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Benton State Bank Announces Rebranding to Conservation First Bank

Benton State Bank, a trusted financial institution serving the tri-state area for over 131, is proud to announce its official rebrand to Conservation First Bank. This new name reflects the Bank’s longstanding commitment to financial stewardship while also highlighting its dedication to conservation and community-focused initiatives. By adopting this identity, Conservation First Bank will not only expand its reach to new customers but also continue to enhance the level of service and competitiveness provided to current clients.

“Our new name, Conservation First Bank, positions us to appeal to a growing market of outdoor enthusiasts and expand our current reach while maintaining our focus on the tri-state area,” said Scott Freiburger, President & CEO of Conservation First Bank. “While our name and brand are changing, our core values remain the same — personal service, trusted relationships, and a deep commitment to our customers and our communities.”

The rebranding aligns with the bank’s ongoing initiatives to remain locally owned, growth oriented, and provide innovative financial solutions for individuals, families, businesses, and farmers.

What Customers Can Expect:

  • No changes to accounts or services – All account numbers, loans, and banking relationships remain the same.
  • New branding – Customers will begin to see the new Conservation First Bank name and logo on statements, checks, debit cards, and signage in the coming weeks.
  • Continued commitment – The bank’s focus on customer care, community engagement, and financial stability remains unchanged.
  • Dedication to Conservation – The bank will actively promote and support habitat restoration, conservation organizations, agriculture, and educational initiatives.

“As Conservation First Bank, we are building on a strong foundation while looking ahead to serve future generations,” added Scott Freiburger. “This is more than a name change; it’s a reflection of our promise to put people, our local communities, and conservation first.”

For more information about the rebrand, customers can visit conservationfirstbank.com, call 608-759-3600, or stop by any branch location in Benton, Potosi, and Shullsburg, WI.

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Horicon Bank Names Voight to the Senior Management team

Cassie Voight

Horicon Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Cassie Voight to Director of Operations, Senior Vice President, as well as her appointment to the Senior Management Team.

Voight began her career with the bank in 2002 as a teller and has steadily advanced through a variety of leadership roles, most recently serving as Vice President.

Throughout her tenure, Cassie Voight has led complex projects and cross-functional teams, aligning initiatives with Horicon Bank’s strategic goals. Her leadership promotes collaboration, accountability, and high performance across departments. In recognition of her impact, she was recently invited to join the bank’s senior management team.

Voight says her role at Horicon Bank is more than a job title change.

“My career at Horicon Bank has been a journey of growth, purpose, and value—where I’ve found not just a role, but a place to make a meaningful impact,” said Voight. “Horicon Bank offers employees a chance to make a difference in the lives of our customers and communities – to be caring bankers whether we are in the front line or back office.”

Voight recently graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and actively contributes to industry best practices through her volunteer work and board service with the Shazam and Phoenix user groups.

“Cassie has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout her career at Horicon Bank,” said Fred C. Schwertfeger, President. “Her ability to lead complex initiatives and foster collaboration across teams makes her promotion to Senior Vice President well deserved. We’re proud to have her guiding our continued growth and innovation.”

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DC Everest High School Unveils New Audio and Video Board With Support from Intercity State Bank

Pictured (from left to right): Mike Mathies, DC Everest High School Athletic Director; Krisi Gilray, Vice President Compliance & Risk Management; Loralee Geier, Risk Management Specialist; Ginny Sauer, Marketing Coordinator; and Chris Pfender, Regional President.

DC Everest High School recently celebrated the installation of a state-of-the-art audio and video board at Stiehm Stadium, made possible in part through a $75,000 sponsorship from Intercity State Bank. The new scoreboard is a major enhancement for the school’s athletic programs and a reflection of Intercity’s longstanding commitment to investing in the local community.

“DC Everest has been a huge part of our success, and we’re thrilled to partner with them on this project,” said Chris Pfender, Regional President of Intercity State Bank. “We believe strongly in investing in our communities, and this new scoreboard is a great way to enhance the experience for athletes and fans alike.”

Pfender added, “One of the many lessons we’ve learned over our 75+ years in business is that supporting, enhancing, and building stronger communities benefits everyone. We’re proud to be part of a project that will create a better game-day experience for students, families, and fans.”

The new scoreboard will also create hands-on learning opportunities for students. “As a school district, we would not have moved forward with this type of project if it didn’t offer something meaningful for our students,” said DC Everest Athletic Director Mike Mathies. “With this technology, students will eventually take over many of the live game responsibilities and even produce much of the content. This partnership allows us to give students real-world experience while continuing to provide a first-class experience for our fans.”

The project highlights the power of community partnerships and underscores Intercity State Bank’s dedication to supporting local schools and organizations—helping ensure student success both on and off the field.

Intercity State Bank is a branch of One Community Bank. One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 19 bank locations and $2.5 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Seven years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Orgeon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Reedstown, Wonewoc, Union Center, Schofield, Weston, and Wausau. Member FDIC.

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Nonprofit Donations to Surpass $1 Million at First Business Bank’s 15th Charity Golf Invitational

First Business Bank’s Charity Golf Invitational will reach a historic milestone, surpassing $1 million in total donations to Wisconsin nonprofits since the tournament’s inception in 2011. The 15th annual event, featuring competitions in both Madison and Milwaukee areas, is scheduled to award $144,000 in new donations, pushing the cumulative total over the seven-figure mark.

The milestone represents an extraordinary achievement for a tournament that began with a simple yet innovative concept: two-person golf teams compete on behalf of a charity they choose, with tournament entry fees becoming prize donations for the winning nonprofits.

South Central Wisconsin Charity Golf Invitational
September 17, 2025 | 10:30 am – 6:00 pm Nakoma Golf Course, Madison, Wisconsin

Southeast Wisconsin Charity Golf Invitational
September 22, 2025 | 10:30 am – 6:00 pm The Legend at Bristlecone, Hartland, Wisconsin

Schedule of Events:

  • 10:30 am: Check-in, networking, and lunch
  • 12:00 pm: Shotgun start tournament play
  • 4:00 pm: Cocktails and appetizers in clubhouse
  • 5:30 pm: Awards ceremony with check presentations to winning charities

Please note: In case of inclement weather, the golf course will determine golf play. If inclement weather cancels the event, designated charities receive entry fees from their golf teams.

In this unique tournament format, each team pays a $2,000 entry fee that becomes part of pooled donations. The charities chosen by the five best-performing golf teams receive prize donations, ensuring several nonprofits benefit at each event. First Business Bank covers all tournament expenses so 100% of the entry fees go directly to winning charities.

Since 2011, the First Business Bank’s Charity Golf Invitationals have made more than 95 donations to a wide variety of nonprofits. Read more about the legacy of the Charity Golf Invitational.

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Andy Navis is Here to Serve the Waupun Community

Andy Navis

National Exchange Bank & Trust (NEBAT) is pleased to announce that Andy Navis, Commercial Lender, has established office hours at the bank’s Waupun location, and he is readily available to support the community. With a strong commitment to serving local businesses, Navis is prepared to assist with all commercial lending needs and provide personalized financial solutions tailored to each business.

Navis began his career with NEBAT in 2021, as an Appraisal Review Specialist. Throughout his tenure, he has also worked as a Portfolio Administrator and a Credit Analyst for commercial lending. In February 2025, Navis was promoted to Commercial Lender,  assisting new and existing business customers with their short-term, long-term and revolving credit needs.

Navis grew up in Waupun, where he attended Waupun Area Junior / Senior High School. He then went on to UW – Whitewater, where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance. He currently resides in Waupun with his spouse and is active in the community as a member of the Alto Fair Board.

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Executive Letter: President Trump’s Executive Order on Debanking

From the Desk of Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

Earlier in August, President Trump issued Executive Order 14331 called “Guaranteeing Fair Banking For All Americans.” Among other identified purposes, the Order states that: “Bank regulators have used supervisory scrutiny and other influence over regulated banks to direct or otherwise encourage politicized or unlawful debanking activities.”

The Order defines “politicized or unlawful de-banking” as any act by a financial institution to directly or indirectly restrict access to, or modify the conditions of, accounts, loans, or other banking services on the basis of a customer’s political or religious beliefs, or based on lawful business activities disfavored by the institution for political reasons.

Fair lending and related laws have existed for decades, and bankers have followed those laws throughout time. As a result, my initial view of the Order was that it is codifying or clarifying current law.

The order directs federal banking regulatory agencies to take various actions to implement intent. Many agencies, including FRB, OCC, and FDIC, have taken initial steps with their recent removal of reputational risk from supervisory expectations.

Additionally, the SBA sent a letter last week to lenders of actions to be taken by early December. Banks must review past and current policies that could be interpreted as encouraging politicized or unlawful de-banking and prepare a compliance report by January 5, 2026. Lenders failing to comply may risk punitive measures and lose good standing with the SBA.

These recent developments have once again inspired national attention around debanking and important questions about how they intersect with existing fair lending and other banking laws. I’ve fielded questions and concerns from our members about how these changes will affect daily bank operations, compliance practices, and relationships with customers.

WBA is committed to ensuring our members have the most current information and clarity. I invite you to attend our complimentary live webinar this Thursday, September 4, from 9:00 to 10:00 am CT. I will be joined by Peter Wilder, attorney with Godfrey & Kahn, as we review the executive order, SBA directives, and the current legal framework that governs fair lending.

This webinar is held specifically to support WBA bank members and will not be recorded in order to allow for candid discussions. We encourage you to bring questions

and participate in the Q&A session.

Registration is free but required. Please register one attendee per planned webinar connection to help us ensure sufficient capacity.

I look forward to speaking with you all on Thursday as we break down what these changes mean for your bank and your customers

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Headwaters State Bank’s MaryEllen Otterpohl Honored With WBA Lifetime Service Award

MaryEllen Otterpohl (third from left) and Rose Oswald Poels (fifth from left) with Headwaters State Bank Board Members (from left to right) Greg Bybee, Tom Reed, Jeanene Meisser, James Meisser, Cori Zavada, and John Sarama.

MaryEllen Otterpohl, Vice President Loans/Compliance, recently received a Wisconsin Bankers Association Lifetime Service Award in recognition of her 35 years of service to the banking industry.

WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels was on hand on August 22, 2025, in Land O’ Lakes to present a plaque to Otterpohl.

Pictured (left to right): MaryEllen Otterpohl receives Lifetime Service Award plaque from WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels.

WBA congratulates Otterpohl on her award and thanks her for over three decades of dedication to banking.

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Executive Letter: Celebrating WBA’s 2025 Highlights

From the Desk of Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

As we approach the end of summer, I’m proud to reflect on the many ways the Wisconsin Bankers Association has strengthened our industry and advanced the mission of Wisconsin banks so far this year. Our many accomplishments would not happen without the support and active engagement of our members. Below are a few of our highlights achieved to date:  

Housing Grant Awards

Earlier this year, WBA awarded $60,000 in grants to six member banks in support of housing, economic development, and financial literacy initiatives across Wisconsin. These efforts ranged from emergency housing microloans and targeted financial literacy education to strategic efforts to increase Native American homeownership. These meaningful projects reflect the deep commitment of Wisconsin banks to strengthen their own communities.

Fraud Summit Success

In June, WBA hosted its first-ever Fraud Summit in direct response to member feedback requesting more resources to address increasingly complex fraud threats. This event brought in fraud experts and bankers from across the state to share insights on cyberattacks, payment fraud, social engineering, and AI-driven scams. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and we plan host the event again in the future to keep members educated on emerging threats.

Second Class of BOLT Leadership Academy

WBA is committed to cultivating the next generation of bank leaders. We launched our second class of BOLT (Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow) Leadership Academy, a program designed to equip emerging community bank leaders with advanced industry knowledge and a strong peer network. Members of the new cohort are already making an impact — a few participants represented Wisconsin at the American Bankers Association’s Washington Summit this past spring and spoke directly to policymakers.

Advocacy Wins

WBA’s advocacy efforts this year have rung in meaningful results for Wisconsin’s banking industry. On the federal level, we celebrated two major wins. In the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Congress passed a modified version of the ACRE Act, which provides banks with a 25% federal income tax exemption on ag real estate loans which will help banks support their farm customers. Second, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (the “trigger leads” bill), which restricts credit reporting agencies’ ability to sell consumer contact information after applying for a mortgage loan, passed the U.S. House and Senate and is awaiting the President’s signature.

These policy victories are the direct result of your grassroots engagement through WBA with elected officials. Moreover, through contributions to Wisbankpac and the Alliance for Bankers Conduit, we help ensure pro-banking candidates are elected to office at the state and federal levels.

Record Number of Associate Members

WBA associate membership reached 176, the highest number of associate members to date. These partnerships not only provide important resources to WBA, but also offer WBA members a wide variety of meaningful products and services.

I am very excited and proud of what we have all accomplished together so far this calendar year! I look forward to continuing this success as we move through the remainder of the year. Thank you for taking an active part in ensuring a strong future for the Wisconsin banking industry!

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Wisconsin Bankers Association Warns of Rise in Bank Spoofing Occurring in Wisconsin — Bank Customers Must Be Vigilant Against Financial Fraud

The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is warning Wisconsinites of increased bank fraud and encourages citizens to continue their efforts to spot scams by criminals seeking to obtain bank account or personal information. With greater frequency, Wisconsin banks see a variety of fraud activity targeting consumers, including recent attempts by bad actors to defraud customers through calls impersonating the bank. Many instances include “phone number spoofing” which makes the call appear as if it were from the bank itself. If a call seems suspicious, hang up and contact the bank directly using a verified number.

“Banks across Wisconsin go to great lengths to help protect customers by investing in anti-fraud tools and account security. Wisconsin bankers, law enforcement, and other state agencies do a good job on educating Wisconsin residents on the importance of protecting personal data and banking account information,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA President and CEO. “However, criminals are sophisticated in their spoofing of bank names on Caller ID and creating fake websites or text messages with bank logos to mislead customers into providing account access information or transferring money. Bank customers must be vigilant to protect bank account and personal information from criminals.”

The Wisconsin Bankers Association offers the following tips to help protect customers against scams or financial exploitation:

  1. Watch for these red flags of phishing in emails, calls, and text messages:
    • They ask you to open a link you were not expecting
    • They use urgent or fear-inducing language
    • They send an attachment
    • They request personal information like PINs, passwords, or social security numbers
    • They pressure you to log into, or send money with, payment apps
  2. Write safer checks:
    • Use permanent gel pens when you write a check
    • Avoid blank spaces so criminals can’t fill them in instead
    • Withhold personal information on your checks
    • Take your mail directly to a U.S. Post Office location; do not use your mailbox at home or a free-standing blue drop box to send mail
    • Attentively monitor your account activity on your online banking platform
    • Regularly review your paid checks on your online banking platform, including ensuring the endorsement is correct and reflects the intended payee and amount
    • Switch to your bank’s payment app or online bill pay instead of writing a check
    • Follow up with payees to confirm they received and deposited your check

The best defense against scams is to stay informed. More information about how to spot scams and bank spoofing may be found at: https://www.banksneveraskthat.com/.

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One Community Bank Finalizes Merger with Intercity State Bank

One Community Bank is excited to welcome Intercity State Bank to our growing organization. The successful completion of this planned merger is official as of August 1, 2025. This merger brings together two like-minded community banks with a shared mission to serve clients, support colleagues, and invest in their local communities.

“I am excited to have Intercity State Bank join One Community Bank in 2025,” said Steve Peotter, President and CEO of One Community Bank. “I have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the Intercity team over the years. Through this merger and our aligned approach, we will enhance our clients’ experience, provide expanded career opportunities for colleagues, and elevate our support of the greater Wausau community.”

The relationship between the two organizations is long-standing. Steve Peotter has served on the Intercity Board of Directors for the past decade. The banks have also partnered on several projects in the greater Wausau area. The combined organization will continue to be owned by the same shareholder group, further reinforcing our aligned mission and values. “Both the OCB and Intercity teams have a strong focus on personalized service and community values,” said Chris Pfender, Regional President of Intercity State Bank. “We have been working hard to ensure a seamless transition for our valued clients. Together, we are deeply committed to continuing to grow in North Central Wisconsin.”

Effective August 1, 2-25, Intercity State Bank will operate as Intercity State Bank – Branch of One Community Bank. Clients will continue to enjoy exceptional service from the people they know and trust in Schofield, Weston and Wausau.

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questions@wisbank.com

608-441-1200

4721 S Biltmore Ln.
Madison, WI 53718

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