On November 13, WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels presented Joyce Ditter, vice president – cashier at State Bank of Chilton, with the Association’s Lifetime Service Award recognizing her 46 years of service to the banking industry. At the end of the Ditter will retire from State Bank of Chilton.
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Bank First is pleased to announce Traci Argall has recently joined the bank as assistant vice president – project management, bringing an impressive background in project oversight, end-user training, and workflow modifications.
“We are thrilled to welcome Traci to Bank First,” stated Matt Longmeyer, VP – director of technology. “Her experience and talent for driving successful project outcomes make her a valuable addition to our team, and we are excited to have her on board to help fuel the bank’s growth and success.”
Argall has an impressive 28-year career with Acuity Insurance, highlighted by diverse roles and extensive experience as a project lead on numerous corporate projects aimed at securing a competitive edge through enhanced service and technology applications. In her new role at Bank First, Argall will work closely with senior leadership to develop project plans that align with the bank’s strategic goals, ensuring on-time and on-budget project delivery. She will collaborate closely with the bank’s various departments to streamline project management processes while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
Argall is a proud alumnus of UW–Milwaukee where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. In her free time, she enjoys visiting her two children as well as going on hiking adventures with her husband and their dog.
On Tuesday, November 7, Doreen Kuse, assistant cashier at Partners Bank in Marshfield, was recognized by WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels with the Association’s 50-Year Club award.
North Shore Bank has announced that more than a dozen of its branches in southeast Wisconsin will host a toy drive for local organizations in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. The public is invited to make donations at participating locations.
“We are thrilled to ring in the holiday season by supporting local organizations who are dedicated to uplifting children and families throughout our communities,” said Sue Doyle, senior vice president of retail banking at North Shore Bank. “We encourage everyone to stop by one of the participating branches and donate new toys for children and families in need this holiday season.”
The following branches are drop-off points for the donation drive:
In Waukesha County for Christmas Clearing Council (Through Dec. 13)
- Brookfield Square: 15700 W. Bluemound Road
- Brookfield Capitol: 15830 W. Capitol Drive
- Muskego: S74 WI7095 Janesville Road
- New Berlin: 15505 W. National Avenue
In Racine County for Toys for Tots (Through Dec.13)
- Burlington: 116 S. Pine Street
- Racine-Westgate: 4923 Washington Ave
- Racine-Northside: 3911 N. Main Street
- Union Grove: 1101 Main Street
In Kenosha County for Toys for Tots (Through Dec. 13)
- Cudahy: 3233 E. Layton Avenue
- Kenosha Main: 5117 Green Bay Road
- Kenosha South: 3315 80th Street
- Kenosha Central: 6906 Green Bay Road
In Germantown for St. John’s UCC for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child (Through Nov. 20)
- Germantown: N112 W15780 Mequon Road
Community members are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys, books and other gifts for children ages birth to 11 years old. At this time, the most needed items are winter clothing, books, riding toys for toddlers, sleeping bags and blankets.
Bank of Sun Prairie welcomes Bridget Travnick Oberfoell, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, as the new senior vice president – director of human resources and training and member of the leadership team.
Travnick Oberfoell has worked in human resources for more than 23 years most recently as deputy director of human resources with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and prior with Shared Medical Services and The QTI Group among other companies in Madison and Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management from Cardinal Stritch University. Travnick Oberfoell is active in the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and in causes focused on animal welfare and rescue, child advocacy, environmental protections, and arts and culture.
“We are excited Bridget has joined our team. She brings the perfect blend of human resources leadership, a strong benefits background and passion for training and development.” shared Jimmy Kauffman, Bank of Sun Prairie’s president and CEO. “She will help drive Bank of Sun Prairie as a leading financial services institution serving Dane County and beyond.”
Prevail Bank recently gifted $109,250 through its semiannual Charitable Contributions program. Non-profits that help local low-to-moderate income households; those that stimulate communities financially, provide financial literacy, and/or enhance the standard of living of those less fortunate were encouraged to apply.
Twenty-seven (27) organizations received funding. They were: Plover Whiting Youth Athletics (Plover), Price County Fairgrounds historic barn renovation project (Phillips), St Vincent De Paul (Phillips), Good News Project (Wausau), HAVEN, Inc. (Merrill), United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, Logger’s United Booster Club (Phillips), United Way of South Wood & Adams County (Wisconsin Rapids), Wood County Health Department (Wisconsin Rapids), Baraboo Homeless Shelter, Santas Elves Foundation (Fifield), Junior Achievement of Wisconsin NCD (Wausau), Holway Sluggers Ball Club (Owen), Price Area Trail Hub, Inc (Phillips / Worcester), Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area, Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley, Marshfield Area United Way, Prentice High School Athletics, Wausau Metro Adult Special Olympics, The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire, Huey’s Hideaway Children’s Museum (Medford), Elk Lake Park (Phillips), Children’s House Montessori School (Eau Claire), PATCH Wausau, Elliot’s Little Library (Stevens Point), Samoset Council Boy Scouts of America (Wausau), and Farming for the Future Foundation (Plover).
For information regarding the amounts gifted and what the funding supported, go to Prevail.Bank/News-Stories.
Gerald “Jerry” Jacobson, president of Northwestern Bank, has been re-elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ board of directors for a second term beginning January 1, 2024. He will serve a full three-year term.
“It is an honor to be re-elected to the board and represent member banks from our district,” shared Jacobson. “I look forward to another term and the challenges and opportunities it will bring for our region.”
The responsibilities of directors are broad, ranging from overseeing the general operations of the Minneapolis Fed to reporting on district economic conditions.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up the Federal Reserve System, the nation’s central bank. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is responsible for the Ninth Federal Reserve District, which includes Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis participates in setting national monetary policy, supervises numerous banking organizations, and provides a variety of payments services to financial institutions and the U.S. government.
In October, Glenn Marass of the Bank of Brodhead was recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award for his 45th year in the industry. Marass embarked on his banking career straight out of college in 1978, assuming the role of a farm loan officer with Farmers and Merchants Bank of Orfordville. In the following decade, he transitioned to the Bank of Juda (now the Bank of New Glarus). Finally, in November 2013, he joined the Bank of Brodhead team, where he presently serves as vice president of ag lending.
Horicon Bank gained three branches when Cornerstone Community Bank “migrated” over on September 18, 2023. Initially announced on July 7, 2022, the merger with Cornerstone Community Bank now extends the Horicon Bank footprint to Grafton, Menomonee Falls, and Slinger. The new locations join Horicon Bank’s recently established new Milwaukee area branches in New Berlin and at the Mayfair Collection in Wauwatosa.
Frederick F. Schwertfeger, Horicon Bank CEO says “the merger unites Horicon Bank with a well-established, family-owned community bank which was known for its high-quality customer service, great portfolio of products and strong commitment to its communities.”
“The process is complete, and we have consolidated our respective strengths in one entity under the Horicon Bank brand,” said Schwertfeger. “We look forward to working together for the good of the new areas we serve.”
The combined organization will keep Horicon Bank’s “The Natural Choice” tagline, and it will be a $1.5 billion bank with two dozen branches in 18 Wisconsin communities.
WaterStone Bank is proud to announce that Marlene Molter, senior vice president – human resources, has been named an Inclusive Influencer by the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee. The endorsement recognizes individuals dedicated to fostering inclusivity, advocating for those whose voices are often overlooked, and celebrating the uniqueness of all individuals.
Molter, a dedicated leader at WaterStone Bank, exemplifies the values of inclusivity, collaboration, and advocacy. Her commitment to promoting policies that encourage the hiring, recruitment, and training of underrepresented groups creates an environment that has been pivotal in shaping the culture at WaterStone. In addition, her work to establish and maintain mentoring programs for workforce development and local high school students ensures equal opportunities for all groups to advance in their careers, benefitting the greater Milwaukee community as a whole.
“The honor is a testament to Marlene’s contribution to our community and her commitment to making a difference,” says Julie Glynn, executive vice president and chief retail officer at WaterStone Bank. “Marlene’s effort to ensure that every individual’s voice is heard and valued inspires others to follow suit. This recognition is well deserved, and we congratulate her.”