The Board of Directors for the State Bank of Reeseville is proud to announce that Danielle D. Steinhorst has been promoted to operations assistant at the January 2023 meeting. She will be assisting in the day-to-day operations forging ahead in the future success of the bank!
By Rose Oswald Poels
The history of Wisconsin’s banking industry is storied and expansive. Since 1892, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) has stood witness to generations of banking leaders who have made significant strides in ensuring the economic wellbeing of our communities and helping shape our industry into what we know today.
In 2020, the Association inaugurated its tradition of honoring current and former bankers who have demonstrated excellence in community service, civic involvement, and Wisconsin’s banking industry. A total of 26 prominent banking leaders have so far been commended for their commitment to our industry with a permanent plaque on display in WBA’s headquarters in Madison. The Leaders in Banking Excellence Wall is centrally located in WBA’s Engagement Center where thousands of bankers from across the state visit annually as they attend a variety of meetings and training programs.
Now in its fourth year, WBA is excited to once again recognize bankers who not only denote excellence in their positions, but exemplify the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and enthusiastic service.
Nominations to join the WBA Leaders in Banking Excellence Class of 2023 are now being accepted through May 12. If you are interested in nominating a banking leader for this prestigious honor, please visit wisbank.com/excellence or contact me for more information on how to apply.
Bankers have also been recognized posthumously. This honor wall does require a financial contribution of $10,000 payable to either WBA or its public charity, the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF). Once the Class of 2023 has been finalized, an in-person celebration will be held at the WBA Office in early September including speakers from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and a member of Congress.
Wisconsin’s banking history is full of many great leaders, and for the past thirty years (and counting) I have been privileged to work alongside you. This honor wall is a meaningful tribute to the individual and collective contributions many have made to our industry. Thank you for considering this invitation to nominate yourself or another to join our Class of 2023 Leaders in Banking Excellence Wall.
Chase Kostichka
First Business Bank is pleased to announce that Chase Kostichka, senior vice president – commercial real estate banking, is leading our commercial real estate team in our southeast Wisconsin market as of January 1, 2023.
Kostichka succeeds Bob Bell, who over the last 10 years, has led our southeast commercial real estate group and helped us deliver exceptional results. Going forward, Bell will remain with First Business Bank in a business development role, providing continuity for our team and a consistent, high-quality experience for our clients.
Kostichka has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry helping clients grow their businesses and avoid financial risk. His areas of focus include assisting commercial real estate and C&I relationships with financing strategies. Kostichka joined First Business Bank after spending seven years with M&I/BMO Harris Bank, most recently in the correspondent banking division focusing on C&I clients. During that time, he also completed the Corporate Banking Training Program which involved credit training and exposure to various areas within the bank.
Kostichka graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from UW-Stevens Point and was a four-year letter winner on the UW-Stevens Point Football team. He earned an MBA from Carroll University. Kostichka lives in the Delafield area with his wife and three sons and volunteers coaching youth sports.
One Community Bank is proud to continue investing in our communities. OCB is thrilled to donate $5,000 to the Village of Oregon for their tree planting initiative.
The Village of Oregon plans to use OCB’s donation to fund the terrace tree program, which allows residents to be partially reimbursed for trees they plant at their house, and to plant trees in the Village of Oregon. Trees will be planted at parks, cemeteries, and in the medians of public roads.
“One Community Bank is delighted to deepen our relationship with the Village of Oregon and contribute to the impact they are making. We are happy to support the tree planting initiative and are proud believers in tree sustainability. We believe in investing in our communities and are honored to donate $5,000 to this initiative” said Steve Peotter, president and CEO of One Community Bank.
“The Village of Oregon is honored that One Community Bank chose to make a generous donation to our tree planting initiative. It will go a long way in allowing us to be able to continue to grow this program. We are grateful to Steve and his team at One Community Bank for their donation” said Jeff Rau, Village of Oregon public works director.
One Community Bank remains committed to investing in our communities and is proud to support this feel-good organization.
Ericka Eckardt
Peoples State Bank has announced the hire of Ericka Eckardt as a mortgage lender serving the greater Rhinelander area. Eckardt will be based at the bank’s Rhinelander location but will meet with mortgage customers throughout northern Wisconsin.
“Peoples has a great reputation helping customers with mortgage loans and financing their dream homes,” said Eckardt. “I’m excited to work with Brandon Karaba, who has grown the Peoples mortgage business in Rhinelander and beyond.”
Eckardt joins Peoples with two years of experience as a mortgage lender, along with an additional eight and a half of experience in retail banking.
“Ericka’s experience in helping families finance their homes in the Rhinelander area is a big benefit to anyone looking for a home in Wisconsin’s Northwoods,” said Curtis McElhaney, Peoples State Bank vice president, mortgage. “Pairing Ericka with Brandon — who has taken on additional oversight of our Northwoods mortgage lenders — will create a great team for homebuyers in Rhinelander.”
Eckardt — a Rhinelander native — will assist customers in obtaining financing to purchase a home, refinance an existing mortgage, or set up a construction loan while building their dream home.
Bankers insure locally with trusted professionals
By Daryll J. Lund
In 1982, the Wisconsin Bankers Association Employee Benefits Corporation, Inc. (WBA EBC) was formed to provide flexible, high-quality health benefits and insurance coverage exclusively to members of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA). As our corporation moves into its 41st year, I thank each WBA member bank that has entrusted our team with their insurance needs.
As our organization continues to expand, it remains a top priority of our team to ensure that WBA members receive the options and preferred pricing that is typically reserved for large employers. Since 2018, WBA EBC has offered a statewide Association Health Plan (AHP) to all members. The AHP, administered by UnitedHealthcare (UHC), has saved WBA-member banks over $2.1 million in the last five years. By spreading the risk over large numbers we have been able to help nearly 50 banks and over 2,200 members.
By joining the WBA AHP, bankers enjoy benefits such as working with a dedicated, local association team; opportunities for cost savings; more plan options; a strong national network; and convenient resources.
Whether your bank is looking to add coverage to dental, medical, prescription drug, vision, or life and disability — WBA EBC is the one-stop-shop in providing your employees with afford- able, high-quality benefits for their well-being. Additionally, WBA EBC’s online portal allows for member-driven control of enrollment or changes, provided transparency with costs and expenses, as well as ensured banks have the ability to control administrative costs in the future.
Thank you to the 100+ banks throughout the state that have chosen the WBA-EBC for their insurance programs for 2023. With your enrollment, nearly 4,000 members have gained access to affordable insurance. WBA EBC Vice President Brian Siegenthaler, our dedicated team, and I look forward to continuing to provide flexible plans and wellness solutions to you and your employees.
Please visit wisbankins.com or contact Brian Siegenthaler at 608 441-1211 to learn more about the advantages we offer.
Park Bank is excited to announce its plans to open a new location in Cross Plains.
The branch will be located at 2407 Brewery Road in Cross Plains. Park Bank and building partners are eyeing a spring start to the beginning of construction on the existing property. Opening of the branch is anticipated this fall.
“This addition to Park Bank’s branch network in Cross Plains aligns with our mission to provide exceptional service and help our clients achieve better financial success,” said Jim Hegenbarth, president and CEO at Park Bank.
In September, Park Bank added three associates (Judy Ketelboeter, Kelly Powell, and Royce Wyss) to its Middleton branch. Collectively, the trio has served the Middleton and Cross Plains communities for more than 40 years. The Cross Plains branch will offer full-service consumer and business banking through this experienced and established team.
Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Waterloo is pleased to announce the promotions of Kyler Kabat to vice president, Brad Chadwick to vice president, Malinda Weisensel to vice president of operations, and Nicki Kelly to assistant vice president and director of marketing.
Pictured (left to right) are: Jennifer Baerwolf, Nick Sharrow, Randy Bobholz, Doug Caldwell, Rose Oswald Poels, Dr. Jerome Gaska, Doug Lambert, Curt Hanson, and June Waterworth.
On January 10, Randy Bobholz, president and CEO of Farmers and Merchants Union Bank in Columbus, was recognized by WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels with a WBA Lifetime Service Award for his tenure in the banking industry. In total, Bobholz has served 43 in banking.
First Business Bank has announced that its accounts receivable financing team recently funded a $10 million Accounts Receivable Ledgered Line facility to a client operating as a transportation brokerage.
“This transaction is an example of First Business Bank’s continuing commitment to the transportation sector,” said Bill Elliott, president – accounts receivable financing at First Business Specialty Finance, LLC, a subsidiary of First Business Bank. “We understand the challenges that the sector is presently facing, and we are actively structuring transactions to help our clients deal with these challenges.”
The accounts receivable financing team provides funding in amounts of $100,000 to $18,000,000 to companies seeking to improve cash flow and take advantage of every business opportunity.
