Archive for category: Uncategorized

Wolf River Community Bank Announces Over $25,000 in Community Donations

Featuring $10,000 Contributions to New London Public Library and High School Fitness Center and over $5,000 in Employee-Driven Donations through New Giving Program

Wolf River Community Bank is proud to announce its commitment to supporting community initiatives with more than $25,000 in donations going out in December, marking a strong finish to the year. This includes $10,000 for both the New London Public Library Building Project and the Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center Renovation at New London High School. Additionally, over $5,000 was contributed on behalf of Wolf River Community Bank staff members through the bank’s new employee-driven giving initiative, which empowers staff to support causes that are important to them.

These contributions are part of the nearly $100,000 in sponsorships and donations that Wolf River Community Bank gives annually to strengthen and support its communities. This commitment underscores the bank’s dedication to fostering growth, opportunity, and meaningful connections. As the bank’s philosophy goes, “When we do well, we can do good!”

Conner Klein and Julia Treadwell, employees of Wolf River Community Bank, share the local charities they supported through the bank’s Wolfpack Give Back Program. This new initiative empowers employees to direct donations to organizations close to their hearts, with contributions made by the bank in their honor.

New Employee-Driven Donation Initiative: The Wolfpack Give Back Program

The bank’s first end-of-year employee giving program was launched in late 2024. The Wolfpack Give Back Program is a new initiative empowering each employee to designate $100 of bank funds to a local organization that holds a special place in their hearts. This program encourages staff to celebrate the bank’s success by supporting worthy causes that are important to them. In its first year, the bank donated a total of $5,200 to 38 local organizations on behalf of each bank employee.

Employees shared their reasons for choosing charities, with many stating a personal connection. Julia Treadwell, Universal Banker for Wolf River Community Bank noted, “My sister, Carly, is a Prevention Specialist for Vivent Health in Appleton. She is a recovering heroin addict who found her way to sobriety and completely transformed her life. Today, she gives back through her work at Vivent, where she draws on her own experience to educate individuals, schools, and local law enforcement on harm reduction and safe prevention practices, including how to administer Narcan/Naloxone.” Treadwell added, “Addiction knows no bounds—it can take hold of anyone and lead to a fast, downward spiral. Vivent provides support without judgment or stigma, ensuring that those in need have access to life-saving tools and the hope to make it through another day.”

Conner Klein, Credit Analyst, shared, “CP, Inc. provides day services and therapy for individuals with physical, cognitive, developmental, and sensory conditions. My brother, who has cerebral palsy, has benefited from CP’s programs for many years, including summer programs as a child and day services as an adult. These services offer enriching opportunities that my family can’t provide every day. CP helps my brother socialize, participate in activities like Music & Movement and Gardening, and receive essential therapy. I support CP for the positive impact it has on my brother and other families, offering both care and relief to caregivers.”

Letters were sent after the first of the year to the recipient organizations, expressing gratitude and sharing the donation details. The full list of charities supported through the program includes:

  • American Cancer Society of Wisconsin
  • American Heart Association
  • Appleton Community Music, Inc.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley/BGC of Highlands Elementary School
  • CAYA Clinic
  • Clintonville Area Swim Team
  • Community Clothes Closet, CP, Inc.
  • Empowered Tutoring
  • Fox Valley Humane Association
  • Fox Valley Memory Project
  • Greenville Civic Club
  • Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
  • Heads Up Fox Cities
  • Hope Clinic and Care Center
  • Hortonville Community Food Pantry
  • Hortonville Elementary School PTO
  • Humane Society of Waupaca County
  • Jake’s Network of Hope
  • Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
  • Mosquito Hill Nature Center
  • NAMI Fox Valley Inc.
  • National Brain Tumor Society
  • National MS Society
  • New London High School Softball Program
  • Old Glory Honor Flight
  • Orphan Animal Rescue & Sanctuary
  • Pillars
  • Readfield Elementary School PTO
  • Shawano County Humane Society
  • Shiocton Steps for Suicide Awareness
  • St Peter and Paul Church
  • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  • Town of Dale Fire and Rescue
  • Vivent Health Appleton
  • Washington Center Community Cupboard
  • Wreaths Across America

The Wolfpack Give Back program is a reflection of the bank’s core values, demonstrating a commitment to both community support and valuing and empowering their dedicated team members. Joe Peikert, CEO of Wolf River Community Bank, said, “I’m both excited and humbled by the response we received from our employees for the Wolfpack Give Back program. Their thoughtful contributions reflect the care they have for their communities, and I’m proud to see so many organizations benefit from our shared success.”

Wolf River Community Bank presents a $10,000 check to support the New London Public Library Building Project, a key initiative aimed at enhancing community learning and engagement. Back row (left to right): Steve Hart, President of the New London Library/Museum Board; Ann Hunt, Director of the New London Public Library; and Joe Peikert, CEO of Wolf River Community Bank. Front row (left to right): Virginia Schlais, Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee; Karen Duch, VP- Lending Officer of Wolf River Community Bank; and Connie Zolkoske, Fundraising Committee Member & President of the Friends of the New London Library.

$10,000 Donation to New London Public Library Building Project

Wolf River Community Bank recently donated $10,000 to the New London Public Library Building Project. This initiative will create a modern space that will enhance learning and community engagement. The remodeled facility will include youth and adult services, a wellness room, an interactive play area for children, a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) area, an industrial space with equipment like CNC machines and laser cutters, a teen space, a video room with a green screen, a music room, additional computers, small meeting rooms for study groups and tutoring, and a community meeting room with a commercial kitchen. Alongside the bank’s contribution and many other charitable donations, the City of New London received a $3,900,000 grant from the State of Wisconsin to support this transformative library project.

The New London Public Library will relocate to a spacious 26,000-square-foot, two-story building on North Water Street. This library’s capital campaign will support the development of a unified space, bringing together the current library’s offerings and the much-needed technology spaces that have been in the planning stages for the past few years. The building will be renovated to accommodate the library’s needs. The museum, currently located on the library’s lower level, will move upstairs to occupy the entire building, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Ann Hunt, Director of the New London Public Library, said, “This generous donation from Wolf River Community Bank brings us closer to creating a space where learning, creativity, and community can thrive together. We’re incredibly grateful for their support, for the grant from the state, and for the donations from local individuals, businesses, and organizations that are helping to make this vision a reality.”

Wolf River Community Bank is proud to contribute $10,000 to the Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center Renovation Project at New London High School. Pictured at the donation presentation: Back row (left to right): Philip Sloma, Associate Principal / Activities Director for New London High School; Amanda Hayden, Treasury Management Officer for Wolf River Community Bank; Brian Yerkey, New London High School Principal; Joe Peikert, CEO of Wolf River Community Bank. Front row (left to right): Karen Duch, VP- Lending Officer of Wolf River Community Bank and Amber Yerkey, Physical Education Teacher at New London High School.

$10,000 Donation to Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center Renovation Project at New London High School

Additionally, Wolf River Community Bank contributed to another New London initiative – a $10,000 donation to the Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center Renovation Project at New London High School. Named in honor of Randy Marsh—a dedicated coach, teacher, and administrator who impacted countless students—this project will transform the outdated fitness center into a state-of-the-art facility, fostering health, strength, safety, and accessibility for all students.

Rendering of the newly envisioned Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center at New London High School, set to undergo a major renovation, creating a state-of-the-art fitness space for students.

“Our sincere thanks to Wolf River Community Bank for their generous monetary commitment to support the School District of New London’s vision to enhance our high school strength and conditioning center,” said Scott Bleck, New London School District Administrator. “Their investment will help transform an outdated facility into a modern, state-of-the-art space that meets the evolving needs of our students and student-athletes. We are truly grateful for their generosity and dedication to the growth and well-being of our school community. Their support will make a lasting impact on our students for years to come.”

Joe Peikert continued, “At Wolf River Community Bank, we’re incredibly grateful to be able to invest in our communities. Our success is a direct reflection of the trust our communities place in us as their bank, and when we achieve strong financial results, we see it as our responsibility to give back. We hope these donations help fuel the extraordinary missions of these deserving organizations, and that, through our support, we can create lasting, positive change in the lives of those they serve. It’s a privilege to help build stronger, more vibrant communities for all.”

If you would like to support the New London Library or High School Fitness Center projects, donations can be made directly on the school’s website for the fitness center renovation and on the library’s website for the building project.

/by
, , ,

Building Bridges: Strategies for Reaching and Supporting Hispanic Customers

By Katie Reiser

The Hispanic community is one of the fastest-growing demographics in the United States, projected to reach 30% of the population by 2060, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In Wisconsin, Hispanics already make up a significant and growing portion of the population, creating both an opportunity and a responsibility for banks to better serve this vital community. By adopting culturally responsive outreach strategies, banks can foster trust, improve financial literacy, and grow their customer base.

In September, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI) and BankOn Greater Milwaukee hosted a conference, Promoting Economic Inclusion in Milwaukee’s Hispanic and Latino Community, which helped shine a light on what financial institutions, non-profit organizations, and the FDIC are doing to build these bridges. Many of the bankers interviewed for this article participated in panel discussions during the conference or shared important data.

Note: The terms Hispanic and Latino are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings. Hispanic refers to people connected to Spanish-speaking countries, while Latino emphasizes connections to Latin America, regardless of language. In this article, we have chosen to use the term Hispanic for consistency, unless an interviewee specifically used the term Latino.

Here are some proven strategies and actionable tips to consider, combined with insights from bankers and professionals who are making an impact in Wisconsin.

Develop Bilingual Resources and Services
Language barriers are a significant hurdle for many Hispanic customers, especially those who are recent immigrants or first generation Americans. Offering bilingual services, both in person and online, is a foundational step to improving accessibility.
• Hire bilingual staff: Having employees who can communicate fluently in Spanish demonstrates respect and commitment to serving the community.
• Translate materials: Ensure that brochures, websites, mobile apps, and marketing materials are available in both English and Spanish.
• Leverage technology: Provide live translation services or chatbots that can assist Spanish-speaking customers in real time.

Across the board, the language barrier remains the highest hurdle. Jennifer Lamb, loan officer with Great Midwest Bank said, “Providing bilingual materials, having actual staff members or customer service representatives that speak the language, and online resources can definitely alleviate some of the language barriers that we see.”

It goes beyond simply having a few brochures and forms translated into Spanish. Lamb said, “Many Hispanic families nowadays, they’re tech savvy. A lot of them are starting to use digital platforms and digital services like mobile banking.” She recommends a robust online platform, along with the option for the families to do their banking in person.

Sara Fameree, retail sales office manager with Bank of Luxemburg, said, “In my branch, there are three of us who speak Spanish, and we are very much in that community. So that has been essential for us to be able to assist those customers.” She added, “Beyond that, even in the call center you need to have adequate staff to be able to assist those customers because they’re not just opening up checking accounts, they’re getting mortgages, getting business loans.” She shared, “To have that language available to them, customers are just going to feel so much more comfortable and more welcomed to work with you.” Fameree revealed that often customers are initially shy due to the language barrier, but “You see their face light up and they react like ‘oh my goodness you speak my language.’”

Build Trust Through Financial Literacy Programs
Many Hispanic individuals come from cultures with different financial systems or may have had limited access to banking services. Providing financial education can help demystify banking and encourage long-term relationships.
•  Offer free workshops: Host community events on topics like budgeting, credit building, home buying, and small business loans.
•  Partner with local organizations: Collaborate with Hispanic chambers of commerce, community centers, non-profits, or churches to co-host educational events.
•  Create youth programs: Partner with schools to teach financial literacy to young students, helping families build intergenerational wealth.

Sanjuana Maqueda, loan officer with North Shore Bank, stressed the importance of good listening skills and respect when it comes to cultural differences. “You can be Hispanic but come from many different countries. We do have the Spanish language in common, but so much depends on the person’s background and past financial experiences in their country.”

Another issue to be aware of that Maqueda has noted while working extensively with Hispanic customers is that often customers will feel more secure when they have a lot of cash on hand. This sometimes stems from distrust in the U.S. financial system. Her bank works to educate customers and increase their faith in the security of U.S. banks. Maqueda has also found that some customers’ beliefs about banking and what is possible for their own financial futures are heavily influenced by others. Customers will say to her, “Oh my friend said this, or my mom, my grandma, my uncle, or my coworker.” Maqueda shared she asks questions to reveal the origins of their concerns, uncover misinformation, and then will explain, “You know you can do this [alternative bank product] and it might be more beneficial for you based on your own case.” She stresses that each individual is unique and that despite what customers may have heard from their inner circle, what has worked for a relative may not be the best financial fit for them.

Maqueda described the bank’s successful partnerships with local community organizations like: United Community Center, Housing Resources Inc., Acts Housing, La Casa de Esperanza, and Hispanic Round Table.

Gina M. Sanchez Juarez is the director of the Center for Financial Stability at La Casa de Esperanza, Inc. The Center’s Financial Stability Initiative is a collaborative of for-profit and non-profit organizations, with the goal of assisting families in attaining financial stability and building wealth. Sanchez Juarez shared a personal story related to cultural awareness that recently impacted her own banking experience. After detecting fraud on her account, she needed to open a different account and pointed out to the banker that she has two last names (common with Hispanics). The banker unfortunately brushed her warning off. She encountered difficulties cashing checks with the new account because her name had been entered incorrectly despite her request.
Sanchez Juarez said, “There’s a lot of differences in the socioeconomic and cultural factors with many of our clients. They have a lack of trust, especially if they are either going through a legalization process in the U.S. or possibly if they have an ITIN or even if they don’t.” Based on their prior experiences in another country, they may not feel confident about the safety of their money or the ease of accessing their money in a financial institution.

Engage Through Culturally Relevant Marketing
Effective outreach to Hispanic customers requires understanding cultural nuances and crafting marketing messages that resonate.
•  Highlight shared values: Focus on themes like family, community, and hard work, which are highly valued in Hispanic culture.
•  Celebrate cultural events: Host or sponsor events such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Día de los Muertos, or local festivals.
•  Advertise in Spanish: Place ads in Spanish-language media, including newspapers, radio stations, and social media channels.

Lamb shared, “Engagement initiatives like sponsorships of local events within the Hispanic community can foster trust and a sense of belonging.” She added, “A sponsorship is a good thing, but you actually have to show up to community events,” further explaining, “you can’t just send a check and think that that’s going to work.” Lamb emphasized that typically the Hispanic community wants to know who they are working with and recommends that bank professionals “actually hit the pavement and get out in the community and be seen along with the sponsorships and workshops.” She believes this goes a long way because the Hispanic community tends to prefer engaging with people who they know and feel comfortable with.

Kathleen Rolfs, VP/chief marketing and communications officer with PremierBank, wrote an informative article which is still accessible on the WBA website, “Serving Increasingly Diverse Communities” for Wisconsin Banker a few years ago outlining the innovative work being done by their Bilingual Initiatives Committee, a group comprised of several bilingual bankers along with marketing and retail banking officers. The goals for 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.”

Provide Tailored Banking Products
Hispanic customers may have unique financial needs that require customized banking solutions.
•  Simplify account opening: Make it easier to open accounts by accepting alternative forms of identification, such as Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs).
•  Offer remittance services: Many Hispanic customers send money to family members abroad. Providing affordable, reliable remittance options can meet this critical need.
•  Design targeted products: Consider savings accounts for immigration-related expenses or low-interest loans for small businesses in Hispanic communities.

Sanchez Juarez described a successful co-branded product, La Casa de Esperanza Loan Program Powered by Peoples State Bank. La Casa has been serving the community since 1996, so “we’re trusted by many folks.” This low-interest emergency loan program is for people with credit challenges or no credit to borrow $1,000 to $3,000. Criteria considered: Has the applicant been working a year or more at their job? Are they able to afford a loan payment? The rate is 3.99% with a 36-month payback term, and financial counseling is paired with the loan. Sanchez Juarez suggests that there are many positive programs that can be done in partnership with local organizations, “if you just have more conversations about the needs of the people in your community.”

Build Long-Term Community Relationships
Trust is built through consistent and meaningful engagement. Showing up for the Hispanic community beyond transactional interactions demonstrates a genuine commitment.
•  Hire from the community: Employing local staff members who reflect the community fosters familiarity and trust.
•  Sponsor community events: Support local parades, festivals, or sports teams that are popular within the Hispanic community.
•  Create advisory councils: Establish Hispanic advisory boards to guide the bank in making culturally sensitive decisions.

Sanchez Juarez recommends patience when offering workshops and educational sessions in the community in collaboration with local organizations, “You’re not going to see big turnouts in the first three or four sessions.” It may be just a few people attending initially, but she believes consistency pays off.

Fameree also stressed the importance of banks showing a long-term commitment, “With the Hispanic community it really boils down to word of mouth. If you are doing something right, that positive word of mouth is going to reflect that.”

FDIC’s Insights and Resources
At the Milwaukee AEI conference these top responses were shared from Hispanic participants in the FDIC’s National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households 2021 who were asked what their main reasons are for not having a bank account:
•  Don’t have enough money to meet minimum balance requirements
•  Avoiding a bank gives more privacy
•  Don’t trust banks
•  Don’t have personal identification required to open an account

The FDIC’s Money Smart program is a good entry point for banks considering engaging with the Hispanic community in their area but may be unsure of how to tap into resources, especially when it comes to Spanish materials. Not only is the Money Smart collateral translated into Spanish, that entire portion of fdic.gov is available in Spanish (Programa Money Smart). Sanchez Juarez spoke highly of it, “They have curriculum, they have instructional workbooks, and they have online options banks can use.”

Beyond Personal Accounts, Banks Perfectly Poised to Foster Business Growth
Oakleigh Ryan, founding principal of Whiton House, a management consultancy and engagement institute based in Janesville, has partnered with PremierBank through her board work with Forward Janesville and its Foundation. Ryan believes banks are in a perfect position to build bridges in the Hispanic business community. Ryan said banks partnering with their local chamber is a “great way to make sure Hispanic businesses feel like they are part of the bigger economic community in their town.” Ryan explained, “The largest growing sector of consumers in the United States are of Latino descent, so if you’re in business it makes sense to figure out how to work with this important population in our community.”

Ryan described feeling like she had hit a goldmine when she initially met with Silvia Donday-Selenske, residential loan officer with PremierBank, because Donday-Selenske was incredibly well-connected in the community and it was obvious that PremierBank had intentionally increased their Spanish language capacity and concentrated on engaging with the Hispanic community in a very visible way. Part of Donday-Selenske’s job is getting to know new business owners, with priority placed on in-person communications, which resonate more with the Hispanic community. Ryan described successful classes that have been hosted at PremierBank, including classes on how business owners can use credit and be smarter about energy efficiency and a class on obtaining business loans.

Looking Ahead
Reaching the Hispanic community is not just about inclusivity — it is a smart business decision. According to a report from Nielsen, Hispanic consumers wield $1.9 trillion in purchasing power annually. By addressing barriers, investing in financial education for customers, professional development for staff, and celebrating culture, banks can play a pivotal role in the financial empowerment of this growing demographic while expanding their own market share.
As Wisconsin bankers look to the future, building bridges with Hispanic communities can ensure everyone has access to the financial tools they need to succeed. By learning from each other and sharing best practices, Wisconsin banks can create a landscape that is as inclusive as it is prosperous.
Lamb suggest focusing on prioritizing diversity and inclusion to stand out. Increased business and stronger customer loyalty will follow for banks after “creating that space and building a reputation for fairness and transparency.”
When asked what is most gratifying about her job, Lamb shared, “Success for me is knowing that the families that I work with now have the tools to create generational wealth. I’ve had the opportunity to help entire families.” She added, “It’s gratifying because they accomplished something they looked forward to — becoming homeowners, and now they are hyped up and are starting their business, paying down debt, or finally building their forever home after their small first home. They were able to take advantage of the tools and resources that we offered.”

/by
,

Executive Letter: Advocacy Win: FCC Allows Banks to Issue LOCs to Recipients of High-Cost Support Awards

By Rose Oswald Poels

In actions which first began back in February, WBA lead industry efforts to convince the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the need to revise rules which required banks to obtain a Weiss bank safety rating of B- or better in order to be eligible to provide a letter of credit (LOC) to recipients of FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.

In those efforts, I am extremely proud to have been able to partner with other state banking associations to become engaged in these efforts and of the success in August of having 75 State Banking Associations join with WBA to file a coalition letter asking for FCC to revise their rules and eliminate the requirement for banks to maintain a Weiss bank safety rating of B- or better.

I am excited to report that in actions taken last week, FCC announced the elimination of the use of the Weiss bank safety rating as the standard for banks to be considered “acceptable to FCC” for the purpose of issuing qualifying program LOCs. FCC revised their rules to make a bank “acceptable to FCC” if it is a United States bank insured by FDIC that meets the criteria to be considered “well capitalized” as determined by FDIC, FRB, or OCC.

When future LOCs are submitted by FCC program recipients to demonstrate compliance with FCC rules, FCC will require a certification from a United States bank’s officer that the bank meets the criteria to be considered well capitalized by FDIC, FRB, or OCC. FCC will confirm the bank’s status on publicly-available metrics.

In addition, FCC did not expand the program to allow credit unions to participate as being “acceptable to FCC” under the program rules. FCC received this request during the open comment period of their rule revision process.

Often, results on the advocacy front can take a long time. However, thanks to the efforts of several WBA members who shared their insights with me regarding the matter earlier this year, WBA’s repeated advocacy, as well as broad industry advocacy, the FCC staff conducted a thoughtful and thorough review of their rules’ requirements and of the impacts of using an unreliable bank safety rating tool on the mission of their programs and on rural communities. Thanks to the actions by FCC, rural communities will continue to have the support of eligible telecommunications carriers and banks can continue to support their local carriers and communities while still protecting the integrity of FCC’s programs.

/by
,

Was the CrowdStrike Incident a Fluke or the Beginning of a Trend?

By Rob Foxx

On July 19, 2024, CrowdStrike pushed out an update to their customer base that disabled an estimated 8.5 million computer systems across the world. This not only damaged their reputation, but it also sent fear and uncertainty into those businesses that utilize IT services. This single event cost about $5.5 billion in damages and business loss.

The real question is who can be affected by an event like this. The short answer is anyone who uses any products or services that can affect the system files of a computer. This includes Microsoft Windows automated updates, antivirus, remote configuration tools, and many others. For those who are not familiar with the previously mentioned list you have several of these on any given business computer.

So why do we not hear about events like this more often? The reality of the situation is these events happen every day. Windows updates pushed out by a managed service provider that removes all network drivers, thus disabling the connection to the login service rendering a computer useless, was my personal CrowdStrike. This happened several times over the course of a month, anti-virus similar to CrowdStrike that disables use of business-critical software or core access. An update to Windows that prevents backup software from running correctly. These have all happened. Most people have never heard of these events as they did not have a worldwide impact or cost billions of dollars in losses. CrowdStrike made news because of their wide adoption as they offer a service only a handful of other companies do.

So how do I protect my organization? The only 100% means of protecting your computer environment is to power it down, unplug it, and bury it in concrete. Business, however, runs on acceptable risk, so let us look at what could help lower your risk and impact. During the course of onboarding or reviewing a vendor for contract renewal, you can verify or request that they add in testing criteria before sending out updates. Comparing vendor services with an RFP (Request for proposal) can identify whether a service fits your needs. Several similar companies allow for the designation of a test group which includes a sampling of computers across your organization. This group should fill all the key roles to running your enterprise and test for a week or more before the updates are pushed to the rest. Perhaps one of the best means to protect yourself is to have knowledgeable IT on staff or as an on-call vendor. The fix to restore CrowdStrike would take per computer less than 10 minutes at a keyboard. A little longer if the computer has BitLocker or other similar protections in place. A good recovery plan and continuity for running on alternate systems can also save quite a bit of recovery time.

I do believe there will be more events like the CrowdStrike outage, especially given how large some services grow to global offerings. I believe vendors will be more cautious in their products. Will you be more cautious in your implementations?

Foxx is director – infosec and IT audit services for FIPCO, a WBA Gold Associate Member.

/by
, ,

Bob Reinders Honored with WBA Lifetime Service Award

Pictured (left to right): Johnson Financial Group Chief Risk Officer Todd Shaffer, Johnson Financial Group VP Compliance Officer Bob Reinders, and WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels.

On September 30, WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels presented Johnson Financial Group’s Bob Reinders with a WBA Lifetime Service Award for 40 years of service to the banking industry.

 

/by
, ,

Bank Five Nine Donates to Lakeshore Community Health Care’s Commitment to CARE

Pictured (left to right:): Stacey Wagoner, AVP, West Bend Branch Manager at Bank Five Nine, and Kristin Stearns, CEO at Lakeshore Community Health Care.

Bank Five Nine was happy to donate $1,000 to Lakeshore Community Health Care’s (LCHC) Commitment to CARE.

LCHC’s mission is to provide access to comprehensive, integrated health care regardless of ability to pay, eliminating health disparities among the underserved. Their vision is to create communities where all people live healthy and active lives.

“As a community health center, this generous gift will help us provide essential medical, mental health, dental, and pharmacy services to everyone in our community, regardless of their income or insurance status,” said Kristin Stearns, CEO of Lakeshore Community Health Care. “We are truly grateful for Bank Five Nine’s dedication to helping our neighbors lead healthier lives.”

“LCHC and its Community Cares initiative provide uninsured and low-income residents of Washington County with the necessary medical assistance. We are honored to donate to a non-profit that ‘Makes Lives Better’ by helping the community and improving the health of its residents,” said Tim Schneider, CEO and President at Bank Five Nine.

For more information about this organization, please visit lakeshorechc.org To learn more about Bank Five Nine and their charitable giving, please visit bankfivenine.com

 

 

/by
, ,

Kearns is New Prevail Bank Vice President

Michelle Kearns, VP – Compliance Manager Prevail Bank – Wisconsin Rapids

Prevail Bank is pleased to announce that Michelle Kearns is the bank’s new Vice President of Compliance. Kearns, an accomplished Compliance and Risk professional, brings nearly 20 years’ experience in the areas of auditing and compliance, risk management, residential/consumer lending and loan processing to Prevail Bank. Her home base will be Prevail Bank – Wisconsin Rapids. She will be succeeding long-time professional, Lenore Breit, who will be retiring soon.

“Michelle is an excellent problem solver and communicator,” said Scott Romportl, Chief Risk Officer. “Her strengths in organization, attention to detail, and knowledge of banking regulations, risk management, and the administration of compliance programs are valuable assets. We are excited to have Michelle join our team.”

Kearns is active within the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) and volunteers for various events within her community. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family, attending her children’s sporting events, and volunteering/supporting community activities.

 

/by
, ,

Bank of America Names Drew Slocum as Wisconsin President

Drew Slocum

Bank of America recently named Drew Slocum as president of Bank of America Wisconsin. As president, Slocum will lead the Wisconsin market and will be responsible for connecting clients, teammates and communities to the bank’s eight lines of businesses and the full power of Bank of America.

Slocum joined Bank of America in 2006 and has over two decades of experience in the financial services sector. In his new role, Slocum will also lead the bank’s work to grow market share as one of the company’s newest expansion markets and direct efforts to deploy resources in order to help advance economic mobility and build strong communities.

“During his longstanding career at Bank of America, Drew has established deep relationships with teammates, clients, and the communities in Wisconsin,” said Brian Moynihan, Bank of America chairman and chief executive officer. “Drew is well positioned to grow our presence in Wisconsin and deliver the full breadth of Bank of America’s capabilities to help our local clients improve their financial lives.”

Slocum joined Bank of America in Chicago and returned home to Wisconsin in 2013 as the state’s first Global Commercial Banking relationship manager. He currently serves as Global Commercial Banking market executive, leading a team of middle market bankers in Wisconsin.

Growing up outside of Milwaukee, Slocum is active in the community and is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Wisconsin Economic Roundtable and the Future Wisconsin Project steering committee, as well as an executive partner for the M7 Economic Development Organization. In addition, he is a board member and past board chair of First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin and board member of WMC Foundation. He lives in Mequon with his wife and two daughters.

/by

Engaging the Next Generation of Customers

By Ashley Clemons

Ashley Clemons

In today’s banking landscape, capturing the attention and trust of younger generations — specifically Millennials and Gen Z — is crucial for the sustained growth and relevance of community banks. This tech-savvy group not only represent a significant portion of the consumer market but also bring unique expectations and preferences to their banking experiences. To effectively engage and attract Millennials and Gen Z, try focusing on these important topics:

Understanding Their Needs and Preferences

Millennials and Gen Z value convenience, transparency, and digital accessibility in their banking interactions. They expect seamless digital experiences in all aspects of their everyday life, including their banking services. Offering user-friendly mobile banking apps, online account management tools, and responsive customer service channels are great ways to fulfill this expectation.

Educational Content and Financial Literacy Initiatives

Younger generations appreciate banks that go beyond transactional relationships by offering valuable educational resources and promoting financial literacy. Try differentiating by creating content that educates Millennials and Gen Z about financial planning, budgeting, and saving strategies. Hosting workshops or webinars on topics like student loans, homebuying tips, how to budget effectively, or investing basics can establish credibility and build trust among this demographic.

Innovative Banking Solutions

Offering innovative banking solutions tailored to the needs of younger generations can set banks apart.

Features such as mobile check deposit, chat features, peer-to-peer payment, and automated savings tools appeal to Millennials and Gen Z who prioritize convenience and efficiency.

Building Trust and Credibility

Trust is vital for Millennials and Gen Z when choosing a financial institution. Build trust by maintaining transparent communication, prioritizing data security, and delivering on promises made in marketing campaigns. Positive online reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers can further bolster credibility to attract this group of consumers.

Digital Engagement and Social Media Presence

Leverage your social media platforms and digital marketing channels to engage Millennials and Gen Z effectively. Regularly updating social media profiles with relevant content, customer testimonials, and community involvement highlights can enhance brand visibility and attract younger customers who are active on these platforms. Engaging with followers through interactive posts, polls, and Q&A sessions is a great way to create a sense of community and responsiveness.

Clemons is VP – marketing at The Peoples Community Bank and member of the 2024–2025 WBA Marketing Committee.

/by
, ,

Peoples State Bank Hires Corey Barnes

Corey Barnes

Peoples State Bank announces Corey Barnes as Retail Sales Manager in Wausau. Barnes will be responsible for leading branch retail sales and service efforts.

“Corey brings nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry to Peoples. His knowledge of working with both mid-sized and large banks will be critical to our continued success,” said Jeffrey Saxton, Peoples State Bank vice president, and retail group leader. “We’re confident he will be a significant addition to our leadership team while supporting the growth we’re experiencing.”

Barnes most recently worked in a leadership position at a local credit union. He is looking forward to joining Peoples in this newly created role.

“Peoples State Bank is well-known and respected in the area,” said Barnes. “I’m excited to join Peoples and contribute to their success as a strong community bank that supports local economic growth. I plan to use my energy and skillset to motivate, lead, and encourage positive productivity while remaining dedicated to serving our customers.”

Barnes is a Wausau native who has lived in central Wisconsin nearly all his life. He holds a sales management degree from Minnesota South-East Technical College and a marketing degree from Western Wisconsin Technical College. He enjoys spending time with his family and volunteering at several organizations in the Wausau area.

/by
Wisconsin Bankers Association logo

questions@wisbank.com

608-441-1200

4721 S Biltmore Ln.
Madison, WI 53718

Get our Newsletter!
Subscribe