Executive Letter: A Shared Commitment to Financial Literacy and Capability
By Rose Oswald Poels
We know that bankers throughout Wisconsin are working every day to help customers build a strong financial foundation and achieve their future goals. Bankers often do this work under the radar, but shining a light on these efforts and achievements can inspire others working in the industry and underscores how banks empower customers and community members to make sound financial decisions. WBA is fortunate to have dedicated bankers that proudly and consistently work to carry out this long-standing industry commitment to financial literacy.
The 2023–2024 WBF Financial Education Summary Forms recognize the achievements of both banks and their individual team members for their financial education presentations and activities from June 1, 2023, through May 31, 2024. These activities typically include volunteer hours with Junior Achievement, Teach Children to Save presentations, coaching teams of students for the Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl, and financial outreach or seminars that assist community members in managing or understanding their personal finances.
Individual bankers who have volunteered their time and insights through a visit, presentation, or other types of financial literacy-focused events complete the ‘Individual Summary Form.’ Submissions are compiled to highlight the number of presenters and participants, as well as the financial literacy topics covered, each fiscal year. Based on the number of presentations, bankers may also be selected to receive the Financial Literacy Banker of the Year Award, Financial Literacy Banker Award, or a certificate of excellence or recognition.
The bank-wide form captures information related to the bank’s financial education initiatives. Based on the level of a bank’s total activity, member banks may earn the Excellence in Financial Education Award, presented at the award ceremony at the WBA FLEX Retail & Marketing Summit on November 21, 2024.
Additionally, the Foundation’s highest honor, the Financial Education Innovation Award, is awarded to one bank that showcases an innovative, comprehensive financial education initiative or program. A separate ceremony honoring the Financial Education Innovation Award is held during the WBA’s annual Bank Executives Conference in February.
By documenting your bank’s endeavors in the realm of financial literacy, you are assisting the team at WBA as we work to share the impactful stories about Wisconsin banks and emphasize the value of the banking industry by:
• spotlighting the outstanding efforts of bankers in Wisconsin to increase the financial literacy and capability of their community members,
• celebrating financial education and the achievements of hundreds of bankers, and
• providing insight to Foundation staff on topics, tools, and demographics that can be incorporated into future resources.
This is why I encourage bankers not to be shy about sharing information about volunteer efforts. Make your efforts known by submitting the forms! I extend a heartfelt thank you to the bankers who have dedicated hours of their time and expertise to engage individuals of every age in financial education. This work is improving the futures of individuals and communities across Wisconsin.
The Foundation is genuinely honored to recognize and celebrate the wonderful and innovative efforts of the WBA membership. I urge all members — even those who do not seek recognition — to submit the two forms located on the Foundation’s website by Wednesday, July 31.
