Joe Friedling

First Business Bank welcomes Joe Friedling to its subsidiary, First Business Specialty Finance, LLC, as vice president – equipment finance. Based in California, he brings decades of experience in equipment financing and leasing, working across direct, vendor, and manufacturer programs nationwide.

Friedling helps equipment vendors, manufacturers, and business owners structure financing that supports growth, preserves capital, and aligns with the economics of each transaction. His background includes managing national territories, developing vendor relationships, and delivering financing solutions across a wide range of industries, including construction, transportation, technology, and healthcare. He is known for evaluating business needs, assessing return on investment, and aligning clients with financing options that support long-term success.

“Joe brings extensive equipment finance experience and a strong ability to build vendor relationships across the country,” said Dave Lempko, senior vice president – sales manager – equipment finance at First Business Bank. “His background across direct and vendor channels strengthens our ability to support manufacturers and dealers with financing programs that help them grow their sales and serve their customers more effectively.”

Friedling’s experience also includes business banking, commercial and residential real estate financing, SBA lending, and floorplan financing, giving him a broad perspective on how businesses access and deploy capital. He attended The College of New Jersey and has completed extensive training in sales, equipment finance, and small business consulting.

A nationwide direct lender, First Business Bank’s Equipment Finance team develops customized equipment financing programs with manufacturers, distributors, and dealers designed to help them retain more customers with a streamlined process that features an easy, online equipment application, quick approvals, and responsive client service.

Heather Johnson

Farmers & Merchants State Bank (F&M) recently welcomed Heather Johnson as its new vice president – branch market manager!

Johnson brings more than 20 years of banking experience and a strong passion for leadership, customer relationships, and community involvement. She will serve an essential role within the bank and will be a great addition to the F&M team.

Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, volunteering with the American Legion and VFW, and spending time with her husband, four children, and eight grandchildren. Welcome to F&M!

Prevail Bank professionals (L to R) Andrew Balthazor, mortgage loan originator; Nick White, commercial lending officer; and Holly Hedrington, VP treasury management officer, presented the check to Sarah Bergmann, Feed My People grant specialist; Brit Heymans, development director; and Padraig Gallagher, executive director.

Feed My People received $5,500 from Prevail Bank to purchase a new forklift battery. Feed My People is a distribution warehouse that supports food pantries in 14 Wisconsin counties. The contribution was one of 25 awarded through Prevail Bank’s Charitable Contributions Committee.

This spring, the Committee donated a total of $109,945 to nonprofits that serve low-to-moderate income households, support local economic growth, provide financial education, or enhance the quality of life for underserved populations across the communities Prevail Bank serves.

Pictured (L to R) are Michelle Mangal, Prevail Bank sr. credit analyst; Andy Moran, executive director of the Central WI Symphony Orchestra; Dejonna Lake, Prevail Bank branch manager; Heidi Corcoran, the Orchestra’s operations manager; Dale Sankey, Prevail’s VP commercial lending officer; Christian Stromley, education director of the Central WI Symphony Orchestra; and Abi Mlsna, creative & brand marketing specialist for Prevail Bank.

The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra received $4,000 from Prevail Bank to support arts education and outreach initiatives. One of the Orchestra’s newest initiatives is the Very Young Composers Program, where fourth and fifth graders create original musical compositions under the guidance of experienced music teachers and mentorship from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point music students.

The contribution was one of 25 awarded through Prevail Bank’s Charitable Contributions Committee. This spring, the Committee donated a total of $109,945 to nonprofits that serve low-to-moderate income households, support local economic growth, provide financial education, or enhance the quality of life for underserved populations across the communities Prevail Bank serves.

WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels presented former Paper City Savings Bank President and CEO Fred Siemers with a 36-year Lifetime Service Award on May 28.

Paper City Savings Bank recently honored former President and CEO Fred Siemers with a 36-year lifetime service award. WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels was pleased to be on site to personally present Siemers with the award.