Tag Archive for: Education

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Executive Letter: Inspiring a Generation of Future Bankers

By Rose Oswald Poels

For many of us, the beginning of autumn marks back to school. While hundreds of bankers across the state prepare for new professional development opportunities, many of our future colleagues and leaders are as well.

As bankers are well aware, a shrinking talent pool threatens the long-term viability and competitiveness of our industry. Led by Chair Donna Hoppenjan, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is encouraging the membership to consider the ways in which we each can engage — or “inspire” — the next generation to consider a career in banking. It is vital that bankers today are proactive in ensuring our industry’s future success by connecting with students and demonstrating the opportunities available to them.

With talent recruitment at the top of mind for many banks, the Association will once again be hosting several “career night” presentations in the coming months. With the goal of closing the gap between students and banking professionals, these upcoming events are open to students interested in learning more about the industry, what careers are available to them, and why the banking industry might be a good fit for them. Starting this fall, and throughout the academic school year, career nights will take place at Marquette University, UW–Eau Claire, UW–Green Bay, UW–La Crosse, UW–Madison, and UW–Whitewater, with the possibility of more locations being added.

If you, or someone from your bank, are interested in partnering with the Association to serve as a panelist at one of these upcoming events, please contact our team.

In addition to directly connecting with students during a career fair or panel presentation, bankers are also encouraged to share opportunities to further students’ experiences and engagement with the banking industry. Internships are a great example of this, and WBA members may post internship job ads at no cost in our Banker’s Marketplace.

Additionally, sharing the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation’s (WBF) fourth annual Agricultural Banking Scholarship opportunity widely among your networks is an easy way to invest in the students who are interested in a banking career and driving our agricultural sector. The application period is open through November 15, 2023, for students currently enrolled at an accredited Wisconsin college, university, or technical college who are pursuing a career related to agribusiness. Two scholarships of $1,500 each are available.

Like our members, WBA is dedicated to ensuring a bright future for the industry. With your help, we can demonstrate the diverse and rewarding career paths available within the banking sector, foster relationships with students eager to explore these opportunities, and provide the necessary support for them to thrive in our industry.

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Chair’s Column: Advance Our Industry by Investing in Your People

Donna Hoppenjan

By Donna Hoppenjan

One of the Association’s primary goals for the year ahead is to continue shaping a solid future for the banking industry. As our members are well aware, the industry has evolved a great deal in the last several years. In order to remain receptive to the development that is yet to come, it is vital that our current bank leaders prioritize their investment into the future success of the industry.

Through the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA), over 30,000 bankers across Wisconsin gain access to ongoing educational opportunities. These various schools, workshops, and conferences are designed specifically to aid bankers across the state in gaining leadership skills, expanding their expertise, and serving as advocates on behalf the industry they represent.

As we invest in our emerging leaders and bankers of the future, it is important to provide relevant, high-quality resources and connections. BOLT (Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow) and WBA Connect are just two of the programs WBA offers that combine personal and professional development opportunities with numerous chances to build networks, ask questions, and share ideas. Annually, hundreds of bankers benefit from cultivating relationships with their peers and becoming involved with the Association.

Additionally, bankers may choose to utilize WBA’s Legal Call Program to connect with seasoned attorneys that understand the industry, review best practices created by bankers in Wisconsin, or stay abreast of the latest industry news by subscribing to the Wisconsin Banker Daily e-newsletter or the Wisconsin Banker bimonthly publication.

Beyond developing our current teams, focusing on the future workforce is a priority for many. In order to drive our industry forward, it is critical that bankers commit themselves to promoting banking as a career. Taking part in volunteer work, hosting financial literacy presentations, and connecting with students are just a few meaningful and inspirational actions our membership can highlight when talking about the many rewarding aspects of a banking career. WBA provides resources to help members interact with future bankers including consumer-focused resources, financial education tools, and engagement opportunities at colleges across the state.

As your team considers new ways to invest in your employees and attract new talent, I encourage you to utilize the opportunities provided by WBA. No matter how your bank decides to make the most of WBA’s programs, it is gratifying to know that the success of our institutions and team members is the sole mission of the Association.

Hoppenjan is president and CEO of Mound City Bank, Platteville, and the 2023–2024 WBA Chair.

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Executive Letter: New Resources Available to All WBA-Member Bankers

By Rose Oswald Poels

As part of the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) mission to support bankers across the state, our team — often in collaboration with the membership — regularly creates resources to assist WBA-member bankers in expanding their knowledge and expertise. Recently, WBA launched several valuable compliance resources that your staff will find useful in maneuvering the ever-changing banking compliance landscape. Our objective with these services is to continue to make training accessible and more flexible for all WBA members at a reasonable cost.

I am excited to announce our new WBA Legal In-House Compliance Training resource. Member banks are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to bring compliance training by the WBA Legal team directly to your bank. The training may be conducted in-person or as a virtual meeting and will be customized to your bank’s needs. All training will be conducted by WBA Legal; the presenter selected is dependent on the topic and timing of the training.

Additionally, I am excited to share that the new WBA Account Titling Video Series is now available. This series is designed for your bank to use as a new employee onboarding tool or a refresher for frontline retail staff. The series is built upon WBA’s longstanding and popular, comprehensive account titling workshop and is meant to help frontline staff develop an awareness of the laws related to account titling, analyze a variety of deposit account ownerships and fiduciary roles of deposit account relationships, recognize the legal and practical importance of an account title, and identify various documents which make up a deposit contract and understand their significances.

The new series provides information about account titling in short, topic-specific videos. Each video is supported by written materials. When utilizing the videos as training, there are also exercises to illustrate concepts shared within the videos. Managers are encouraged to supplement the information in the series with bank-specific policies, procedures, and operational requirements, so frontline staff know of any additional actions bank management expects frontline staff to execute.

The new resource consists of 11 modules, covering 60 topics with over five hours of video material! Each video ranges between two and 10 minutes in length — making training very flexible. Also included are manager/trainer resources such as a viewing sequence listing, tracking resource, examples, and test questions with an answer key.

As our legal team has provided for decades, new materials and resources are routinely added to the WBA Compliance page on the WBA website, so I encourage your compliance team to monitor this site and our e-publications for updates. The newest release is a Lender’s Guide to the Marital Property Act. The guide answers frequently asked questions lenders have regarding the Act and is just one of several other available guides for members. Other such resources include a Banker’s Guide to LLCs and a Transfer by Affidavit Guide.

Finally, many other resources created by bankers serving on various WBA Sections and Committees may be found in the WBA Best Practices Library on our website. The Best Practices Library is password protected. If you do not have the password, please reach out to WBA Legal.

WBA strives to provide comprehensive compliance resources for its members. If you have requests for new content or other materials, please let me know and we will incorporate all feedback into our new product development process.

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Chair’s Column: Be the Inspiration for the Future of Our Industry

By Donna J. Hoppenjan

Throughout my 46 years in banking, one thing has remained absolutely certain — the dedication of bankers in Wisconsin. For over 130 years, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) has stood as the pillar for banking throughout the state. From educational and advocacy opportunities to resources for members to utilize, our Association remains top tier in its ability to provide bankers in Wisconsin with a wide variety of ways in which they can get involved and make a difference in their bank and throughout their community.

As I begin my term as chair of WBA’s Board of Directors — representing over 30,000 bankers throughout Wisconsin — I look forward to continuing the Association’s longstanding tradition of inspiring success within our industry and encouraging every member to consider their role in shaping the future.

The inspiration to expand your skillset, grow your connections, and engage with your community is around every corner. In partnership with WBA, member banks have the ability to take advantage of educational programs designed to assist all bank employees in their pursuit of knowledge and expertise. Our Association hosts a variety of in-person and virtual courses that are not only relevant to bankers in our state, but also facilitate connections with their peers.

At its core, the Association is rooted in engagement. Without the participation of over 150 volunteer Advocacy Officers, committee participants, and advisory board members, WBA would be nowhere near as relevant or impactful as it is today. However, just as the WBA membership plays a role in shaping our Association, each of us has the responsibility to prepare our next generation of banking leaders and shape the perception of our industry.

Through WBA, bankers can participate in events or any combination of peer groups, networks, and committees to enhance their leadership skills and be inspired by the efforts of their peers. WBA also spearheads initiatives such as Power of Community Week, Teach Children to Save Day, Capitol Day, and career nights at various schools that encourage bankers to step out of the office and into their communities. The events offer members opportunities to establish and foster relationships with students, business owners, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and so many others.

This year, as your team considers the multitude of ways in which you can inspire your fellow bankers, encourage the next generation, and influence growth throughout the industry, I remind you to look to your Association and stand united. Together, we can continue to support the long-term growth of the banking industry and elevate our Association for years to come.

Hoppenjan is president and CEO of Mound City Bank, Platteville, and the 2023–2024 WBA Chair.

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Staying Ahead of Technology and Security

WBA will host its annual Secur-I.T. Conference September 12–13

In September, over 125 operations, risk management, security, and technology banking professionals from across the state will come together for the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) annual Secur-I.T. Conference.

The event, which will feature over seven hours of presentations and several exhibitors, will provide attendees with the opportunity to explore new products and services and to enhance their expertise in areas related to the bank’s customer experiences, security, and technology.

This year’s annual conference will include four general sessions; three rounds of breakout sessions in the areas of operations, security, and technology; as well as three rounds of workshops hosted by vendors.

Emphasized throughout the event is artificial intelligence’s (AI) growing impact on the banking industry. As programs such as ChatGPT become increasingly prevalent in our day-to-day lives, speaker Brett Gilsinger of IT Resource will explore the latest advancements, provide insights on the opportunities and challenges connected to these programs, and equip bankers with the knowledge and resources necessary to safeguard their organization.

Closing out the two-day event will be speaker Jim Olson. Author, senior lecturer, and former chief of Soviet operations at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Olson will draw upon his 31 years of operational experience in Russia to explore the current threats of the conflict in Ukraine and share with attendees his knowledge on protecting intelligence and managing risks presented beyond the institution.

To register your team for this must-attend event, visit wisbank.com/Secur-IT. The conference, which will be held at Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin Dells on September 12–13, is the perfect opportunity for beginning and experienced bankers to connect with their peers, discuss ongoing trends, and evolve in their roles as technology and security professionals.

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Executive Letter: Inspiring Our Future

Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) began its 2023–2024 fiscal year. A ceremony, held on June 7, formally installed Mound City Bank President and CEO Donna Hoppenjan as WBA’s chair of the Board, welcomed several new Board officers, and thanked those members who ended their term in 2023 for their valuable contributions to the Association.

Donna was able to sit down with me for a short conversation to introduce herself to the membership and highlight the goals she has for the organization for the upcoming year.

Donna first started her career in banking in 1977 as a teller at Mound City Bank in Platteville. After gaining experience in several areas of the bank — including human resources, audit, and trust — she was promoted to her current role as president and CEO in 2013.

As chair of the WBA Board of Directors, Donna encourages members to be an inspiration to their peers, to their community members, and on behalf of the banking industry in the upcoming fiscal year. As members continue to invest in the future of our industry, bankers throughout the state are encouraged to utilize WBA programs, resources, and events to not only gain expertise themselves, but also to inspire others in their organizations to do the same.

Through the Association’s various education opportunities — including in-person schools, conferences, and summits — bankers can develop their skills and network with their banking peers. WBA also offers a host of peer groups to connect with others, share ideas, and help one another grow in their careers; volunteer opportunities that inform WBA staff and elected officials; and resources — such as the Best Practices Library — that are created by bankers, for bankers.

Not only does the Association provide opportunities for bank leaders to encourage growth within their organization and train the next generation of banking leaders, programming presented by the WBA also extends beyond the walls of both member banks and the Association to benefit our entire industry.

Career night presentations and Power of Community Week are just a few examples of the ways in which WBA encourages bankers to be inspirations throughout their local communities. As Donna mentioned in her address to the Board, it is vital for the continued success of our industry that each of us also takes an active role in demonstrating the opportunities provided by a career in banking to students of all ages.

Whether you and your team choose to engage by volunteering as an Advocacy Officer, furthering your knowledge in a WBA Connect peer group, or working alongside students to expand their financial capabilities, our Association is excited to work alongside each of you to inspire our future.

To learn more about WBA Board Chair Donna Hoppenjan and her goals for the upcoming fiscal year, please enjoy watching the video and keep an eye out for a detailed article in WBA’s upcoming July/August Wisconsin Banker.

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Secure Your Membership Now for WBA’s Compliance Forum

Connect with peers, expand your compliance knowledge

As the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) enters the 2023–2024 fiscal year, do not forget to renew or join the membership of the WBA Compliance Forum. Whether you are looking for more opportunities to connect with your compliance peers or would like to gain CLE and other compliance certifications*, WBA’s annual Compliance Forum membership provides various opportunities to expand your network and further develop your understanding of state-specific and national compliance matters.

The registration fee includes attendance of all three forums for two individuals from each bank. Additionally, these two primary members will also gain access to the highly active WBA Compliance Forum Google group. All Wisconsin bank compliance professionals and bank legal counsel are encouraged to attend each of the sessions to gain in-depth information on key compliance issues. Any additional bank staff can be registered by the bank’s primary contacts for an additional fee.

“WBA’s Compliance Forum is the place to get updates on recent trends, hear from experts on emerging topics, and connect with other compliance professionals,” says Scott Birrenkott, WBA director – legal and session speaker. “Each session provides great networking opportunities and the ability to share experiences.”

WBA’s Compliance Forum is WBA’s premier Wisconsin-specific program focused on presenting updates and addressing the latest hot topics in compliance. The first session, to be held on June 20 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Stevens Point, will include discussions on areas such as the Section 1071 final rule and related implementation action plans, as well as how to respond when a vendor gets hacked.

“As a subject matter, banking compliance is unique in that it manages to be simultaneously vast, yet also nuanced. It can be tough to sift through, which is why opportunities to meet, stay abreast of trends, and discuss with peers are so valuable,” adds Birrenkott.

Those interested in joining a passionate group of compliance bankers or renewing their membership for WBA’s 2023–2024 Compliance Forum should visit wisbank.com/2023forum. Questions regarding membership opportunities or upcoming Compliance Forum sessions can be directed to Anna Lorang, WBA education and event coordinator.

*Submission of education program material to the Board of Bar Examiners does not guarantee CLE credit will be granted. Bankers with the CCBCO designation can self-submit this program for credit using the agenda provided at the forum.

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Human Resources and CFO Conferences Return in 2023

Two events dedicated to professional development, networking

Each year, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) offers hundreds of educational opportunities for bankers. From schools and training programs held in the Engagement Center at the WBA headquarters in Madison to conferences across the state, the Association’s mission to provide professional development opportunities and resources to every member bank, regardless of their position, are abundant. As such, the Association is excited to revive two professional conferences in 2023!

As more businesses across Wisconsin struggle with engaging, retaining, and attracting employees, WBA’s Human Resources (HR) Conference will tackle the topics many HR professionals in Wisconsin’s banking industry have at the top of mind.

Last held in 2020, this year’s event will bring together Wisconsin community banking HR professionals on May 4 in Stevens Point. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from several speakers; receive an update related on the everchanging landscape of the workplace and employment law; as well as network with their peers throughout the one-day event.

“With banks across Wisconsin facing more challenges setting themselves apart from other employment options, our Association wants to ensure our WBA members are equipped with the best practices and industry trends, all while having the opportunity to network with their peers,” stated WBA Director – Education Lori Kalscheuer.

This year’s HR Conference speakers include Julia Johnson, Wipfli LLP; Jennifer Mirus, Boardman & Clark LLP; Jackie Rolow, SHAZAM; and Jasmine Brett Stringer, award-winning author and keynote speaker. To learn more about this upcoming conference in May or register, please visit wisbank.com/HRConference.

Register Now

WBA is excited to once again invite bankers to join us on May 17 in Madison for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Conference.

This one-day program, last held in 2018, will assist those bankers who make financial decisions throughout the bank — including, but not limited to, CFOs, CEOs, and controllers — stay up to date on the current and potential future issues affecting the financial health of their institution.

“As the last several years have proven, banks in Wisconsin are prepared to weather whatever economic conditions are thrown their way,” said WBA Director – Education Lori Kalscheuer. “The WBA CFO Conference will provide a day packed with valuable educational presentations from industry thought leaders, helping our members position themselves for a successful future.”

If you or your team are interested in attending the CFO Conference or learning more, please visit wisbank.com/CFO.

Register Now
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Association Update: Engaging with Your Association

WBA offering numerous opportunities to get involved this spring

By Daryll Lund

As the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) quickly approaches the final months of its 2022–2023 fiscal year, I am reminded of the inauguration of Dan Peterson, president and CEO of Marinette’s The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, as our Association’s chair. With an objective to increase membership engagement in the year ahead, it is extremely rewarding to look back upon all our Association has done together since June 2022.

Enhancing member engagement as part of the WBA strategic plan is focused on increasing banker participation in WBA training events including the utilization of the Engagement Center located at the WBA headquarters in Madison, the WBA Legal Call program, WBA fundraising efforts including the Gold Triangle and Bankers Involved in Grassroots and Government (BIGG) awards, as well as utilization of other Association and subsidiary services.

As we approach the final stretch of the 2022–2023 fiscal year, I am certain that bankers will find even more ways to engage with WBA.

This spring, WBA kicks off its busy season with various professional conferences and schools aimed at providing WBA members with the knowledge, resources, and connections to continue their success. Ranging from CFOs to HR and IT professionals and all the way to the frontline staff — our Association prides itself on the breadth of opportunities in store for every member of the bank.

In addition, bankers looking to make a mark on their communities and industry will be out at full strength assisting the
WBA in keeping our elected leaders informed at this spring’s advocacy events — including WBA Capitol Day on April 26 and two upcoming Washington, D.C. trips — as well as participating in activities related to Community Banking Month, Financial Literacy Month, the annual Power of Community Week, and National Teach Children to Save Day.

Of course, new chances to engage are always on the horizon with WBA. Whether you’re looking to volunteer as a committee member or help fundraise to shape public opinion on pro-banking, probusiness issues, it is up to you to choose how you will make the most of your membership, inspire professional development, educate your peers and community members, and engage with the Association!

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Executive Letter: WBA to Host Free Climate Change Conversation with OCC in March

Rose Oswald PoelsAs bankers in Wisconsin can attest, having the knowledge of, and experience managing, the risks their customers may face is a key component of effectively running a bank. For generations, bankers across the state have assisted their customers in managing various types of risk, including climate-related risks. However, as policymakers, investors, and customers grow concerned about the impacts of climate change, several regulators have signaled forthcoming regulatory action.

With new climate-related financial risk management policies expected from both the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), many are weary of how these regulations — which claim to only target the largest of banks in the U.S. — will inevitably impact the functions of all banks in our state.

As Jeff Gruetzmacher of Royal Bank so eloquently stated in his article published in the January/February issue of the Wisconsin Banker, “regulators have made their intentions clear: community banks will not get a pass on the new and expensive regulatory burdens.” As such, it is important to keep the WBA membership informed and demonstrate the impact regulations such as these have on banking operations and consumers throughout the state.

I would like to invite all of you to a complimentary, virtual Executive Briefing with Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu on March 7 from 3–4 p.m. Central Time. This event is open to all WBA members regardless of which primary federal regulator your bank has. OCC Acting Director Hsu will speak for a few minutes; however, he strongly desires this to be an open conversation for most of the hour with bankers actively asking questions and sharing their thoughts on the subject of climate risk for banks.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with such a high-ranking regulatory official, and I encourage you and others from your bank to attend and actively participate. Wisconsin bankers, particularly ag lenders, already have extensive experience managing climate risk related to their banks’ loan portfolios, and it is important to share these real-life examples and experiences directly with regulators in this format. To register for this valuable opportunity, please click here. Please also share this invitation with others from your bank as more than one person from each institution is welcome to join.

Register Now
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