Posts
By Daryll Lund
As our industry continues to feel economic and regulatory strain, establishing and maintaining banker networks is one significant way in which the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) helps to inspire success throughout the industry for generations to come. Through membership in WBA’s CEOnly/ CFOnly Networks, Wisconsin CEOs and CFOs have the ability to gain relevant insights, best practices, and recommendations by forming connections with their peers from across the state.
The CEOnly/CFOnly Networks, which were founded on the benefits of knowledge and idea sharing, provide access to a confidential Q&A service and registration to three networking events throughout the year. Many members — including WBA’s 2023–2024 Board of Directors Chair Donna Hoppenjan — agree that by fostering a collaborative environment, bankers are better positioned to stay a step ahead of challenges faced both locally and throughout the industry.
For several years, hundreds of Wisconsin bank leaders have found their CEOnly/CFOnly Network membership, and the positive connections formed, to be of unequivocal value both personally and professionally. In just the last year, members shared over 100 questions and answers amongst the two networks.
Bankers looking to renew or begin their membership for the 2024 CEOnly/CFOnly Networks can expect the same excellent value — three annual networking meetings and the continued Q&A service — all for only $300 a year. Banks registering both their CEO and CFO will also receive the discounted price of $500.
As a reminder, WBA’s CEOnly/CFOnly Networks run on a calendar-year basis starting January 1, and with the 2024 calendar year right around the corner, membership renewal is quickly approaching. All CEOs and CFOs serving a Wisconsinchartered bank are encouraged join the exclusive network for the greatest opportunity to stay informed and connected.
Interested in joining the exclusive network or learning more about what the CEOnly and CFOnly programs can offer for your bank? Please visit wisbank.com/ceonly.
Join Wisconsin banking leaders in education and networking opportunities
Banking leaders from throughout Wisconsin will once again reconvene in Wisconsin Dells for a two-day event focused on education and networking. WBA’s Management Conference, beginning on September 13, is a must-attend event for CEOs, CFOs, CCOs, HR leaders, and other members of the bank’s management team.
An optional, pre-conference golf outing is scheduled for September 13 at Rock Golf Club in Wisconsin Dells. Bankers interested in additional opportunities to connect with their banking peers and event sponsors should plan to attend. Following the outing, the event will kick off on Tuesday night with a dinner program recognizing individual bankers who will be receiving WBA’s 30- and 40-year Lifetime Service Awards. Bankers interested in receiving this recognition or honoring an individual who meets the service award criteria should visit wisbank.com/ServiceAwards to complete the nomination form by August 19, 2022 to be included in the program.
On September 14, bankers will have the opportunity to attend two general sessions and two rounds of breakout sessions that include four management-related tracks including credit/lending, human resources, finance, and general bank trends.
In addition to networking among peers, Wisconsin bankers will hear from Sarah Sladek, founder and CEO of XYZ University, LLC during her keynote session on managing and leading during the new era of workplace shift that has recently emerged. While preparing for increasing innovation, shifting values, global connectivity, disruption, and opportunity, Sladek will assist bank leaders and organizers in understanding why they may be struggling to lead a high-functioning team as well as provide insight into how bankers may best be able to usher in a new generation of talent.
To learn more and register for the upcoming event in Wisconsin Dells, visit wisbank.com/management. Questions regarding the conference can be directed to WBA’s Lori Kalscheuer, director – education.
WBA’s Management Conference Returns to Wisconsin Dells in September
Join over 150 banking leaders for WBA’s annual Management Conference September 13 and 14 in Wisconsin Dells. C-suite and HR professionals will enjoy several general sessions, breakout sessions, and opportunities to network among Wisconsin banking peers and over 50 conference sponsors and exhibitors from across the U.S.
The conference, to be held at Glacier Canyon Conference Center, will officially begin on Tuesday night with a dinner program and ceremony recognizing individual bankers who will be receiving WBA’s 30- and 40-year Lifetime Service Awards. Bankers are encouraged to attend this program not only to celebrate these milestone achievements, but for additional opportunities to network with banking peers. Bankers interested in receiving this recognition or honoring an individual who meets the service award criteria should visit wisbank.com/ServiceAwards to complete the nomination form.
Before the dinner program on Tuesday, September 13, bankers looking to make the most of their time out of the office will also enjoy an optional pre-conference golf outing at Wild Rock Golf Club in Wisconsin Dells. Join WBA, your banking peers, and several sponsors at this unofficial kickoff for an additional opportunity to connect with banking leaders from around the state.
This year’s conference will focus on taking banking to the next level. By investing in opportunities to network with other community bankers and dive into topics that will help your bank succeed as a business, leaders are able to reinvest the skills and knowledge learned at the conference into every member of their team.
WBA encourages all bank management teams to take advantage of the four management-related breakout session tracks — including credit/lending, human resources, finance, and general bank trends — for the benefit of every leader, their team, and the continued success of their institution.
To learn more and register for the upcoming event in Wisconsin Dells, visit wisbank.com/management. Questions regarding the conference can be directed to WBA’s Lori Kalscheuer, director – education.
WBA Releases Results of Bank CEO Economic Conditions Survey
In the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s biannual Economic Conditions Survey of Wisconsin bank CEOs, 71% of respondents rated Wisconsin’s current economic health as “excellent” or “good.” This marks a decline from the mid-year 2021 survey, when 91% of survey respondents gave “excellent” or “good” ratings. Nearly all (over 98%) of the Wisconsin bank CEOs who completed the most recent survey predict that the economy will stay the same or weaken in the next six months.
“Wisconsin bank CEOs have a unique vantage point in that they are both financial experts and highly involved individuals in their local communities,” said WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels. “While the economy remains relatively stable, bankers are keeping a close eye on important indicators and stand ready to support their customers through possible economic challenges over the coming months.“
Among the economic bright spots cited by bank CEOs in the survey were strong tourism, construction, manufacturing, and agricultural industries. Survey results indicate that the hiring market and real estate market are cooling down. Top economic concerns reported by bank CEOs were inflation, cost of living/childcare/education, rising interest rates, oil and gas prices, staffing shortages, and the war in Ukraine.
The mid–year 2022 survey was conducted May 24–June 10 with 56 respondents. Sums may not equal 100 percent due to rounding. Below is a breakdown of the survey questions and responses.
Wisconsin Bank CEO Economic Conditions Survey Results
| How would you rate the current health of the Wisconsin economy. . . | Mid-Year 2022 | End-of-Year 2021 | Mid-Year 2021 |
| Excellent | 7% | 6% | 15% |
| Good | 64% | 73% | 76% |
| Fair | 29% | 20% | 10% |
| Poor | 0% | 1% | 0% |
| In the next six months, do you expect the Wisconsin economy to. . . | |||
| Grow | 2% | 21% | 48% |
| Weaken | 63% | 15% | 39% |
| Stay the same | 36% | 64% | 13% |
| Over the next six months, do you expect inflation to. . . | |||
| Rise | 50% | – | – |
| Fall | 22% | – | – |
| Stay about the same | 28% | – | – |
| How likely would you say a recession is in the next six months? | |||
| Very unlikely | 4% | – | – |
| Unlikely | 16% | – | – |
| Neutral | 20% | – | – |
| Likely | 45% | – | – |
| Very likely | 16% | – | – |
| Rate the current demand in the following categories: | |||
| Business Loans | |||
| Excellent | 2% | 9% | 10% |
| Good | 48% | 48% | 30% |
| Fair | 48% | 39% | 52% |
| Poor | 2% | 5% | 8% |
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | |||
| Excellent | 7% | 11% | 13% |
| Good | 52% | 44% | 44% |
| Fair | 36% | 41% | 33% |
| Poor | 5% | 4% | 10% |
| Residential Real Estate Loans | |||
| Excellent | 2% | 25% | 40% |
| Good | 20% | 48% | 48% |
| Fair | 50% | 24% | 12% |
| Poor | 29% | 3% | 0% |
| Agricultural Loans | |||
| Excellent | 2% | 1% | 2% |
| Good | 37% | 22% | 34% |
| Fair | 51% | 58% | 56% |
| Poor | 10% | 18% | 8% |
| Deposit | |||
| Excellent | 5% | – | – |
| Good | 55% | – | – |
| Fair | 38% | – | – |
| Poor | 2% | – | – |
| In the next six months, do you anticipate the demand for the following categories will. . . | |||
| Business Loans | |||
| Grow | 11% | 28% | 43% |
| Weaken | 48% | 14% | 7% |
| Stay the same | 41% | 59% | 51% |
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | |||
| Grow | 13% | 24% | 31% |
| Weaken | 48% | 21% | 8% |
| Stay the same | 39% | 55% | 31% |
| Residential Real Estate Loans | |||
| Grow | 4% | 11% | 14% |
| Weaken | 63% | 56% | 41% |
| Stay the same | 34% | 33% | 46% |
| Agricultural Loans | |||
| Grow | 6% | 15% | 18% |
| Weaken | 31% | 14% | 6% |
| Stay the same | 63% | 71% | 76% |
| Deposit | |||
| Grow | 11% | – | – |
| Weaken | 36% | – | – |
| Stay the same | 53% | – | – |
| In the next six months, are the businesses in your bank’s market area likely to. . . | |||
| Hire employees | 31% | 68% | 82% |
| Maintain current staffing levels | 61% | 33% | 15% |
| Lay off employees | 7% | 0% | 3% |
| In the next six months, is your bank likely to. . . | |||
| Hire employees | 34% | 55% | 48% |
| Maintain current staffing levels | 63% | 43% | 45% |
| Lay off employees | 4% | 3% | 6% |
This year, the Wisconsin Bankers Association will offer the 2022 Bank Directors Summit in two locations: Stevens Point on May 18 and Madison on May 19. The event draws beginning and experienced inside and outside directors, bank CEOs, bank executive officers, and bank general counsel. This year’s Summit will take a look at the nuts and bolts that are essential to the role of bank directors, while preparing leaders for the kinds of unique opportunities and challenges that could potentially lie ahead of them in 2022.
One of the key topics addressed at the Summit will be directors’ responsibilities in the investment portfolio. Speaking on the topic will be Ricky Brillard, senior vice president in the Investment Strategies Group at Vining Sparks Associates. Brillard is a Certified Public Accountant who works with financial institutions on balance sheet strategies, the optimization of investment portfolio returns, and the evaluation of asset/liability exposure, while incorporating the entity’s liquidity needs, risk controls, and capital constraints.
A presentation titled ‘2022 — A Year of What Ifs’ will be given by Marc Gall, vice president and asset/liability strategist at BOK Financial. As bankers have come to expect uncertainty over the last two years, Gall will walk Summit attendees through various scenarios to help prepare for the coming months and into the future. Gall is a returning speaker to the WBA Directors Summit, and his areas of expertise include asset/liability modeling, interpreting output and communicating strategies to key management and boards of directors, understanding and complying with regulatory requirements, and fixed income portfolio management/trade execution.
Other sessions to look forward to include ‘Unlock and Inspire a Team That Spans Four Generations’ by Flynt Gallagher of Newcleus Compensation Advisors as well as ‘A Director’s Role in Today’s Changing Banking Environment.’ To learn more and to register for the Stevens Point or Madison event, please visit www.wisbank.com/directors.
Executive network provides unique benefits for Wisconsin banking leaders
By Daryll Lund
Now is the time to renew or begin your membership in the CEOnly and CFOnly Networks so you can enjoy the services provided. As we continue to feel the impacts of COVID-19, economic, and regulatory strain, the CEOnly/CFOnly Networks are an important resource for you to connect with over 100 Wisconsin bank CEOs and CFOs.
These membership benefits allow peers to share information at in-person meetings and through a Q&A service, which provides a confidential forum for asking questions. In the past year, 100+ questions and answers have been shared amongst CEOnly/CFOnly members. We believe that the networking and information-sharing that is foundational to the CEOnly and CFOnly Networks will become even more valuable to you as the banking industry continues to experience unprecedented changes.
You can expect the same excellent value from your membership in 2022! This year, network members are invited to three complimentary networking events:
- March 11 | Stevens Point
- June 10 | Wisconsin Dells
- September 23 | Madison
The annual membership fee is $300 for CEOs or CFOs. If both the CEO and CFO join from the same bank, the cost is $500. Membership is open to CEOs and CFOs of Wisconsin-chartered banks and runs on a calendar year basis, starting January 1, 2022, so now is the time to join!
