Executive Letter: Advocating on Behalf of Our Industry
By Rose Oswald Poels
Across the state, Wisconsinites made their voices heard in Tuesday’s midterm election. While it is always important to exercise your right to vote, this year’s election has reminded bankers of the significance of advocating on behalf of our industry each day.
As the onslaught of political advertisements and communications come to an end, I emphasize the role you play to set our industry up for success.
At the heart of WBA’s mission and service to Wisconsin is its ability to advocate for the banking industry and bankers across the state. However, this charge is not an individual effort and, unfortunately, does not end following the results of the election.
Though many of us are aware — fundraising efforts are still in full swing. This year, WBA is campaigning to reach over $300,000 in support of Wisbankpac, our registered political action committee; the Alliance of Bankers for Wisconsin (ABW), our state conduit; and WBA’s issue advocacy fund. All money raised through these efforts is used to support and shape public opinion on pro-banking and pro-business issues.
As part of this, WBA annually recognizes banks that have gone above and beyond in their fundraising efforts as part of the WBA Gold Triangle Club. Determined by bank asset size, Gold Triangle membership is WBA’s highest level of fundraising recognition for banks. So far this year, 50 banks have achieved WBA’s Gold Triangle status for the personal contributions made by bank employees and directors.
If your bank is interested in achieving WBA’s Gold Triangle recognition or would like to learn more, please visit wisbank.com/give or contact Lorenzo Cruz.
Thank you once again for your continued support and active involvement in the betterment of our industry. Your voice and engagement in advocacy efforts as simple as casting your ballot today could make a world of difference in the success our industry sees tomorrow!
Thank you to the 51 banks that have already succeeded in achieving WBA’s Gold Triangle status this year:
- American National Bank – Fox Cities, Appleton
- Associated Bank, Green Bay
- Badger Bank, Fort Atkinson
- Bank Five Nine, Oconomowoc
- Bank of Brodhead
- Bank of Luxemburg
- Bank of Sun Prairie
- Bank of Wisconsin Dells
- Bankers’ Bank, Madison
- Bluff View Bank, Galesville
- Black River Country Bank, Black River Falls
- BLC Community Bank, Little Chute
- Bristol Morgan Bank, Oakfield
- Capitol Bank, Madison
- Charter Bank, Eau Claire
- Citizens Bank, Mukwonago
- Citizens First Bank, Viroqua
- Citizens State Bank of Loyal
- Coulee Bank, La Crosse
- East Wisconsin Savings Bank, Kaukauna
- The Equitable Bank, Wauwatosa
- Farmers State Bank, Hillsboro
- Farmers State Bank of Waupaca
- First Business Bank, Madison
- First Citizen State Bank, Whitewater
- First National Community Bank, New Richmond
- Forward Bank, Marshfield
- Forte Bank, Hartford
- Fortifi Bank, Berlin
- Greenwood’s State Bank, Lake Mills
- Horicon Bank
- Mound City Bank, Platteville
- National Bank of Commerce, Superior
- National Exchange Bank and Trust, Fond du Lac
- Nicolet National Bank, Green Bay
- North Shore Bank, Brookfield
- Oak Bank, Fitchburg
- Old National Bank, Evansville, IN
- Oostburg State Bank
- The Park Bank, Madison
- Partners Bank of Wisconsin, Marshfield
- Peoples State Bank, Prairie Du Chien
- The Peoples Community Bank, Mazomanie
- Premier Community Bank, Marion
- Security Financial Bank, Durand
- State Bank of Cross Plains
- The Stephenson National Bank and Trust, Marinette
- Superior Savings Bank
- Town Bank N.A., Hartland
- Waldo State Bank
- Wisconsin Bankers Association, Madison
- Wolf River Community Bank, Hortonville
