Executive Letter: Is Your Bank Getting the Most Out of Membership?
By Rose Oswald Poels
As we near the end of our membership renewal season with nearly 90% of dues already paid, I am struck by how fortunate WBA is to have the continuing support of banks across the state who recognize and value the impact of the Association. WBA Board Chair Al Araque from Johnson Financial Group is focusing on amplifying the impact of WBA membership during his term, and this seems like an opportune time to make sure that all members are not only aware of the benefits available to them through WBA, but even more importantly, that bankers employed in all roles at member institutions are utilizing those benefits.
A fundamental way to achieve that is to remind member banks that ALL bank employees are WBA members who can and should access information from the Association, engage with the Association, and take advantage of the full spectrum of benefits and opportunities from the Association.
We welcome you to connect one person on your team with our staff at WBA to review the list of your bank’s contacts that we have in our system and determine:
• Are all of the right people on your staff getting the Wisconsin Banker Daily?
• Who is receiving the bi-monthly print publication Wisconsin Banker?
• Who are key contacts at your bank —– such as your compliance officer, CFO, credit officer, HR manager, etc.?
This way, we can coordinate and customize the publications and emails staff at your bank receive from WBA to ensure they are aware of education events and resources that are tailored to their roles at the bank.
I encourage you to distribute this article with your colleagues, to share the following resource links that are available and regularly updated on the WBA website:
• Best Practices Library – a library of resources supplied by banker members of the many WBA Committees and Section Boards
• Education Events Page
• Consumer Resources – content that your bank can share with your customers
• Legal Call Program and Program FAQs
• WBA Compliance Journal – access current and past editions,
• WBA Peer Connect Groups – a collection of banker-only communities to help bankers connect and share!
• WBA’s Virtual Employee Resource Group
I’m always excited to hear that bank employees garner helpful information from a webinar (like the recent and popular free webinar on Generative AI), get inspired at a conference (like Women in Banking), or receive pertinent information to stay on top of the latest in compliance (through our annual Compliance Forum membership). It’s even more exciting when employees share those takeaways, inspiration, and knowledge with their colleagues. Some banks encourage employees who have engaged with WBA to report back to their co-workers about their experience by sharing information and reflections. I am a fan of that approach, because it truly does amplify the impact of the Association.
From the frontline to the CEO’s office, WBA has a plethora of ways to inform and support EVERY member. We are also always open to adding new and different resources for members. Please reach out to me with suggestions for content and materials that your team would like to have access to.
