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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
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.
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.
Second annual FNC Bank Reality Fair
FNC Bank is honored to have recently organized their second annual FNC Bank Reality Fair held on May 14th for the Junior classes from both Osceola and St. Croix Falls High Schools. This bank-organized event took place at Osceola High School and provided students with an interactive simulation of an adult’s financial life of making real-world financial decisions and managing money. Throughout the event, students got to see what it’s like to have an account at a financial institution, make choices about how to use their money, get a loan, handle debt, and so much more. They engaged with various life stations, discovering how their financial choices influenced different aspects of their lives and budgets – such as renting versus buying a home, selecting vehicles, the expense of children, healthcare, and more.
While FNC Bank coordinated the reality fair, the support and community involvement extended well beyond the bank walls. Volunteers from over 20 local businesses offered guidance at each station throughout the event. FNC Bank attributes much of the event’s success to the numerous helping hands who enthusiastically participated that day including: Becky Styles, Bill Ties, Brandon Koehler, Chrissy Cook, Crystal Lusk, Devin Swanberg, Dominick Raedeke, Donya Goodwin, Ed Vater, Elise Kolbeck, Jessi Kruger, Kandra Frane, Kristy Halverson, Luke Wolf, Mark Casey, Matt Fisk, Melissa Lee, Michael Corradi, Neil Kline, Penny Austad, Rebecca Stenberg, Rhonda Austin, Ruth Satler, Sarah Heintz, Seth Willard, Shannon Donaghue, Shari Steele, Shelley Ross, Sophie Haren, Tara Rothe, Tim Pauley, Tom Mews, and Whitney Dinzeo.
Additionally, the success of the fair hinged on the collaborative effort between FNC Bank, Osceola High School, and St. Croix Falls High School, with the schools not only providing venue and transportation but, most importantly, reinforcing the significance of financial literacy in our schools.
“FNC Bank is proud to contribute to the growth and success of our local youth, and to guide them through important financial decisions that may come along their journey in life.” states Aaron Mork, reality fair organizer and Commercial Lender at FNC Bank. “For students, the reality fair is an eye-opening and fun way to develop financial knowledge and skills. It’s exciting to see students dive into the world of finance and have a blast learning how to manage their money like a pro!”
By Rose Oswald Poels
For banks, promoting financial literacy and capability is a long-standing, year-round tradition. These efforts are especially amplified throughout April, Financial Literacy Month. It is during this time that our industry showcases our ongoing commitment to supporting the financial wellness of our local community members.
With a mission to promote financial literacy and capability to the public and to broaden consumer empowerment in the financial services industry, the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation is proud to partner with banks across the state to aid in the effort to equip individuals of all ages with the knowledge and skills essential for making informed financial choices. In addition to scholarships offered annually to Wisconsin students and research published on Banconomics.com, education remains a significant priority. As such, the Foundation has curated a list of digital resources bankers may leverage in their efforts to promote financial well-being. These resources are free to use in April and throughout the year.
In addition to promoting these efforts in conjunction with your team’s participation in WBA’s Power of Community Week, I ask that your team also complete the Foundation’s 2023–2024 Financial Education Summary Forms to capture and celebrate the numerous ways bankers volunteer their time and expertise to foster financial literacy. While many bankers do not seek recognition for their outstanding service to Wisconsinites, reporting the financial education-focused activities your bank is involved with helps inform the efforts of WBA and WBF staff and is compiled for elected officials and members of our communities to highlight our collective efforts.
As economic uncertainties linger, personal finance and financial stability remain top of mind for communities throughout the country. In Wisconsin, it is evident that bankers remain dedicated to building a stronger and more resilient financial future for all. Thank you for your continued commitment.
Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Recognizes Outstanding Financial Education Initiative
Rose Oswald Poels (left) and Jaclyn Rutkowski (right)
The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) is pleased to announce that National Exchange Bank & Trust, headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wis., has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Financial Education Innovation Award. The award was presented to National Exchange Bank & Trust representative Jaclyn Rutkowski during a special luncheon on February 8, 2024, in Wisconsin Dells at the largest banking industry event in the state, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Bank Executives Conference.
“Too often, people are reluctant to talk or ask questions about finances,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBF chair and WBA president and CEO. “Through their ‘It’s OK not to know’ campaign, National Exchange Bank & Trust has shared useful financial resources in a fun, accessible way.”
National Exchange Bank & Trust representatives (left to right) Karri Oelke, Jaclyn Rutkowski, and Nicole Wiese
National Exchange Bank & Trust’s multi-media financial education campaign, titled “It’s OK not to know,” ran across digital and social media channels, including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. The campaign was designed to engage community members who may not yet feel confident in their financial literacy. Featured content covered topics such as “pay yourself first,” “zero-based budgeting,” and the difference between an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and a fixed-rate mortgage. The campaign included a diverse range of media, such as short-form videos, images with text, emails, and blog posts. The shareable content also emphasized an overarching theme that banks are judgement-free resources, ready to provide support and guidance.
The WBF Financial Education Innovation Award is a prestigious category of the WBF Excellence in Financial Education Awards. Submissions for the 2023 WBF Excellence in Financial Education Awards encompassed over 700 financial education presentations given by 365 Wisconsin bank employees, reaching approximately 25,500 Wisconsin community members.
