By Rose Oswald Poels
Every year, WBA’s Power of Community Week aims to highlight the countless ways bankers give back to their communities and underscore the value of the banking industry. With the Association’s seventh annual Power of Community Week campaign beginning in one month, now is the time for WBA-member banks to begin sharing the ways in which their teams will participate and contribute to this meaningful campaign.
WBA’s 2024 Power of Community Week will take place April 15–20, 2024, and bring together countless banker volunteers — as well as WBA Associate Members and WBA staff — for a week of service activities in celebration of our commitment to fostering community well-being. This annual event is not just an opportunity for banks to showcase their dedication to community service; it is a reminder that the success of our communities is central to the mission of community banking.
While Power of Community Week generates high levels of participation, banks certainly do not limit their community service activities to this single week. These service efforts are foundational to the banking profession and a continuous and integral aspect of the identity of many of our members.
Banks’ community involvement is sometimes credited to requirements established by the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) — aspects bankers certainly do consider — however, our member banks go beyond these regulations and demonstrate a genuine commitment to security and stability of families, business owners, farmers, and non-profit organizations around them. The Power of Community Week initiative works to reshape this narrative and shed light on the significant contributions made by bankers in April and throughout the year.
If your team hasn’t already, completing the participation form allows our staff to spotlight the community-focused efforts occurring across the state as well as inform our elected officials and the public of the commitment of our industry to all Wisconsinites. As a reminder, any community-focused efforts that occur throughout the month of April and early May “count” for Power of Community Week participation. Be sure to also share with us your event photos by using the hashtag #BanksPowerWI and tagging the Wisconsin Bankers Association on social media.
On behalf of all of those who have been or will be impacted by the work you and your team do this April, thank you for being a part of what makes Wisconsin such a great place to live, work, and do business. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.