Chair’s Column — Relevance in a Changing World: A Vision for Community Banks and WBA

On June 11, I was incredibly honored to be installed as Chair of the WBA Board of Directors. During the ceremony at the WBA office, we welcomed new board members and expressed our gratitude to those who completed their terms.
A special thanks goes to our outgoing chair, Al Araque, SVP and director of consumer, private, and business banking at Johnson Financial Group in Racine. His leadership and passion generated a lot of positive momentum for the Association. Al’s theme during his term was “impact,” and you’ll see in the Year in Review section of this issue just how much WBA and its members have accomplished.

When I thought about the theme I wanted to focus on this year, the word “relevance” really stood out. Community banks are deeply relevant — we champion small businesses, support local farmers, and serve as trusted partners in our communities. Relevance is also about leadership and building companies that focus on the people and not just the numbers.

I met with WBA staff after the installation and spoke about a few of the ways I see relevance showing up in our work.

In Community Banking
•  Meeting customers where they are
Community banks stay relevant by keeping up with evolving customer expectations. Whether it’s through mobile banking, digital tools, or continuing to deliver a personal touch, we remain competitive by staying flexible and responsive.
•  Supporting local economies
We play a visible role in our communities by providing small business loans, agricultural financing, and financial education. Our presence makes a difference — and that keeps us relevant.
•  Growing our teams
When banks invest in leadership development, mentorship, and education, they show their teams that banking isn’t just a job — it’s a long-term career with purpose and meaning.

At the Association Level
•  Speaking up for the industry
WBA’s advocacy work is a big part of staying relevant. Whether it’s at the Capitol in Madison or in D.C., we make sure lawmakers understand how their decisions affect banks and the people we serve.
• Delivering tools and professional development opportunities that matter
WBA keeps members up to speed with training, compliance support, and leadership programs that reflect what’s happening in the industry right now (and what’s coming down the pike).
•  Helping bankers connect
Programs like WBA Connect Peer Groups and BOLT give bankers across the state a chance to learn from each other, share ideas, and work through challenges together.
•  Balancing innovation with our roots.
Relevance doesn’t mean jumping on every new trend. It means knowing when and how to adopt change in a way that continues to honor what community banking is all about — relationships, service, and trust.

I’m excited for the year ahead and grateful to be working alongside all of you, WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels, and the entire WBA team as we continue to move our industry forward.