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By Rose Oswald Poels
The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) promotes financial responsibility through education, scholarships, and research across our state. We deliver on our mission through philanthropic programming made possible through the generosity of Wisconsin bankers. In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Foundation:
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Awarded seven grants to non-profit organizations that are making a difference in housing, financial literacy, and economic development in Wisconsin.
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Awarded six scholarships, including two $1,500 awards for students pursuing agricultural banking degrees and four $2,000 awards for students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and financial literacy.
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More than 100 member banks distributed Reading Raises Interest Kits to schools across Wisconsin in support of National Teach Children to Save Day. The 2025 kit featured Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock by Sheila Bair, helping bankers across Wisconsin teach young learners the value of saving and financial responsibility.
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Provided nearly 100 Banconomics reports as a free tool for bankers, policymakers, and the public.
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Presented Excellence in Financial Education Awards to more than 400 bankers who shared financial education presentations in their communities.
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Partnered with Economics Wisconsin to sponsor the Stock Market Game, enabling banking professionals to mentor students in grades 4–12 and help them build real-world financial decision-making skills.
We will recognize the seven non-profit organizations that received Foundation grants in 2025 at the WBF gala today, Thursday, September 25 in Madison. Attendees will hear directly from the non-profit recipients about the projects these grants supported. If you cannot join us at the gala, you can still support the Foundation by virtually bidding in our silent auction until 7:30 p.m. tonight, or making a general donation on the Foundation’s website.
We look forward to another year of building strong financial capability across Wisconsin and showcasing the great work bankers do every day. Thank you for your continued generous support of our industry’s charitable Foundation!
By Rose Oswald Poels
I am pleased to announce the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Gala will be returning for its third year! The event will take place on Thursday, September 25th from 5:30-8:30 at the Goodman Community Center Brassworks Building in Madison. The event is open to the public, and I cordially invite you to be a part of this elegant and exciting evening.
The gala is hosted by the charitable arm of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. The event celebrates the impactful work of the Foundation and the many bankers across Wisconsin who work to promote financial literacy.
Those who attended last year’s gala know what a lively night it can be! We’re bringing back emcee Geoffrey Sandler with Celebrations Entertainment who will serve as the DJ, auctioneer, and high-energy party host. Attendees will enjoy a delicious array of heavy appetizers, desserts, and an open bar.
There will be silent and live auctions featuring a range of items and experiences — your winning bid will support the Foundation’s statewide grants, scholarships, and financial education programs. We’ll also take time to recognize the non-profit grant recipients and the important work they do every day.
This year’s venue — the historic Brassworks Building — offers a warm, elegant atmosphere. Attire can range from business to semi-formal. Come as you are, or dress up and make a night of it! Tickets are $150 per individual or $1000 for a group of eight — a great option for bringing colleagues, clients, and friends along.
The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) has been committed to promoting financial literacy across our state through education, scholarships, and research since its founding in 2015. WBF’s ongoing efforts include the Reading Raises Interest kits distributed on Teach Children to Save Day, free access to Banconomics data reports, and grants to nonprofit organizations whose missions align with ours. The Foundation also supports students directly by awarding scholarships to young people pursuing agricultural banking programs in Wisconsin and to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding financial literacy achievement.
I invite you to take an active role in this important event by attending, sponsoring the gala, and/or donating items for auction. Your sponsorship payments to WBF as a 501(c)3 public charitable organization are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the IRS rules. Please contact me, Nick Loppnow (nloppnow@wisbank.com) or Elizabeth Fenton (efenton@wisbank.com) to sponsor the event or donate auction items.
Please join us for an elegant evening of food, music, networking, and generosity. I look forward to seeing you at one of my favorite events of the year!
Wisconsin Bankers Foundation grant recipient Asset Builders held their annual Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl (FICB) state championship tournament on Wednesday May 21, 2025, in Madison. FICB is an interactive educational game designed to help promote financial literacy and awareness among high school students.
Using a quiz bowl format, high school students representing schools from across the state face off as they are tested on their knowledge about personal finance, business, economics, and current events. Two teams make their way through the competitive brackets to battle for the FIBC “cup.”
This year’s results:
- First Place – State Champion: Nicolet High School
- Second Place: Northland Pines High School
- Final Four: Oshkosh West High School
- Final Four: Rhinelander High School
- Consolation Champion: Menomonie High School
Asset Builders Executive Director Richard Entenmann and FICB final round quizmaster Matt Moore with US Bank, Milwaukee congratulated the teams from Northland Pines High School and Nicolet High School on making it to the championship round.
If you’re interested in getting involved as a volunteer for FICB, visit www.ficbonline.org or contact Asset Builders’ co-founder and executive director Richard Entenmann. There are numerous opportunities to volunteer at 14 regional competitions held throughout Wisconsin during the school year leading up to the state championship in the spring.
Kudos to the financial industry volunteers and donors who supported FICB this year!
By 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.
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.
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.
By 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.
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.
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.
