Tag Archive for: Power of Community Week

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Executive Letter: Promoting Financial Literacy During Financial Literacy Month

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.

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Executive Letter: The Power of Wisconsin’s Banking Community

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.

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Chair’s Column: Active Involvement. Lasting Impression.

By Donna Hoppenjan

Engagement is a fundamental aspect of the Wisconsin Bankers Association; without the active participation of our members, WBA, nor our industry, would not be nearly as successful. Since beginning my term as WBA chair last June, our focus as an Association has been on exploring and expanding the ways in which our members inspire each other and the communities they serve.

As members of the Association, bankers will find countless opportunities to expand their engagement, make their voice heard, and leave their mark. From collaborating with WBA staff to offer relevant resources and events to participating in initiatives that support pro-banking matters, the engagement of our membership is beneficial for all and critical to our industry’s continued success. Yet, the ways in which we inspire future success go far beyond the work done within the Association.

It is no secret that throughout the year, bankers across Wisconsin are actively involved in various ways in their communities. During WBA’s annual Power of Community Week, these efforts are magnified. Power of Community Week — which will take place April 15–20, 2024 — serves as a powerful reminder of the collective impact we can have when we come together to support and uplift the communities we call home. During this week — and throughout the month of April — we witness firsthand the incredible dedication of our members to philanthropy, volunteerism, and community outreach.

No matter how you and your team demonstrate your commitment to our industry, inspiring positive change in any area is not a task we can accomplish alone. Your participation within WBA and throughout our communities is rewarding and directly contributes to the prosperity of our state.

Hoppenjan is president and CEO of Mound City Bank, Platteville, and the 2023–2024 WBA Chair.

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Executive Letter: Banks Power Wisconsin

Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

Six years ago, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) brought forth the Power of Community Week campaign to encourage bankers to share their activities during April — which also aligns with Financial Literacy and Capability Month, Community Banking Month, and Volunteer Month. As participation in the campaign only continues to increase, I wish to remind all WBA members of the value in highlighting their community-focused efforts.

As we all are well aware, embracing a community-focused mindset is deeply ingrained into the day-to-day functions of a career in banking; community service is a foundational component to the work bankers do each day. While CRA requirements are an aspect bankers must consider, many go far beyond what is expected — both in and out of the office — simply because they are committed to fostering growth in the communities in which they live, work, and play.

As I have stated previously, the credit union industry continues to be extremely vocal regarding their community-focused activities and, unfortunately, many of these profit-driven organizations are under the guise of a mission-focused institution. It is critical, for the continued prosperity of our industry and of our communities, that bankers remain proactive in informing our elected officials and the public of the work our teams do to serve our neighbors.

In order for WBA to spotlight the activities bankers take part in to give back to their communities, underscore the value of community banking, and work through the legislative process this session, I ask that you please take the time this month to share with us how your bank is involved by completing the 2023 Power of Community Week participation form (if you haven’t already) and sharing your event photos with us by using the hashtag #BanksPowerWI on social media.

Of course, the efforts demonstrated in serving and supporting Wisconsin communities is not just an annual event for banks. Throughout the year, these bankers across the state take part in volunteer activities, make donations, and support the families, business owners, farmers, and non-profit organizations around them. Participating in WBA’s Power of Community campaign helps our Association amplify the message that banks are devoted to serving Wisconsin.

Additionally, if your team will be venturing into local schools for Teach Children to Save Day on or around April 27, or are planning to host any financial education-related presentations by May 31, 2023 (of which all “count” for Power of Community Week participation), I encourage you to share these details with the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation to be recognized with an Excellence in Financial Education Award at the WBA FLEX: Retail and Marketing Summit this fall for your outstanding efforts to improve the financial capability of all Wisconsinites.

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 going above and beyond to demonstrate your commitment to your communities and Wisconsin’s banking industry. Your extensive efforts have not gone unnoticed.

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Expanding Your Engagement

WBA members find new ways to get involved this spring

By Daniel J. Peterson

At the beginning of my term as chair for the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA), I announced that my top priority for the year ahead was to encourage WBA-member bankers to deepen their engagement with the Association.

Since June, our members have done an excellent job at leading the charge to shape the future of the Association and the profession. Between participating in fundraising efforts in support of pro-banking initiatives and returning in full force to the various WBA events and programs held thus far — thousands of bankers from around the state have taken advantage of their opportunities to gain knowledge, access resources, and build connections.

WBA also understands that there is much more to engagement than participation within the Association — it is a critical component of our role as bankers that we are involved in serving our communities as well.

Each spring, WBA-member banks, Associate Members, and Association staff look forward to taking part in various volunteer activities highlighting the banking industry’s commitment to the community. As Consumer Protection Week, Community Banking Month, Financial Literacy Month, and Teach Children to Save Day are all just around the corner, now is the perfect time to demonstrate to our neighbors the value of our industry.

As part of this yearly commitment to going above and beyond for our communities, WBA hosts Power of Community Week to highlight the support Wisconsin’s banking industry shows for the communities throughout our state. During the sixth annual campaign — which will be held April 17–22, 2023 — all WBA members are encouraged to showcase the phenomenal efforts put forth by their team by visiting wisbank.com/BanksPowerWI.

However your team chooses to engage with the community this spring — be it making a donation to a local shelter or nonprofit, hosting a shred day, or volunteering to educate members of your community — the value of expanding engagement both within the Association and outwards into the community is both rewarding and gratifying for all.

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Executive Letter: Highlighting Your Community-focused Efforts

Rose Oswald PoelsBy Rose Oswald Poels

At the heart of the banking industry is community. Now more than ever, it is imperative that members of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) shine a spotlight on the work they do to contribute to the wellbeing of their communities, both inside and outside the office.

Credit unions have long touted the ‘exemplary’ work they do to engage and support their communities. However, WBA and bankers from across the state know that banks, too, do important work to support their communities above and beyond what may be required under CRA. Between volunteering their time, donating supplies and money, and helping to educate community members young and old — among so many other things — bankers make a huge impact every day in their communities by reinvesting their time and money into the local economy and its people. However, many bankers are reluctant to take credit, highlight the work they do, or take time to share the information with WBA.

As the Association looks ahead to a busy 2023–2024 legislative session — including goals to pass legislation on several key issues and guard against harmful credit union expansion, credit card swipe fees (interchange), and privacy reform — we encourage bankers to share the work they do to better their communities. Keeping these examples top of mind for legislators helps to advance our advocacy efforts.

In demonstrating to our elected leaders the critical role banks play in supporting their neighbors, the Association has the ability to underscore how issues such as banking modernization and credit union expansion have much wider implications. The credit unions do a good job of convincing elected officials that they are mission focused, and community minded rather than solely profit driven. I would argue that Wisconsin banks are no different. WBA needs your help in sharing our industry’s strong message of community to counter the rhetoric and implications of the credit union industry’s message.

As you reflect upon all the ways in which your bank was involved in your communities in calendar year 2022, I ask that you please complete the WBA Community Involvement Survey to assist our team in accurately highlighting the unique ways WBA members partake in philanthropy and volunteer activities.

If you are looking for more ways to reach your community in 2023, I also encourage you to participate in WBA’s sixth annual Power of Community Week, April 17–22, 2023 — a campaign specifically focused on celebrating the commitment of bankers to their communities. This event also aligns with Community Banking Month and Financial Literacy Month and provides the perfect opportunity for all WBA members to make their community-focused efforts known!

Take the WBA Community Involvement Survey
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Reflecting on Another Incredible Year

Ken Thompson HeadshotBy Kenneth D. Thompson

As my time as WBA Chair comes to a close on May 31, and I prepare to hand the baton over to Daniel Peterson, I wish to reflect upon the remarkable efforts bankers throughout our state have made this year to ensure the success of our industry. Even as we continue to feel the residual impacts of the pandemic, Wisconsin bankers continue to face every challenge in stride and stand as trusted partners in their communities.

 

Advocacy

This year, over 100 bankers from around the state attended WBA’s annual Capitol Day at the State Capitol in Madison. In addition to hearing from Wisconsin political leaders, bankers met with legislators to convey how issues like credit union expansion, banking regulatory modernization, interchange fee legislation, and elder fraud directly impact their local economies and consumers.

Similarly, many bankers have testified on several WBA key issues in the last year. Your grassroot involvement was critical in preventing bills such as those allowing for the expansion of credit unions from moving past either House. Your engagement in testifying, commenting, and supporting WBA’s efforts further unites our industry.

Education

As bankers continue to embrace new post-pandemic realities, WBA staff too is learning and shifting to best meet the needs of WBA members. Between new hybrid approaches to specific conferences and events geared at keeping our bankers informed — thousands of bankers from throughout the state have benefited from WBA’s adaptability in times of uncertainty which has allowed banks across the state to continue to grow and embrace each challenge faced.

These challenges, though difficult, have also been extremely rewarding. Bankers have shown their innovation and flexibility not only for the sake of their team members, but for their communities. This year, over 100 banks participated in WBA’s fifth annual Power of Community Week to engage with members of their communities through various service events. Throughout the year, the efforts bankers make in establishing connections within the communities they serve prove valuable in aiding the financial wellbeing of our neighbors. Additionally, your efforts assist in shaping the public’s opinion of the banking industry — a valuable perspective to hold especially as we approach election season — continue to explore new ways of embracing technology, and evolve as an industry.

I would also like to extend a sincere ‘thank you’ to WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels and her staff — I speak for many of us when I say I am deeply grateful for the work that the association does for the banking community in Wisconsin and beyond.

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Wisconsin Banks Power Their Communities

How your bank can make the most out of April

By Daryll J. Lund

During the week of April 18–23, the fifth annual Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Power of Community Week will once again bring bankers, Associate Members, and WBA staff together to highlight the collective impact the banking industry has on the communities it serves. This tradition has allowed Wisconsin bankers to demonstrate to the public their ongoing commitment through participating in community service events.

This campaign, held in conjunction with Community Banking Month and Financial Literacy Month, allows bankers not only to further engage with local businesses and organizations, but celebrate the work they do each day in equipping their community members for financial success. Whether it be volunteering with a local non-profit or taking part in National Teach Children to Save Day on Thursday, April 28, bankers have time and time again shown diligence and creativity in their efforts to connect with and empower individuals across the state.

In 2021, over 70 banks across Wisconsin participated in WBA’s Power of Community Week and reported over 2,700 volunteer hours. This remarkable achievement encompasses the dedication and compassion WBA members have for their neighbors. While I understand bankers’ commitment to serving their communities is a year-round practice, I invite you to participate in one or more service events during April to showcase your efforts in empowering members of your community.

During the campaign and continuing after it ends, WBA will highlight your hard work to show the ongoing commitment displayed by Wisconsin’s banking industry. If you know how you’ll be participating in Power of Community Week or want inspiration, visit wisbank.com/BanksPowerWI to share your plan and be added to our state map! Please contact WBA’s Lori Kalscheuer at lkalscheuer@wisbank.com with any questions.

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Springing Into Community Involvement

Ken Thompson HeadshotBy Kenneth D. Thompson

April is a busy month for community bankers in Wisconsin. Between Community Banking Month and Financial Literacy Month, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) and its non-profit arm, the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF), are looking forward to providing bankers throughout the state with opportunities to further strengthen our commitment to every member of our communities.

Teach Children to Save Day is approaching on Thursday, April 28. This campaign highlights the value of teaching kids the importance of financial literacy. To facilitate this campaign in Wisconsin, WBF is once again distributing over 2,500 free books and resources for WBA-member banks to use as they engage with the youngest members of their communities. You can help support this program — along with many other financial education projects — with a tax-deductible donation to WBF. To learn more, visit wisbankfoundation.org or contact Hannah Flanders.

I am excited to see how our bankers’ creativity and dedication to financial responsibility shines yet again this year. As always, you are encouraged to share your efforts in improving financial literacy with WBF as part of both Teach Children to Save Day and other educational events you take part in. Visit wisbankfoundation.org/education to submit a presentation form recording your efforts between June 1, 2021 and May 31, 2022.

This year also marks the fifth annual WBA Power of Community Week. Member banks are encouraged to participate, during the week of April 18–23, in one or more community service activities. This effort highlights the Wisconsin banking industry’s long-standing commitment to the communities in our state. If you are looking for ways to get involved this year, would like to share your plans to be included on the interactive map, or to learn more about WBA’s plans, please visit wisbank.com/BanksPowerWI.

Whether it be through promoting the importance of financial literacy or volunteering at shelters, food pantries, or non-profit organizations, the month of April presents the perfect opportunity to showcase your bank’s involvement in making Wisconsin the exceptional state that it is. Your efforts, especially in the last two years, have not gone unnoticed and are deeply appreciated by your community. We thank those bankers who have continually gone above and beyond to lend a helping hand to others.

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Gearing Up for Power of Community Week, April 18–23

Every year, bankers, WBA Associate Members, and WBA staff look forward to getting out into their communities for a week that shows our collective impact in a meaningful way. While we know that the banking industry is committed to serving Wisconsin communities throughout the year, the Power of Community Week is a major highlight that demonstrates to the public our ongoing commitment to those local communities.

The 2022 WBA Power of Community Week will take place April 18–23, 2022 and will be followed by National Teach Children to Save Day on April 28, 2022. Activities in late April and early May still count toward a bank’s participation in the WBA Power of Community Week. Examples of participation in the WBA Power of Community Week include volunteering at nursing homes, hosting shredding events at the bank, running a food drive, or giving financial literacy presentations in K–12 classrooms (including virtual presentations). We invite all members to participate in this effort to show how much Wisconsin’s banking industry supports the communities in our state.

Create team spirit by ordering Power of Community t-shirts for your company! The shirts feature the campaign logo and hashtag (#BanksPowerWI). A company logo may also be added to the back of the t-shirts. T-shirt orders are due March 1, 2022.

Visit www.wisbank.com/BanksPowerWI to

  • order t-shirts,
  • designate a Power of Community Week contact for your organization, and
  • let WBA know about your planned activities, so they can be added to the interactive map of activities statewide.

We look forward to an impactful week of serving the communities we are proud to call home!

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questions@wisbank.com

608-441-1200

4721 S Biltmore Ln.
Madison, WI 53718

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