s Bilingual Initiative Committee is intentional in the quest to find new events to support within our footprint area.
In September 2022, a “Hispanic Heritage Celebration” is being planned at one of our banking locations complete with food trucks, traditional Central and South American dancers, and a lively mariachi band. After working with the local convention and visitor’s bureau and receiving advice from the city parks and recreation department, our Bilingual Initiatives Committee has found enthusiastic community support in our efforts to plan this upcoming community event that will celebrate Hispanic customs, cuisine, and heritage.
Building Long-Term Relationships
As marketers, we know that the Hispanic segment is an incredibly valuable consumer group. With an annual purchasing power of over $1.5 trillion, this powerhouse community is more likely to start a new business than any other demographic and it accounts for a larger percentage of home purchases than ever before, according to an article published by Forbes. However, we cannot simply make token efforts to attract their business.
To reach this audience, cater to their actual needs, and stand out from our competitors, banks need to establish an authentic connection in an honest and respectful way. Our Bilingual Initiatives Committee is making a difference at PremierBank by helping us to build authentic, meaningful relationships both inside and outside of our bank. Because of this, the business relationships we have formed with our Hispanic customers and community partners are based on understanding and respect and will endure long into the future.
Rolfs, vice president – director of marketing at PremierBank in Fort Atkinson, is a member of the 2022–2023 WBA Marketing Committee.
The following is a brief interview between WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels and Spring Bank, Brookfield CEO David Schuelke.
Rose: How did you first get into the banking industry?
David: I was born into a banking family. Even though my father, Don Schuelke, was a banker, he didn’t encourage me to pursue a banking career and it wasn’t an original career goal for me. I graduated college with an accounting degree intending to enter public accounting. However, I accepted a good offer from First Wisconsin Bank to start my professional career. At First Wisconsin, I joined an outstanding culture and a talented team of professionals. Those colleagues and that culture led me to want to remain in the banking field.
What is your favorite aspect of your role at your bank?
The most rewarding aspect for me is helping businesses. I’ve always been intrigued and fascinated by different businesses — how they operate, how similar businesses do things differently but all reach success in their own way. It’s also meeting people and the variety. But nothing is better than somebody telling you that you came up with an idea that helped them improve their business.
I also enjoy watching my colleagues advance in their careers and sharing news of our strong financial results with my fellow shareholders. I’m very proud to have played a key role in developing a successful bank — from raising the capital to open to forming a team that executes our business plan of being a locally owned, locally operated bank focused on providing the personal attention our customers deserve.
What do you wish the general public understood about the banking industry?
I wish the public had a better understanding of how banks operate within very narrow interest rate margins and about the costs to maintain the infrastructure needed to deliver high quality service and products. This lack of understanding leads a few clients to expect bank services to be delivered at little or no cost.
Where do you believe the industry’s greatest challenges are in the next three to five years?
Our industry’s greatest challenges include changing technology, a sometimes-oppressive regulatory environment, and potential economic challenges.
Technology will continue to evolve rapidly. Figuring out how to adopt new or changing technologies is a constant challenge. The cost to keep up with regulatory pressures has easily doubled, and possibly tripled or more, since we opened Spring Bank in 2008. Managing these increasing costs and requirements is a big challenge.
Lastly, current levels of inflation, supply chain disruptions, and a shortage of workers have resulted in expectations of a recession after many years of economic growth. When the next recession arrives, banks will need to focus on credit quality and work to resolve problem loan situations that arise. Fortunately, the banking industry is better capitalized today than it was at the start of the last recession.
Every day, bankers serve their local communities by helping their customers achieve their financial dreams. Please describe your current role at your bank and share with us one of your more rewarding experiences.
With regard to community involvement, one of the most impactful days of my life was joining a group of over 100 World War II veterans on a trip to Washington D.C. to view the WWII Memorial as part of the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight program. Spring Bank has supported this effort for many years as part of our pride and appreciation for our nation’s veterans. Speaking with many heroes that day, watching them interact with their peers, and experiencing the welcome home celebration at the end of the day is a memory I will never forget.
Finding the best services and products for your bank
By Daryll J. Lund
Each year, the banking industry becomes increasingly more competitive and with new trends, technology, and specialized services emerging at rapid speeds, there is no way for one single business to do it all. WBA’s Associate Member program highlights a broad spectrum of third-party providers from around the country that WBA-member banks may choose to partner with in pursuit of their own strategic goals.
These companies most often specialize in specific products and services related to banks — from data processing to cybersecurity and talent management, to name just a few — and assist banks in enhancing their ability to better serve their customers.
WBA’s Associate Member program offers WBA bank members access to over 150 vetted, dedicated companies that show their support for our industry in various ways. From sharing their expertise through resources published in our publications to presenting on hot topics at WBA events, our Associate Members help us create meaningful, relevant content that informs bankers throughout Wisconsin.
If you have attended any one of WBA’s events, conferences, or outings, you will also know that WBA’s Associate Members play a substantial role in their continued success. On August 18, WBA will host its seventeenth annual Chairman’s Golf Outing. This complimentary event is one of the many programs sponsored by WBA’s Associate Members. In addition to the support of this annual outing for our members, WBA’s Associate Member program ultimately assists WBA in continuing to provide high-value educational opportunities to bankers in their pursuit to support their communities.
It is critical that banks have the ability to form strong partnerships with third-party vendors for the benefit of the bank’s growth and the satisfaction of their customers. WBA’s Associate Member program offers just the place for community banks to locate whatever niche expertise and product specialization they need to stay ahead in our continuously evolving industry.
With the help of Nick Loppnow, who re-joined the Association in June as director – associate membership and business development, WBA stands ready to identify companies that seek to assist Wisconsin’s banking industry and connect banks with the vendor(s) that will meet their needs.
Those seeking a new partnership or looking to refer a company should contact Nick Loppnow.
Written by Lisa Higgins, State Bank of Cross Plains
Last month we heard from Craig Rogan of Nicolet National Bank on celebrating June dairy month. This month, we are knee deep into fair season. Most of us have a connection to our county fairs, whether we were involved in 4-H or take our families to enjoy the animals, projects, entertainment, rides, games and let’s not forget the fair food!
This time of year, we are lucky to have the opportunity to get out from behind our desks to support our Ag Community at our county fairs. I’m not sure about you, but it seems like I spend more time on fair grounds during the summer than at the office or on farm calls. One of my favorite things to do is to walk through the barns and see the kids resting with their animals, cleaning up, or sitting in a circle on lawn chairs or coolers and shooting the breeze or playing cards with each other. Showing up and making a day of it is an easy way to support the hard work that the kids put into their animals and projects (and the parents behind them) to make sure they succeed.
Another way to enjoy the fair is by bidding and buying at the meat animal sales. Even though it is highly competitive, when it comes to being there for one another, there is nothing like it. Neighbors bid on neighbor’s animals and local businesses come to see what they can buy. At State Bank, we do the best to spread the wealth, so we are represented at each fair-bidding on customers and prospects and the friendly competition between banks-it is for a great cause! It is an electric atmosphere and sometimes highly emotional.
Once the fair is over, we go through and share the thank you cards that we receive from the kids that we bought from with the full bank staff. They are a sweet reminder of how much we impact our youth.
I am thankful that we can support and enjoy our community in such a fun way. I hope each of you has a chance to visit your county fair this year!
Lisa Higgins is vice president, ag and commercial lender with State Bank of Cross Plains in Janesville, and also serves on the WBA Agricultural Bankers Section Board.
On July 20, WBA’s Daryll Lund visited Denmark State Bank to award several employees with WBA’s Lifetime Service Awards for their extended service to Wisconsin’s banking industry and celebrate 10 upcoming retirements in the bank.
Congratulations to Mark Hoefs and Lori Sisel, 30 years; Stephen Arps, 31 years; Chris Mueller, 32 years; Jeff Wilke, 33 years; James Meyer, Tami O’Brien, and Scot Thompson, 35 years; Jacqui Engebos, 36 years; Tammy Phibyl and John Rehn, 37 years; Annette Commons, 40 years; Linda Kuik, 41 years; Jeannie Swagel, 42 years; and Carl Laveck, 50 years, for receiving WBA’s Lifetime Service Awards.
The reception also honored the bank’s 10 retirees, several of which also were honored with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award. Congratulations to Deborah Carlson, credit analyst III (37 years); Joan DeGrand, business banking portfolio manager (47 years); Teri Deprey, credit analyst III (39 years); Jan Hall, vice president – deposit operations manager (37 years); Dave Kappelman, senior vice president – agribusiness banker III (40 years); Mark Kropp, assistant vice president – branch manager III (38 years); Deanna Tilot, financial assistant (35 years); Jeff Vandenplas, vice president – business banker III (39 years); Bonnie Vogel, lead teller (34 years); and Cindy Winiecki, agribusiness portfolio manager, on their retirements and extended years of service.
On Thursday, July 21, WBA’s Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Daryll Lund attended the retirement reception of George E. Gary, president and CEO of Columbia Savings and Loan Association in Milwaukee. During the reception Gary was awarded with WBA’s 50 Year Club recognition for his tenure within the banking industry.
Gary began at Columbia Savings and Loan Association, Wisconsin’s oldest Black financial institution, as a loan officer. Throughout his time at the bank, Gary has assisted in serve the needs of citizens and organizations in the Black community.
On June 30, two Bank of Sun Prairie employees were awarded WBA’s Lifetime Service Award by WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels for their tenure in the banking industry. Dave Suchomel, Bank of Sun Prairie chief credit officer, recently surpassed 42 years in the industry and Ron Blawusch, Bank of Sun Prairie chief lending officer, has been in the banking industry for a total of 44 years.
The following is a brief interview between WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels and Dairy State Bank CEO Michael Bock.
Rose: How did you first get into the banking industry?
Michael: After graduating from college with an accounting degree, my career started in public accounting. After eight years spending significant time in the bank audit, exam, and tax area learning about the banking industry, an opportunity presented itself with Dairy State Bank. After 33 years, I continue to say it was a very good decision to come to the banker’s side of the desk.
What is your favorite aspect of your role at your bank?
Without a doubt, interacting with so many great people is what makes this job fun. This comes in the form of helping customers and businesses meet their financial goals as well as solve challenges they sometimes encounter. It also comes from working with a very dedicated and committed staff that are constantly doing their best to make banking easy and rewarding for everyone interacting with us.
What do you wish the general public understood about the banking industry?
To the public — yes, we know it takes a lot of paper to open a new checking account, complete a home mortgage, and do so many other things in the bank, but there are higher forces requiring the paperwork. As bankers, we are all for making sure customers know what they are signing up for. However, the amount of paper is getting so deep it is sometimes overwhelming. If you do get overwhelmed, please ask questions! As community bankers, we commit ourselves to making sure you understand the banking services you use.
Where do you believe the industry’s greatest challenges are in the next three to five years?
This list could be long — including cybersecurity threats, a constantly changing regulatory and political environment, the increased cost of doing business, and what seems like the perpetual effort by the credit unions to expand their footprint while having the huge advantage of no income taxes. But I think one of our greatest challenges is going to be introducing young people to banking as a profession. This business is very satisfying in so many ways as we have a unique opportunity help our communities and customers thrive. Many young people only see the bank as a place to deposit a check or get a debit card and don’t understand the positive impact we make in so many ways.
Every day, bankers serve their local communities by helping their customers achieve their financial dreams. Please describe your current role at your bank and share with us one of your more rewarding experiences.
From making hundreds of PPP loans in the teeth of COVID to donating time and money to community projects that enhance the places we live and lending money to a startup business that grows to become a major employer in the area, the list of rewarding experiences we, as community bankers, have could go on and on.
But I think one of the most satisfying and rewarding acts we do is taking the time to work with a customer to understand when they are being scammed. These are not always easy conversations, because no one wants to admit they may be in a bad situation. However, many times through our observations, conversations, and coaching, our customers keep the money that is rightfully theirs. Assisting our community members like this makes me proud to be a community banker.