Tag Archive for: Leaders in Banking Excellence

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Executive Letter: Join the Class of 2024

By Rose Oswald Poels

For generations, banking leaders across the state have made significant strides in ensuring the economic wellbeing of our communities and helping shape our industry into what we know today. To recognize the current and former bankers who have demonstrated excellence in banking, community service, and civic involvement, the Wall of Excellence was established by the Wisconsin Bankers Association in 2020.

Now in its fifth year of honoring Wisconsin’s most prominent bank leaders, the Wall of Excellence currently profiles the faces and stories of 28 Wisconsin bankers — some of whom were recognized posthumously — for their commitment to our industry and demonstration of the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and enthusiastic service. Permanent plaques commending these individuals and families are on display in the WBA Engagement Center in Madison and are seen by thousands of bankers who visit our headquarters annually for a variety of meetings and training programs. An in-person ceremony, featuring speakers from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and a member of Congress, will be held in September at the WBA Office to celebrate the Class of 2024 Leaders in Banking Excellence.

Joining the WBA Leaders in Banking Excellence is the Association’s most esteemed honor, and nominations to join as part of the Class of 2024 are being accepted now through Friday, May 10, 2024. Nominators will honor their approved banker(s) by making a $10,000 contribution for an individual or family to the Wisconsin Bankers Association (may be tax-deductible as a business expense) or Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (may be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution).

It is truly a privilege to work alongside you and stand witness to the individual and collective contributions many have made to our industry. Thank you for considering this invitation to nominate yourself or another to join our Class of 2024 Leaders in Banking Excellence at wisbank.com/Excellence. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Nominate a Banker
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Executive Letter: Recognizing Our Leaders

Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

For the last several years, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) has had the honor of recognizing bankers from around the state on our Leaders in Banking Excellence Wall. In addition to demonstrating excellence in their positions, these bankers have helped shape the Wisconsin banking industry into what we know today.

With 2023 marking the fourth year of honoring prominent bank leaders, I invite you to consider nominating yourself or another Wisconsin banker who has had a significant impact on their community, their institution, or the greater banking industry.

The Wall of Excellence, which now profiles 26 Wisconsin bankers, some who were recognized posthumously, highlights the faces and stories of those individuals and families who have made strides to ensure the economic security of Wisconsinites. As the Association’s most esteemed honor, joining the WBA Leaders in Banking Excellence Wall denotes one’s excellence in banking, community service, and civic involvement. The plaques honoring these leaders are centrally located in the Engagement Center at the WBA headquarters in Madison and seen by thousands of bankers annually.

This recognition is open to all current and former bankers who exemplify the highest ethics, professionalism, and enthusiastic service. Upon selection by the Association’s Board of Directors, nominators make a $10,000 contribution to either the WBA or its public charity, the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF). A celebration recognizing the selected individuals and families will be organized for this fall and include guest speakers from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and Congress. To nominate an individual or family for this prestigious honor, please complete the form by May 12 or contact me to learn more.

Generations of bankers have, and will continue to, excel in their service to their bank and neighbors, and we are proud to celebrate the bank leaders in Wisconsin who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to the success of Wisconsin’s economy and communities throughout the state.

Nominate a Banker
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Leaders in Banking Excellence celebration tent photo
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Five Honorees Join WBA Leaders in Banking Excellence

Pictured left to right are: Lee J. Schmalz, John K. Reinke, and Robert J. Just, Jr.

Five individuals were honored by the Wisconsin Bankers Association for their excellence in banking, community service, and civic involvement. A celebration was held on Friday, September 9 at the WBA headquarters in Madison, where a Leaders in Banking Excellence Wall installation displays a tribute to outstanding current and former bankers. The wall, established in 2020, now profiles 22 exceptional leaders.

“This year’s Leaders in Banking Excellence are once again deserving of the name,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “These five bankers have not only been influential in their profession but have also been actively involved in their communities throughout their careers.”

The honorees in the Class of 2022 Leaders in Banking Excellence are:

  • Robert J. Just, Jr., Mound City Bank, Platteville;
  • Debra R. Lins, the former Community Business Bank, Sauk City (and others);
  • John K. Reinke, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Marinette;
  • Lee J. Schmalz, East Wisconsin Savings Bank, Kaukauna; and
  • the late James B. Wigdale, M&I Bank (now BMO Harris Bank), Milwaukee.

To read the bios of each of the 2022 Leaders in Banking Excellence honorees, please visit the Class of 2022 page.

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2021 Leaders in Banking Excellence Photo
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Five Bankers Inducted into WBA Leaders in Banking Excellence

Five individuals were honored by the Wisconsin Bankers Association for their excellence in banking, community service, and civic involvement. A celebration was held on Friday, October 29 at the WBA headquarters in Madison, where a Leaders in Banking Excellence Wall installation displays a tribute to outstanding current and former bankers. The wall was established in 2020, and the five Class of 2021 honorees join the 12 inaugural honorees.

“These leaders have made significant contributions to Wisconsin’s banking industry and to the economic wellbeing of our state,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “Part of what makes them exceptional leaders is that they have inspired others to succeed in their professions and in service to their communities.”

The honorees in the 2021 Leaders in Banking Excellence class are: Jon Bernander, Bank of Wisconsin Dells; Robert Gorsuch, Oak Bank, Fitchburg; Mary L. Staudenmaier, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust (SNBT), Marinette; John Godfrey Thomson, The Bank of New Glarus; and Merlin E. Zitzner, Baraboo State Bank.

Read the bios of each of the 2021 Leaders in Banking Excellence honorees.

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Sitting area with curved seats facing toward wall display titled Leaders in Banking Excellence
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Leaders in Banking Excellence Honored by WBA

Twelve individuals are being honored by the Wisconsin Bankers Association for their excellence in banking, community service, and civic involvement. A celebration for this inaugural class was held on June 4 at the WBA headquarters in Madison, where a newly-built Leaders in Banking Excellence Wall installation displays a tribute to the selected current and former bankers. The event had been postponed from the fall of 2020 due to the pandemic.

“These leaders have helped shape Wisconsin’s banking industry into what it is today,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “They exemplify the values of our association:  highest ethics, professionalism, and enthusiastic service to our industry and to our state. It is my privilege to host an honor wall of this type at our WBA headquarters in Madison.”

The honorees in the 2020 Leaders in Banking Excellence are:  Paul C. Adamski, The Pineries Bank, Stevens Point; James K. Caldwell, First Citizens State Bank, Whitewater; the late James S. Dolister, Capitol Bank, Madison; the Eager Family, the former Union Bank & Trust Company, Evansville; Thomas F. Farrell, Peoples State Bank, Prairie du Chien; the late John F. (Jack) Kundert, the former Bank One, Monroe; E. David Locke, the former McFarland State Bank; Richard (Dick) Pamperin, Premier Community Bank, Marion; Steven R. Schowalter, Port Washington State Bank; Frederick F. Schwertfeger, Horicon Bank; Jerry Smith, First Business Bank, Madison; and the late Thomas M. Tubbs, Bank of Sun Prairie.

To learn more about each of the 2020 Leaders in Banking Excellence honorees, please visit www.wisbank.com/excellence2020/.

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About the Wisconsin Bankers Association
Founded in 1892, WBA is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing more than 200 commercial banks and savings institutions, their branches, and over 21,000 employees. The Association represents banks of all sizes in Wisconsin, and nearly 98 percent of banks in the state are WBA members.

By, Cassie Krause

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Wisconsin Bankers Association logo

questions@wisbank.com

608-441-1200

4721 S Biltmore Ln.
Madison, WI 53718

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