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2023 WBA Bank Executives Conference

February 8–10, 2023 | Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells

Bank Executives Conference Banner

By Hannah Flanders

The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is excited to announce that the annual Bank Executives Conference will reconvene at the Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells this February 8–10. As the largest gathering of bank leaders in the state, this year’s event will focus on bringing leaders “All In” for the benefit of their bank, community members, and industry.

Executive-Level Education

Each year, WBA’s Bank Executives Conference is regarded as the state’s premier gathering of banking professionals and national experts — the 2023 event
will be no different!

In combining programming tailored to the specific needs of banking leaders in Wisconsin with various trending topics sure to impact our industry, bankers will have the opportunity to arm themselves with the resources and knowledge to remain relevant and resilient for years to come.

Heyburn_Virginia

Virginia Heyburn

This year’s opening general session on February 9 will feature Virginia Heyburn, director of research, insights, and advocacy at Engage fi, LLC. As innovation and technology remain at the forefront of our industry’s efforts to engage individuals in the financial services, Heyburn will highlight the possibilities of FinTech partnerships as banks look to develop new revenue channels and reach customers in today’s world of rapidly changing competition.

After the general session, WBA will host its first FinTech Showcase. Bankers can expect to see eight FinTech products, ranging from solutions for digital banking and artificial intelligence (AI) to security, demonstrated live by various companies including Accrue, La Macchia Group, DocFox Inc., Kapitalwise, Inc., KlariVis, LemonadeLXP, Sequertek, and Zogo Finance. Following short presentations, bankers will have the opportunity to connect with these exhibitors, and more than 60 others, to learn more about their solutions and how FinTech will bring the bank into the future.

Brett King

Brett King

On Friday, February 10, four-time bestselling author and renowned futurist, Brett King will present the keynote session “The Big Shift: How Customer Behavior & Technology Will Change the Future of Retail Financial Service.” King, voted as American Banker’s Innovator of the Year in 2012 and a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, will highlight why customer behavior is so rapidly changing and why banks must reinvent themselves or face irrelevancy.

With over ten hours of general and breakout sessions spread across the three days — there will certainly be something of interest for every bank leader. For more details on programming and to view the full agenda, please visit wisbank.com/bec.

Networking

Attendees will also have various opportunities to connect with their banking peers, WBA Associate Members, and WBA staff throughout the conference.

In addition to kicking off the conference on Wednesday evening with a networking reception in the exhibitor Marketplace, bankers are invited to arrive early on February 8 for various “banker-only” peer group discussions. The optional peer groups, beginning at 2:30 p.m., are specifically targeted at CEOs, CFOs, credit and lending professionals, and those in operations.

Recognition

WBA looks forward to recognizing various bankers who have been “All In” for their communities and for their industry — despite the unpredictability of the last several years.
In selecting the unifying theme “All In” for this year’s conference, the Association recognizes that the unity and commitment leaders and bankers across the state have, and will continue to, demonstrate are critical to the prosperity of the industry and communities all WBA-member banks serve. In this, it is important that bankers not only reflect upon their successes of the past year but look ahead to what possibilities are in store.

The conference will feature a special luncheon on February 9 during which several bankers who have dedicated a lifetime of service to the industry will be inducted into WBA’s 50- and 60-Year Clubs. In addition, the Wisconsin Banker Foundation (WBF), the Association’s non-profit arm, will present its prestigious Financial Education Innovation Award to a WBA-member bank that, during the 2021–2022 fiscal year, demonstrated unique efforts to enhance the financial capability of consumers in their community.

That evening, WBA will recognize a bank CEO or president (or an individual who has recently retired from these positions) who has made an outstanding effort throughout their career in service to their bank, to their community, and to the banking profession as the 2022 Banker of the Year.

Registration

Banking leaders regularly prove their commitment to our industry by way of their active involvement, efforts to embrace evolution, and often tenure of service. WBA’s Bank Executive Conference builds upon these important steps by providing bankers with resources, connections, and ideas for action.

Registration for WBA’s annual conference is open now! Please visit wisbank.com/bec to learn more and register today. We look forward to seeing you Wednesday, February 8–Friday, February 10 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells!

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Executive Letter: Reflecting on WBA’s 130th Year

Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

In March, WBA marked its 130th anniversary — a monumental accomplishment and result of the indispensable support of and engagement in our Association every day. As another busy holiday season quickly approaches and many of us pause to reflect upon all we are grateful for, I am continually reminded not only of the gratitude I hold for our membership and their active involvement in making our industry healthy and prosperous, but of the WBA staff who work each day to uphold our mission to advocate, educate, and support bankers across Wisconsin.

Since inception, advocacy and professional development have remained fundamental values of WBA, and I am pleased each day to work alongside individuals who take extensive pride in promoting Wisconsin’s banking industry and the financial success of communities across the state.

This year, the WBA Government Relations team, alongside several banker volunteers, stayed busy advocating at the state capitol in Madison as well as in D.C on topics ranging from the expansion of credit union powers to credit card swipe fees. In addition, our team was incredibly active in this year’s election, supporting pro-banking candidates, and informing others of the key issues Wisconsin bankers face.

In addition to staffing the legal call program and assisting members with questions, WBA’s Legal team has played a critical role in keeping our members informed of regulatory and judicial issues important to the banking industry. In the last calendar year, the Legal team has created a variety of new resources including a video series and toolkits that provide bankers with a variety of mediums to receive timely compliance information.

As always, members of our Education department have spent the last year offering a wide range of relevant and high-quality conferences, events, and training opportunities at WBA’s engagement center in Madison and around the state. Our flexible offerings have provided thousands of bankers with invaluable knowledge to further their banking careers as well as opportunities to connect with banking peers. Additionally, WBA continued to offer free DEI-focused member webinars and develop resources including a membership-wide employee resource group (ERG) as part of the Association’s DEI Plan to foster a culture of diversity.

In the last year, the Communications team has continued to improve, update, and polish our new website that launched in October 2021. It is a priority of our Association that resources such as our Best Practice Library and Associate Member Directory are not only easy to navigate but provide relevant and useful information to all bankers. At the request of our members, the team has also developed a range of consumer resources which banks are encouraged to utilize in their own outreach and education of consumers.

Of course, the success of our Association does not stop at the efforts of our team. As a member-driven association, WBA is wholly dependent on the support and engagement of our members and our accomplishments this calendar year would not be without the direct involvement of you!

In the last year, banks across the state have individually demonstrated many achievements. However, I am quite proud that many bankers, in addition to the work they do in their own organization, have volunteered their time and talents in several key ways with WBA. This year, over 100 bankers attended WBA’s annual Capitol Day, around 140 bankers participated in a WBA committee or section, and 130 bankers reported taking part in financial education programming.

Once again, thank you for your continued involvement and support of the WBA. This year’s accomplishments would not have been possible without the valuable input and engagement from each of our members. I wish you all Happy Holidays and look forward to working together with you in the new year!

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Executive Letter: Supporting the Professional Development of Our Historically Underrepresented Bankers

Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

As our Association continues its efforts to support bankers of historically underrepresented backgrounds, finding new ways to invest in the personal and professional development of every one of our employees is top of mind.

WBA’s employee resource group (ERG), which launched in June, continues to provide a safe space for our colleagues of color and individuals of underrepresented backgrounds to engage in employee-led conversations once a month related to their identity or feelings, ideas, and developments in the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) space.

The next meeting will be held Thursday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m. The conversation will include the topic of professionalism and an open discussion with staff from Peoples State Bank, Wausau regarding their involvement with the local Hmong community. Bank leaders, managers, and HR professionals are encouraged to forward this opportunity on to bankers who may benefit from this inclusive forum.

Additionally, in conjunction with WBA’s DEI Plan to provide professional development opportunities and foster a welcoming, inclusive culture, I am excited to announce that WBA will be offering three educational scholarships to select WBA events this fall.

These scholarships, offered in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, will be presented to bankers of historically underrepresented backgrounds — including, but not limited to, individuals of African American/Black, Asian/Asian American/Desi, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx/Spanish origin; members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and those part of a religious minority. Please share this scholarship opportunity with members of your staff as they look to expand their career within the banking industry.

WBA’s three educational scholarships will cover the registration fee of the selected program along with any overnight accommodation, as needed.

Scholarships are available for:

I encourage bankers to take this chance to invest in their professional development and share these various opportunities with members of their staff. It is ever so important for the prosperity of our banks and the communities in which they serve that individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels are supported in their pursuit of new degrees of leadership and opportunities to expand their career and network.

Apply Now

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Ensuring the Safety and Security of Wisconsin Communities

Dan PetersonBy Daniel J. Peterson

As technology continues to advance faster than ever before, the importance of staying up to date on the latest trends and best practices for the safety of both the bank and its customers is quickly becoming the number one concern for Wisconsin bankers.

As the last several years have shown, a growing number of consumers throughout the state rely on technology and online banking for their day-to-day needs. It is critical that, for continued success and relevance of our industry, bankers are aware of not only how best to serve our customers through offering modern banking amenities, but how to best protect our communities from increasingly more sophisticated — and prevalent — fraudsters.

For this purpose, in addition to ensuring that all Wisconsin banks remain a safe, secure place for finances and sensitive information, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) will once again host a combined Secur-I.T. & BSA/AML Conference. The conference specifically targets BSA/AML, operations, security, and technology banking professionals looking to remain educated on our ever-evolving industry.

This year’s annual conference will be held September 20 and 21 at Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin Dells and features a unique variety of speakers. From local professionals and WBA Associate Members to world-famous cyber security expert and ethical hacker Bryan Seely, WBA’s Secur-I.T. & BSA/AML Conference will assist banking teams in understanding how best to protect against hackers, what trends to watch for in money laundering, and so much more. This is an event you don’t want to miss!

By engaging in conferences such as WBA’s Secur-I.T. & BSA/AML Conference, bank leaders can ensure their staff is gaining the most relevant and up-to-date banking-related information from the most knowledgeable individuals in the industry. Along with over seven hours of presentations focused on the safety and security of our banks and customers, bankers will enjoy networking with professionals from across the state and meeting with exhibitors offering products and services that help community banks further advance their customer service capabilities.

Please visit wisbank.com/Secur-IT to register or for additional details.

Peterson is president and CEO of The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Marinette, and the 2022–2023 WBA Chair.

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Scott and Attendees in classroom
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Congratulations to Deposit Compliance School Attendees

Congratulations to the 19 bankers who recently completed the 2022 Deposit Compliance School held August 22 and 23 at the WBA headquarters in Madison and via livestream! WBA’s Deposit Compliance School is designed to give Wisconsin bankers a strong foundation of the various deposit regulations that affect banks. 

  • Aubrie Bobholz, Horicon Bank  
  • Lu Ann Bowman, Mound City Bank, Platteville  
  • Laura Enders, Bank of Sun Prairie  
  • Carol Green, First Community Bank, Milton  
  • Nicole Havel, Dairy State Bank, Rice Lake  
  • Andy Hayes, Capitol Bank, Madison  
  • Kelsey Herold, First Citizens State Bank-Whitewater, Whitewater  
  • Austin Hines, River Falls State Bank, River Falls  
  • Hailey Klaas, Peoples State Bank, Lancaster  
  • Marty MacEacher, Peoples State Bank, Prairie du Chien  
  • Amanda Markell, Bank of Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie  
  • Brett Miller, Capitol Bank, Madison  
  • Brooke Noboa, First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, Waukesha  
  • Brad Olsen, WoodTrust Bank, Wisconsin Rapids  
  • Hunter Olson, American Bank of Beaver Dam, Beaver Dam  
  • Nicole Ramirez, Woodford State Bank, Monroe  
  • Deanna Van Acker, Johnson Financial Group, Racine  
  • Brian Vogeltanz, Bank of Luxemburg, Luxemburg  
  • Evan Whitehead, Settlers bank, Appleton 

Deposit Compliance School Class Photo

 

This school is geared toward bank retail staff, including head tellers, personal bankers, universal bankers and managers, as well as compliance officers, operations personnel, and bank legal counsel. WBA Director – Legal Scott Birrenkott, FIPCO Compliance & Risk Management Advisor Michelle Haslam, and compliance consultant Laureen Lehnberg served as faculty for this year’s Deposit Compliance School.

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Mid-West Farm Report Podcast: Ag Lending School Tackles Farm Balance Sheet

Farming is both a specialized industry and high risk when it comes to financials. That’s why the Agricultural Lending School is a key educational offering of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. This is a hands-on seminar for members to get a handle on today’s ag markets and farm balance sheets. WBA Director of Education Lori Kalscheuer tells Mid-West Farm Report about enrollment numbers and curriculum for this year’s cohort.

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Development Session: Trust and Team Building

The Society of Bank Executives offers opportunities for professional development

As the deadline to sign up for the Society of Bank Executives pre-launch session quickly approaches on July 30, c-suite bankers and executive team members are reminded to use this opportunity to invest in their own professional development for the benefit of their entire team.

The Society of Bank Executive, officially launching in January 2023, is offering Wisconsin bankers the ability to participate in the Society’s pre-launch session starting this August. Bankers receive a 25% discount for two years when they sign up before July 30, 2022.

The pre-launch session will focus on honing the skills of trust and team building of bank executives from around the country. During the four-month session, bankers will have the opportunity to hear from Doug Faber, consultant at Franklin Covey during a virtual presentation on “the speed of trust” as well as Casey Thompson, principal consultant at The Table Group during a virtual presentation on “trust and the dysfunctions of a team”. All virtual presentations will also be available on demand for 30 days after the live event.

In addition to learning from experts — Wisconsin bankers are also invited to join bank executives from around the country in Sun Valley, Idaho for a two-day networking event. Not only does this event offer bankers the ability to expand their networks outside of their typical markets, bankers will also be able to share tips from their experience and ask questions of their peers.

The pre-launch session will wrap up in November with a virtual refection moderated by Dr. Paul Godfrey, Society of Bank Executive’s academic advisor. In this final meeting, bankers will reflect on the previous meetings and how they will be able to implement their personal strategy to leverage the power of trust.

Learn more about the Society of Bank Executive by visiting www.executives.bank/home.

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Reflecting on Another Incredible Year

Ken Thompson HeadshotBy Kenneth D. Thompson

As my time as WBA Chair comes to a close on May 31, and I prepare to hand the baton over to Daniel Peterson, I wish to reflect upon the remarkable efforts bankers throughout our state have made this year to ensure the success of our industry. Even as we continue to feel the residual impacts of the pandemic, Wisconsin bankers continue to face every challenge in stride and stand as trusted partners in their communities.

 

Advocacy

This year, over 100 bankers from around the state attended WBA’s annual Capitol Day at the State Capitol in Madison. In addition to hearing from Wisconsin political leaders, bankers met with legislators to convey how issues like credit union expansion, banking regulatory modernization, interchange fee legislation, and elder fraud directly impact their local economies and consumers.

Similarly, many bankers have testified on several WBA key issues in the last year. Your grassroot involvement was critical in preventing bills such as those allowing for the expansion of credit unions from moving past either House. Your engagement in testifying, commenting, and supporting WBA’s efforts further unites our industry.

Education

As bankers continue to embrace new post-pandemic realities, WBA staff too is learning and shifting to best meet the needs of WBA members. Between new hybrid approaches to specific conferences and events geared at keeping our bankers informed — thousands of bankers from throughout the state have benefited from WBA’s adaptability in times of uncertainty which has allowed banks across the state to continue to grow and embrace each challenge faced.

These challenges, though difficult, have also been extremely rewarding. Bankers have shown their innovation and flexibility not only for the sake of their team members, but for their communities. This year, over 100 banks participated in WBA’s fifth annual Power of Community Week to engage with members of their communities through various service events. Throughout the year, the efforts bankers make in establishing connections within the communities they serve prove valuable in aiding the financial wellbeing of our neighbors. Additionally, your efforts assist in shaping the public’s opinion of the banking industry — a valuable perspective to hold especially as we approach election season — continue to explore new ways of embracing technology, and evolve as an industry.

I would also like to extend a sincere ‘thank you’ to WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels and her staff — I speak for many of us when I say I am deeply grateful for the work that the association does for the banking community in Wisconsin and beyond.

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Engage in Every Membership Opportunity

Reserve a space in WBA’s Engagement Center today!

The Enterprise Risk Management Peer Group met in person and virtually in the WBA Board Room. This room accommodates 12–20 people.

Since the completion of WBA’s remodel in 2020, hundreds of bankers from around Wisconsin have had the opportunity to experience the new Engagement Center. Featuring two dedicated training rooms, a board room with video conferencing capabilities, and a conference room with a touchscreen smartboard — the Engagement Center offers the space and capabilities for WBA-member bankers to learn and connect.

In addition to providing bankers a space to attend WBA educational courses and training events, these spaces are available for every WBA member bank to reserve.

WBA welcomes every member bank to take advantage of the Engagement Center for the benefit of their teams. From technology-enabled spaces to a beautifully redesigned café, WBA’s modern facility is a resource that banks can use to hold strategic meetings, training presentations, or remote conference calls. The Engagement Center also serves as a quiet spot in the Madison area for those bankers visiting the state’s capital and looking to get work done.

Any WBA-member bank looking for additional locations to hold meetings, meet between branches, or access technology-enabled spaces to train, present, or remotely connect is encouraged to take advantage of WBA’s Engagement Center.

Please contact WBA’s Association Meeting Planner/Engagement Center Manager Jody Roos at jroos@wisbank.com to learn more about what the Engagement Center offers or to reserve a space.

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608-441-1200

4721 S Biltmore Ln.
Madison, WI 53718

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