By Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO
As Wisconsin students head back to their classrooms this fall, it’s a fitting reminder that learning is a lifelong endeavor. In banking, where regulations evolve, technology advances, and customer expectations continue to change, ongoing professional development is essential to both individual success and the strength of our industry. At the WBA, we’re proud to support bankers at every stage of their careers through high-quality educational programs designed to build knowledge, strengthen leadership, and prepare professionals for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Our fall lineup of schools and boot camps offers practical, hands-on learning experiences that help participants sharpen their skills, expand their expertise, and bring valuable insights back to their institutions.
Whether you’re beginning a banking career, preparing for a leadership role, developing lending expertise, or navigating an increasingly complex compliance environment, WBA education programs provide the tools and connections needed to succeed. Our programs deliver targeted instruction from experienced industry professionals while creating opportunities to network with peers from across Wisconsin.
As you invest in your own professional growth this season, I encourage you to explore some of the outstanding WBA educational opportunities listed below:
- Principles of Banking School: September 22–23 in Madison
- Personal Banker School: September 30–October 1 in Wisconsin Dells
- Supervisor Boot Camp: October 7–8 in Madison
- Advanced Commercial Lending School: October 13–14 in Madison
- IRA Essential Workshop or Advanced IRA Workshop: October 20 or 21 in Madison or Virtual
WBA’s Education team has also created an educational career path resource in the areas of credit analysis and commercial lending. The recently revised resource, first released in June, is intended to help bankers identify topics and educational opportunities that can help deepen one’s knowledge and help advance careers. Career path resources in other disciplines will be available shortly.
Investing in education is one of the most meaningful investments we can make, not only in ourselves, but in the future of our banks and the communities we serve. The knowledge gained through professional development empowers bankers to better support customers, strengthen relationships, and adapt to an ever-changing financial landscape. As we embrace this back-to-school season, I encourage bankers throughout Wisconsin to take advantage of WBA’s educational offerings and commit to continued growth. Together, we can ensure our industry remains strong, innovative, and prepared for whatever comes next.
Questions about WBA schools and boot camps can be directed to wbaeducation@wisbank.com.
