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Tag Archive for: Financial Education

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Community, Member News, News

Executive Letter: Celebrating the Power of Community and the Impact of Wisconsin’s Bankers

From the Desk of Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

April is always an action-packed month. I am proud to reflect on the conclusion of another successful Community Banking Month, Financial Literacy Month, WBA Power of Community Week, and Teach Children to Save Day. Each year, these initiatives remind me just how deeply rooted our member banks are in the communities they serve—not only as financial institutions but as active participants in making Wisconsin stronger.

During Power of Community week, WBA staff also rolled up their sleeves and volunteered at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Habitat ReStore of Dane County, contributing to projects that help preserve our environment and support affordable housing. In addition, our team organized a bake sale, raising over $300 for Second Harvest Foodbank, and collected much-needed items for The Road Home to assist families experiencing housing insecurity. With additional money from WBA, donations totaling $500 were made to The Road Home and Second Harvest Foodbank. These efforts reflect the same generous spirit of service we see across the state from member banks and their employees.

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While I take this opportunity to celebrate WBA staff contributions and volunteerism, I also want to extend my thanks and congratulations to all the banks across Wisconsin that participated in Power of Community Week — and to those that give back year-round. Whether it’s through supporting local nonprofits, hosting community events, or offering your expertise to help customers thrive, your commitment makes a tangible difference.

Always a popular and impactful initiative is Teach Children to Save Day, which saw increased engagement from bankers this year as they helped students develop lifelong financial skills. A record number of banks requested WBA’s Reading Raises Interest kits in 2025. This year’s featured book, “Rock, Brock and the Savings Shock,” was a hit with elementary students statewide and served as a fun and engaging way to introduce savings concepts at an early age.

As we look ahead, I encourage every bank that participates in financial education initiatives to complete the Financial Education Summary Forms available through the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF). In order to capture and celebrate the many ways bankers volunteer their time and expertise to foster financial literacy, the Foundation collects this information annually. These summaries help guide the work of both WBA and WBF staff, and importantly, they are shared with elected officials and community members to highlight the collective contributions of our industry. If your bank employees hosted a financial education presentation (between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025) encourage them to submit the forms by July 31.

By reporting your efforts, you help ensure that the value of financial education — and the essential role that bankers play in delivering it — is widely recognized and supported. Additionally, individual employees and your bank may be eligible for the Financial Education Awards from the Foundation.

Thank you again for your partnership and your commitment to powering communities throughout our state.

May 8, 2025/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Executive-Letter-Thumbnail.png 720 1280 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2025-05-08 07:30:522025-05-08 07:30:52Executive Letter: Celebrating the Power of Community and the Impact of Wisconsin’s Bankers
Community, Education, Member News, News

Prevail Bank Teaches Children Valuable Saving Skills

Bankers teach children valuable saving skills by reading together

David Johns, Prevail Bank Chief Retail Officer, reading to a 2nd grade classroom at Sam Davey Elementary School in Eau Claire.

During the month of April – National Financial Literacy Month – seven Prevail Bank professionals volunteered and taught, in collaboration with the classroom teachers, approximately 234 kids the value of saving. They facilitated money-related activities and read a book entitled, “Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock” by Sheila Barr.

Kim Aguilar, Prevail Bank’s SVP – Loan Operations, reading to 3rd graders at Altoona Elementary School.

In the story Rock and Brock are very different twins. Their grandpa offered them each one dollar every Saturday during the summer. For every dollar they saved, Gramps matched it. Rock was excited and spent his money, while Brock kept his money and watched it grow. The book’s lesson served as a launching point for broader discussions about the importance of setting money aside at an early age.

Participating in National Teach Children to Save Day reflects Prevail Bank’s commitment to improving financial literacy in the communities it serves.

April 28, 2025/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Lime-Green.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2025-04-28 08:17:012025-04-28 08:17:01Prevail Bank Teaches Children Valuable Saving Skills
Community, Education, Resources

Executive Letter: Strengthening Financial Literacy in Our Communities

From the Desk of Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

For banks, promoting financial literacy has always been a focus and a year-round responsibility. Every April, during Financial Literacy Month, these efforts take center stage as our industry highlights its role in supporting the financial well-being of individuals and businesses in our communities.

Promoting financial literacy and capability to the public is the mission of the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF), and WBF proudly partners with banks statewide to expand financial education to people of all ages and increase consumer empowerment in the financial services industry. WBF’s annual scholarships for Wisconsin students and the valuable research on Banconomics.com are just a few of WBF’s impactful programs.

To underscore WBF’s commitment to education and equipping individuals with the knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions, a curated collection of digital financial education resources are available on the WBF website for bankers to leverage in their efforts to assist customers and community members. These digital resources are available for use not only in April, but year-round.

Another key financial education resource, produced as a collaboration by WBF and WBA, is the extensive library of downloadable consumer content PDFs with engaging infographics and timely tips. Member banks are encouraged to share this content with customers on topics ranging from smart shopping ideas to avoiding mail-related check fraud.

WBF also provides banks with complimentary Reading Raises Interest Kits, which include a book along with supporting documents and a reference to additional resources available online to use as part of Teach Children to Save Day (April 24). This year’s book, “Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock” written by former FDIC Chair Sheila Barr, is geared toward elementary school classrooms.

Both ABA and ICBA also offer online resources to support your bank’s financial literacy efforts.

As your team engages in financial literacy initiatives—whether through classroom visits, community outreach, or participation in WBA’s Power of Community Week (April 21–26)—I encourage you to document these efforts by completing the 2024–2025 Financial Education Summary Forms (due May 31, 2025). While many bankers contribute their time and expertise without seeking recognition, compiling this information helps WBA and WBF advocate on behalf of the industry, demonstrating to policymakers and the public the essential role banks play in financial education.

April 3, 2025/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Executive-Letter-Thumbnail.png 720 1280 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2025-04-03 07:44:202025-04-03 07:44:20Executive Letter: Strengthening Financial Literacy in Our Communities
Community, Education, Member News, News

Bank of Sun Prairie Named 2024 WBF Financial Education Innovation Award Winner

Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Recognizes Initiative of Bank of Sun Prairie and St. Vincent de Paul 

Jimmy Kauffman, Bank of Sun Prairie president and CEO (holding award); and colleagues accept the 2024 Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Financial Education Innovation Award from Rose Oswald Poels, Wisconsin Bankers Association president and CEO and WBF chair and treasurer; and Alvaro Araque, WBA chair.

The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) is pleased to announce that Bank of Sun Prairie has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Financial Education Innovation Award. The award was presented on February 6, 2025, at the largest banking industry event in the state, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Bank Executives Conference, in Milwaukee.

“It is important to raise awareness that when unexpected expenses hit, banks offer much better alternatives to high-interest payday loans,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBF chair and WBA president and CEO. “Bank of Sun Prairie’s partnership with St. Vincent de Paul is an outstanding program that connects people who are experiencing financial hardship with resources to get them back on solid financial footing.”

Bank of Sun Prairie has created a unique partnership with St. Vincent de Paul in Madison to provide microloans of around $500–$2,500. The program not only helps borrowers avoid costly payday or title loans, it also comes with financial literacy support. Participants are coached each month to help them find ways to make the minimum payment. One recipient, Terri, was able to pay off her car title loan and secure a low-interest loan with the bank. Terri’s monthly payment dropped from $437/month at 305% interest to $74/month at 5% interest, and she could afford to stay in her new apartment rather than become unhoused. The program also connects people with the bank’s Fresh Start Checking Accounts, which can help those who have had challenges with using and keeping a checking account in the past to move forward.

The WBF Financial Education Innovation Award is a prestigious category of the WBF Excellence in Financial Education Awards. Submissions for the 2024 WBF Excellence in Financial Education Awards encompassed over 900 financial education presentations — including Teach Children to Save Day presentations, homeownership workshops, and elder financial abuse prevention seminars, among other initiatives — given by more than 400 Wisconsin bank employees, reaching approximately 30,000 Wisconsin community members.

February 9, 2025/by Cassandra Krause
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Innovation-Award-2024-scaled.jpg 1411 2560 Cassandra Krause https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Cassandra Krause2025-02-09 20:13:322025-02-10 15:31:21Bank of Sun Prairie Named 2024 WBF Financial Education Innovation Award Winner
Community, Member News, News

Over 30,000 Wisconsinites Reached by Banks’ Financial Education Efforts

Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Recognizes Volunteer Service of Bank Employees

On Thursday, November 21, 79 Wisconsin bankers and 21 banks were honored by the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) for their efforts in promoting financial literacy to Wisconsin’s community members. WBF is the non-profit arm of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) whose mission is to promote financial literacy and financial capability to the public and to broaden consumer empowerment in the financial services industry through research, education, grants, and scholarships.

Excellence in Financial Education award recipients were recognized during the WBA FLEX Retail & Marketing Summit in Wisconsin Dells.

The outstanding efforts of all honorees were celebrated at the recent WBA FLEX Retail and Marketing Summit held in Wisconsin Dells on November 21, 2024. During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, the individual and bank-level WBF Excellence in Financial Education award winners helped WBF expand its financial education to reach over 30,000 people throughout the state. These efforts included giving presentations in local classrooms to teach children about saving and managing money, leading homeownership workshops, and hosting fraud prevention seminars, among many other initiatives.

“Wisconsin bankers are very passionate about promoting financial wellness and helping their communities to thrive,” said Rose Oswald Poels, chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Board. “We are glad to recognize the remarkable work of these banks and individual bank employees in equipping Wisconsinites with skills to make informed decisions about money and build bright financial futures.”

Pictured (from left to right): Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Executive Director Cassie Krause, Financial Literacy Banker of the Year Award recipient Sue Krause of Fox Valley Savings Bank in Fond du Lac, and Financial Literacy Banker Award recipient Paige Vieth of Royal Bank in Elroy.

This year, Sue Krause of Fox Valley Savings Bank in Fond du Lac was awarded the prestigious Financial Literacy Banker of the Year Award. Krause completed 138 financial education presentations over the year. Paige Vieth, of Royal Bank in Elroy, was recognized with the Financial Literacy Banker Award for completing 70 financial education presentations.

In addition, Krause and Vieth were honored with the Certificate of Excellence alongside Rachael Ehrenberg, Farmers State Bank of Waupaca; Tammy J. Tongusi, Forte Bank, Hartford; Katlein Detloff, Ladysmith Federal Savings & Loan Association; and Jenean Friedl, Ashley Lombard, and Jen Yager of Royal Bank, Elroy, for exceeding 20 financial education presentations in their local communities during WBF’s 2023–2024 fiscal year.

Seventy-one individuals received a Certificate of Recognition completing at least five financial education presentations. This year’s recipients are Katelyn Hodel, Shane Moen, Ty Neupert, Peter Schleicher, and Sharilyn Zimmerman, Bank of Lake Mills; Laurie Janowski, Heather Kadletz, Sue Neuzil, Kala J. Schmitt, and Stephanie Slaby, Bank of Luxemburg; Tiffany Hilliard, Bank of Wisconsin Dells; Ann Cooley, Shari Huza, Sara Pahl, and Kim Rabska, Community First Bank in Boscobel; Rachael Danielson, Tami Miller, Emily Pfannes, and Amy Weiss, First National Bank of River Falls; Aaron J. Mork, FNC Bank in New Richland; Carol Swanson, Ladysmith Federal Savings & Loan Association; Jade Brindley, Tami Brogley, Amanda Brown, Kari Geyer, Jeffery Glass, Kayla Hamlin, Donna Hoppenjan, Linda Kress, Erika Nemitz, Courtney Pickel, Trisha Rehlinger, Sarah Rogers, Barb Skaife, Jenni Thomas, and Sheryl Tierney, Mound City Bank in Platteville; JoNell Empereur, Molly Gilbertson, Dan Lenz, Morgan Payne, Kendra Ruenger, Jaclyn Rutkowski, Amanda Schultz, and Tammy Wagner, National Exchange Bank & Trust in Fond du Lac; Ameilia Abraham, Hannah Corning, Jace Gustafson, Nona Havey, and Tracy Odegaard, One Community Bank in Oregon; Christine Buckman and Erik Thompson, Pillar Bank in Baldwin; Gina Patzer, Premier Community Bank in Marion; Silvia Donday-Selenske, Rochelle Mitchell, and Marisa Rivera, PremierBank in Fort Atkinson; Cody Belken, Courtney Dean, Morgan DeGuire, Brandie Howell, Luke Manke, Jessie Preston, Shania Sake, Holly Shelton, Maizee Splinter, Michael Starks, and Ashley Tabbert, Royal Bank in Elroy; Veron Gray and Mario Monterrey, The Equitable Bank SSB in Wauwatosa; and Jenni Badtke, Traci Chisholm, and Eric Hopfensperger, Wolf River Community Bank in Hortonville.

The WBF Excellence in Financial Education Award was presented to 21 WBA-member banks for their bank-wide dedication to financial education: Bank of Lake Mills; Bank of Luxemburg; Bank of Sun Prairie; Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Waterloo; First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; First National Bank of River Falls; FNC Bank, New Richmond; Forte Bank, Hartford; Horicon Bank; Ladysmith Federal Savings and Loan Association; National Exchange Bank & Trust, Fond du Lac; One Community Bank, Oregon; Pillar Bank, Baldwin; Premier Community Bank, Marion; PremierBank, Fort Atkinson; River Bank, Stoddard; Royal Bank, Elroy; The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Marinette; Waukesha State Bank; Waumandee State Bank; and Wolf River Community Bank, Hortonville.

November 22, 2024/by Cassandra Krause
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/efe-group-crop-e1732287658149.jpg 1061 1790 Cassandra Krause https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Cassandra Krause2024-11-22 08:48:262024-11-25 11:23:59Over 30,000 Wisconsinites Reached by Banks’ Financial Education Efforts
Education, News

Chair’s Column: Shaping Brighter Financial Futures in Wisconsin

By Al Araque

On September 12, I had the pleasure of gathering with colleagues, WBA members, and special guests at the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation’s second annual gala. The gala, held at the Wisconsin Historical Society, celebrated the WBF’s mission of empowering financial decisions through education, scholarships, and research. WBF is the non-profit arm of the Wisconsin Bankers Association and was granted public charity status in 2015.

A sincere thank you to the generous sponsors, donors, and attendees who helped WBF raise a net profit of $23,000! I departed with some excellent auction items and a good feeling having learned about the meaningful work being done by the four WBF grant
recipients: 6:8, Inc, Asset Builders, Eastbrook Academy, and Economics Wisconsin. I also got to hear an inspiring speech from Cole Hicken, a 2021 WBF Spring Scholarship recipient, who has already achieved success in the industry.

Each year WBF awards grants to support non-profit organizations whose work aligns with the foundation’s missions. If you work with a non-profit in your community that assists in providing the public with the resources and knowledge to make sound financial decisions, encourage them to apply. Applications for the 2025–2026 fiscal year are accepted February 2025–May 2025.

The foundation has two scholarship programs. The Agricultural Banking Scholarship (applications are open through November 15!) of $1,500 is given to two winners annually. The Spring Scholarship application opens in early 2025. Four winners of $2,000
scholarships are selected. Details about both scholarship programs can be found on the WBF website.

Here are just a few of the many positive impacts of financial literacy:
•   Financially literate individuals are more likely to engage in responsible financial behaviors, such as creating budgets, managing expenses, and prioritizing savings.
•   Studies show that people with higher financial literacy tend to have lower levels of high interest debt, such as credit card debt.
•   Financial literacy education has been linked to higher participation in retirement savings plans.

I hear from leaders at financial institutions around the state that financial literacy is top of mind. But not all banks have the resources to create collateral or design presentations for their communities about financial literacy. That is where WBF can help so much. I urge banks to consider WBF a clearinghouse for financial education resources and encourage you to leverage those resources. Lots of helpful information can be found on the WBF website, including links to resources from agencies like FDIC and CFPB and programs like BankOn. The resources provided by WBF include a range of free financial literacy lessons targeted at K–12 children, college students, business owners, older adults, and everyone in between.

If bankers are looking for ways to get involved, you’ll find information about volunteer opportunities with organizations like ABA, Junior Achievement, and local Finance & Investment Challenge Bowls.

WBF also partners with WBA to generate new consumer content on the current financial issues impacting your customers. These resources are meant to be distributed to clients and help start the conversation about check fraud, budgeting, and more. Check out the Consumer Content on the WBA website.

Because financial literacy is so crucial, WBF recognizes the banks and volunteers who generously donated their time and expertise each year to do presentations in their communities. Whether it is through the popular Read Raises Interest Kits distributed statewide for National Teach Children to Save Day, workshops for first-time homebuyers, or fraud prevention seminars. Staff is preparing for the Excellence in Financial Education awards which will be presented at the FLEX: Retail and Marketing Summit in November. These impressive stats were recently shared with me: over 400 volunteers did 900+ financial education presentations which reached more than 30,000 individuals in communities across Wisconsin (ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens).

WBA staff will be working with the Financial Literacy Advisory Board to select the 2025 Reading Raises Interest (RRI) book. Previous RRI books and related resources including lesson plans are available on the WBF website.

The Innovation Award winner will be announced at the annual WBA Bank Executives Conference in February. The award recognizes one bank that has taken a unique approach to empowering the financial decisions of its community members. It’s always inspiring to hear about the winning bank’s programs.

Let WBF support your bank’s commitment to helping customers and community members build a strong financial foundation.

Araque is SVP, director of consumer, private, and business banking with Johnson Financial Group, Racine, and the 2024–2025 WBA Chair.

 

November 12, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Dark-Blue-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-11-12 07:25:102024-11-12 07:25:10Chair’s Column: Shaping Brighter Financial Futures in Wisconsin
Grant presentation at WBF Gala
Community, News

Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Announces 2024 Grant Awards

Read more
September 20, 2024/by Cassandra Krause
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_6595-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 Cassandra Krause https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Cassandra Krause2024-09-20 10:47:242024-09-20 10:53:32Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Announces 2024 Grant Awards
News

Executive Letter: Empowering Futures – Foundation Gala Shines Light on Financial Literacy Initiatives

By Rose Oswald Poels

As chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF), I am happy to report that the second annual WBF Gala held on September 12 at the Wisconsin Historical Society was not just a fundraising success but was also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the important work being done by the Foundation.

The mission of WBF, the non-profit arm of the WBA created in 2015, is to promote financial literacy and capability through education, scholarships, grants, and research. Some of the ways that mission is being achieved are through the popular Reading Raises Interest Kits distributed statewide in conjunction with National Teach Children to Save Day, higher ed scholarships for students attending Wisconsin institutions, Banconomics reports that provide key data to banks in the Midwest, and grants made to other non-profit organizations aligning with our mission.

Leaders from non-profit organizations which received 2024 WBF grants were present at the Gala, and it was wonderful to see their financial literacy work being recognized by the attendees. Those non-profits are:

• 6:8, Inc – Circles Sauk Prairie program inspiring and equipping families and the community to resolve poverty and thrive
• Asset Builders – Statewide high school Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl competition
• Eastbrook Academy – Empowering educators for financial education excellence
• Economics Wisconsin – Statewide middle and high school stock market game

Attendees also heard an inspiring speech from Cole Hicken who was a 2021 WBF Spring Scholarship recipient. Hicken impressed us all with his reflections on the impact his scholarship had on his trajectory, his current success in the industry, and his goals for the future.

The festive event started off on the terrace of the Historical Society overlooking the UW-Madison Library Mall before moving to the elegant library space where guests enjoyed delicious food, good company, and the fun, fast-paced live auction.

I want to sincerely thank the incredibly generous attendees, sponsors, and donors who supported the WBF through multiple ways including presence at the Gala, event sponsorships, table sponsorships, donating silent and live auction items, and generous auction bidding. I am proud to reveal that the Gala raised a net profit of $23,000. We could not have achieved this success without the big-hearted and impactful support of WBA members and their guests.

Champion Sponsor:
FHLBank Chicago

Advocate Sponsors:
Bell Bank, Capitol Bank, Johnson Financial Group, and FIPCO’s ShareFI

In-Kind Donors:
4imprint
American National Bank – Fox Cities
American Players Theatre
Associated Bank, Green Bay
Bank of Kaukauna
Bankers’ Bank, Madison
Bell Bank, Eau Claire
BOK Financial Capital Markets
DoubleTree by Hilton Madison East
Mary and Kyle Engelke
Findorff
Fiserv
Food Fight Restaurant Group
Godfrey & Kahn
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Donna Hoppenjan
Ironwood
Mark Koehl
Cassandra Krause and Pierre Rideau
Lake Ridge Bank, Middleton
Ami Myrland
Rose Oswald Poels
Park Bank, Madison
Peoples State Bank, Wausau
The Edgewater Hotel
The Equitable Bank, Wauwatosa
Wilderness Resorts
Wisconsin Bankers Association

September 19, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Yellow-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-09-19 08:05:112024-09-19 14:26:26Executive Letter: Empowering Futures – Foundation Gala Shines Light on Financial Literacy Initiatives
Member News

Executive Letter: Champion Financial Literacy in Wisconsin at the Second Annual WBF Gala

By Rose Oswald Poels

As chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation, I am looking forward to the return of our Gala event for a second year. The event is coming up in just over a month on Thursday, September 12 from 5:30–9:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison. Last year’s inaugural gala was a fantastic event and a festive way to both celebrate and support the work being done by the Foundation.

The Foundation, which was established in 2015, is the non-profit arm of the Wisconsin Bankers Association and is dedicated to promoting financial literacy and capability through education, scholarships, and research. Its programming includes the beloved Reading Raises Interest Kits distributed statewide in conjunction with National Teach Children to Save Day, higher ed scholarships for students attending Wisconsin institutions, Banconomics reports, and grants to other non-profit organizations aligning with its mission.

The gala is open to the public, and I encourage you to attend and invite clients, family, and friends.

The Wisconsin Historical Society is an ideal venue for this year’s Gala; it is both elegant and welcoming with impressive views of Library Mall and Memorial Union. Semi-formal attire is encouraged, but if you are coming straight from work there is no need to worry about your business attire.

If you are not sure what to expect, Blue Plate catering will be providing an enticing array of heavy appetizers, desserts, and beverages and Geoffrey Sandler with Celebrations Entertainment will again serve as DJ, auctioneer, and all-around party host. Last year it was fun to see Geoffrey put attendees in a celebratory mood while ramping up the energy (and generosity) in the room, particularly during the live auction.

Once again there will be an appealing variety of both silent and live auction items to bid on. You can feel good about giving generously because your winning bid helps to actualize a stronger financial future for Wisconsinites. I recently reflected in an Executive Letter that WBA is fortunate to have dedicated bankers who are working every day to carry out our long-standing industry commitment to financial literacy and capability. This Gala provides an ideal way to celebrate that commitment and reflect on the impact of the foundation and our industry.

In addition to ample opportunities to network and enjoy the food and beverages while taking in the ambience, attendees will hear firsthand about the positive effect of WBF grants and scholarships. Representatives from the four very deserving non-profit organizations receiving 2024 WBF Grants will be recognized at the event. Additionally, a former WBF Scholarship recipient will share about the impact of the scholarship program on his education and career path.

I invite you to take an active role in this event by sponsoring the Gala or donating items for the auction. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (FEIN 46-3791061), your sponsorship payments to WBF are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by IRS rules.

For sponsorship opportunities or to donate auction items, please contact Nick Loppnow at nloppnow@wisbank.com or Cassandra Krause at ckrause@wisbank.com.

I feel confident that if you attend this year’s Gala that you’ll look forward to the event every year!

Check out this short video to get a sense of how beautiful the venue is and an overview of the fun that attendees had at last year’s inaugural event.

August 8, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Yellow-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-08-08 07:43:072024-08-08 07:43:07Executive Letter: Champion Financial Literacy in Wisconsin at the Second Annual WBF Gala
Community

Executive Letter: A Shared Commitment to Financial Literacy and Capability

By Rose Oswald Poels

We know that bankers throughout Wisconsin are working every day to help customers build a strong financial foundation and achieve their future goals. Bankers often do this work under the radar, but shining a light on these efforts and achievements can inspire others working in the industry and underscores how banks empower customers and community members to make sound financial decisions. WBA is fortunate to have dedicated bankers that proudly and consistently work to carry out this long-standing industry commitment to financial literacy.

The 2023–2024 WBF Financial Education Summary Forms recognize the achievements of both banks and their individual team members for their financial education presentations and activities from June 1, 2023, through May 31, 2024. These activities typically include volunteer hours with Junior Achievement, Teach Children to Save presentations, coaching teams of students for the Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl, and financial outreach or seminars that assist community members in managing or understanding their personal finances.

Individual bankers who have volunteered their time and insights through a visit, presentation, or other types of financial literacy-focused events complete the ‘Individual Summary Form.’ Submissions are compiled to highlight the number of presenters and participants, as well as the financial literacy topics covered, each fiscal year. Based on the number of presentations, bankers may also be selected to receive the Financial Literacy Banker of the Year Award, Financial Literacy Banker Award, or a certificate of excellence or recognition.

The bank-wide form captures information related to the bank’s financial education initiatives. Based on the level of a bank’s total activity, member banks may earn the Excellence in Financial Education Award, presented at the award ceremony at the WBA FLEX Retail & Marketing Summit on November 21, 2024.

Additionally, the Foundation’s highest honor, the Financial Education Innovation Award, is awarded to one bank that showcases an innovative, comprehensive financial education initiative or program. A separate ceremony honoring the Financial Education Innovation Award is held during the WBA’s annual Bank Executives Conference in February.

By documenting your bank’s endeavors in the realm of financial literacy, you are assisting the team at WBA as we work to share the impactful stories about Wisconsin banks and emphasize the value of the banking industry by:
• spotlighting the outstanding efforts of bankers in Wisconsin to increase the financial literacy and capability of their community members,
• celebrating financial education and the achievements of hundreds of bankers, and
• providing insight to Foundation staff on topics, tools, and demographics that can be incorporated into future resources.

This is why I encourage bankers not to be shy about sharing information about volunteer efforts. Make your efforts known by submitting the forms! I extend a heartfelt thank you to the bankers who have dedicated hours of their time and expertise to engage individuals of every age in financial education. This work is improving the futures of individuals and communities across Wisconsin.

The Foundation is genuinely honored to recognize and celebrate the wonderful and innovative efforts of the WBA membership. I urge all members — even those who do not seek recognition — to submit the two forms located on the Foundation’s website by Wednesday, July 31.

July 18, 2024/by Katie Reiser
https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Triangle-Backgrounds_Yellow-on-Light-Blue.jpg 972 1921 Katie Reiser https://www.wisbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wisconsin-Bankers-Association-logo.svg Katie Reiser2024-07-18 07:41:412024-07-18 07:41:41Executive Letter: A Shared Commitment to Financial Literacy and Capability
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