Archive for category: News

As the only tribe-owned bank in Wisconsin, it was only natural for Bay Bank to reach out and forge a strong relationship with the First American Capital Corporation, Inc. (FACC), a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) organization, certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

While Bay Bank offers a variety of loans and products to businesses, FACC works with many businesses initially unable to qualify for a traditional business loan.

“We share a similar mission — to help Native Americans through economic development,” said Nathan King, Bay Bank’s vice president. “We want to help FACC build its capacity since they can help more small businesses.”

FACC Co-Executive Director Gary Mejchar said working with Bay Bank allows the organization to assist more businesses, including expanding or newly formed tribally owned enterprises. FACC has been especially active in helping and growing construction industry-related firms, a market sector FACC has considerable experience and expertise working in. Those businesses will likely benefit from the 2021 federal infrastructure law since a portion of contracts will have participation goals for qualified businesses with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certifications. FACC aids businesses with the DBE and other local/state/federal minority certification programs.

“We can do more together,” Mejchar said. “There are some things Bay Bank cannot do, but we can,” such as providing in-depth pre-loan and post-loan technical services with clients as well as loan readiness assistance and helping businesses grow capacity so they eventually qualify for the credit standards of commercial banks. Likewise, Bay Bank, for example, provides both business and consumer banking services, while FACC can only serve business clients.

Another link between the two organizations is Bay Bank President Jeff Bowman, who helped found FACC and currently sits on the organization’s board of directors. “That’s a great connection between us,” Mejchar said.

Referrals also go between the two organizations. Bay Bank may recommend a customer without enough equity to receive a traditional business loan work with FACC first. Once FACC clients grow and can work with a traditional bank, Bay Bank hopes to be that option, King said.

“FACC fosters economic development in Native communities. They provide great technical assistance that helps businesses grow,” he said.

Based in Hales Corners, a Milwaukee suburb, FACC also provides its clients with business development services, such as assistance with business planning, business management assistance, and financial management assistance, along with application assistance for minority and disadvantaged business certifications.

Although Bay Bank works closely with FACC, King said it also has good relationships with the state’s three other Native-run CDFIs: Wisconsin Native Loan Fund in Lac du Flambeau; First Nations Community Financial in Black River Falls; and NiiJii Capital Partners Inc. in Keshena.

WaterStone Bank has promoted an assistant branch manager to the role of community president.

Laura Christenson now serves as community president of the bank’s Pewaukee branch (1230 George Towne Dr). Before the promotion, she served as assistant branch manager of the Wauwatosa branch location. Christenson joined WaterStone Bank in September of 2021 from the restaurant industry, where she served in various leadership and training roles over the course of sixteen years.

Christenson’s involvement as a board member of Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers displays her commitment to community and volunteerism. In her spare time, she enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, kayaking, winter-skiing, and building snowmen with her 3-year-old. Christenson recently purchased a new home in Lannon and looks forward serving in her new role at Pewaukee branch.

Three Wisconsin schools recently filed into gymnasiums and auditoriums to hear from speaker, author, and resilience expert, Tasha Schuh, who educates, inspires, and builds resilience for mental and emotional health. The presentation was part of First National Bank and Trust Company’s Promise series visiting over 1,000 middle school and high school students in Arcadia, Independence, and Whitehall, May 12–13, 2022.

This year’s presenter was national speaker, Tasha Schuh, who sees lives impacted and empowered by teaching others how to live a life of resilience, through her speaking engagements and curriculum. Schuh makes an impact and inspires real progress with students’ mental health awareness, along with skill-based coping mechanisms.

Schuh pushed through a life-changing theater accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down at the age of 16 and though has struggled with depression has created a vibrant, fulfilling life. She has dedicated her life to helping youth navigate struggles with mental and emotional health — Schuh is a survivor, a believer, and a fighter.

“Our students need to hear Tasha’s message of hope and perseverance now, more than ever. She reminds us all that we have to develop a positive attitude to get through the tough times, and that it is possible to get through the tough times,” said Independence School District School Counselor Dawn Woychik.

Today, local youth need resiliency skills training. Schuh’s platform shares the need to be equipped with emotional knowledge, so that they can get through uncertain times. She reinforced the four keys to resilience, which are purpose, attitude, team, and hope. Schuh also encouraged anyone to sign up for her free weekly inspirational messages by texting PITCREW to 33222.

“Tasha is inspiring and her message reached so many of our students and staff. We loved having the opportunity to speak with her after the presentation to show appreciation for Tasha’s bravery to share her own story, but to also have our students and staff share their own stories and how they could relate to Tasha’s resilience,” said Whitehall School District Middle School Counselor Taylor Klemme. “Tasha and Doug (Tasha’s husband) do a fantastic job of trying to connect with every person they meet which makes their message even more impactful and personal.”

“Tasha’s message was spot on and did a phenomenal job relating to students and helping others to find their PATH (Purpose, Attitude, Team, Hope). Everyone in the room was able to relate to her message in some way,” said Arcadia Middle/High School Associate Principal and Athletic Director Wyatt Anderson.

Anderson added, “When I asked students about it, one of them said she was ‘The best speaker we’ve ever had.’ Another, when asked what they will take away from Tasha’s message, said ‘Surround yourself with good people,’ clearly referring to the “T” in PATH.”

In April, Ladysmith Federal Savings & Loan participated in two events that further showed their commitment to the communities they serve — WBA’s Power of Community Week (April 18–23) and Teach Children to Save Day (April 28).

During Power of Community Week, Ladysmith Federal had secure shred bins at their Ladysmith location during  for customers to shred old paperwork or billing statements containing sensitive information. In addition, Ladysmith Federal staff not only planted trees in their local community but gifted Ladysmith and Flambeau Elementary students red oak trees to bring home to plant and brought them snacks during their Earth Day activities. Flambeau School board member, Joel Taylor, visited the students to show them how to take care of and plant their new trees.

For Teach Children to Save Day, Ladysmith Federal’s Financial Literacy Coordinator, Kat Detloff, visited Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary, Ladysmith Elementary, and Flambeau Elementary school students in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. Detloff read the book “It’s a Habit, Sammy Rabbit!” written by Sam X Renick and illustrated by Juan Alvarado. Sammy learns from his Auntie Squirly that saving every day is a great habit that can really pay off in the future. Students discussed the story and learned about how important it is to save money, especially if they have a goal.