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Graduating students throwing graduation caps into air in celebration
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Congratulations to the May BankWork$ Graduates!

In partnership with Employ Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is proud to bring the nationwide BankWork$ program to Wisconsin. BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training program to prepare participants — primarily individuals from under-resourced communities — for retail banking careers. Upon graduation, each class then takes part in a hiring event featuring BankWork$ employer partners.

In May, a class of seven students — including Melissa Trotter, Loren Gonzalez, Sandra Uscanga, Gabe Wheeler, Daniel Freman, Mary Castro, and Mariia “Masha” Korbin — graduated from the program. WBA’s Rose Oswald Poels attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on their achievement.

Over the course of the eight-week program, students learned the heard and soft skills necessary for entry-level retail and operations positions. Beginning in 2019, the program has now provided over 130 individuals in the Milwaukee area with the opportunity to begin a career in banking.

Pictured (from left to right): Oscar Delgado, BankWork$ Career Navigator; Melissa Trotter, Loren Gonzalez; Sandra Uscanga; Gabe Wheeler (back row), WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels; Adriene Wright, BankWork$ instructor (back row); Daniel Freman; Mary Castro, and Mariia “Masha” Korbin.

To learn more about the program, or how your bank can get involved, please visit employmilwaukee.org/BankWorks.htm.

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Graduating students throwing graduation caps into air in celebration
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Congratulations to the March BankWork$ Graduates!

In partnership with Employ Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is proud to bring the nationwide BankWork$ program to Wisconsin. BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training program to prepare participants — primarily individuals from under-resourced communities — for retail banking careers. Upon graduation, each class then takes part in a hiring event featuring BankWork$ employer partners.

In March, a class of six students — including Yazmin Franco Luna, Timesha Gray, Alesha Hodges, Shatyea Patterson, Mariana Simas, and Chapa Wijendra — graduated from the program. WBA’s Rose Oswald Poels attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on their achievement.

Pictured (left to right) are: Adriene Wright, BankWork$ instructor; Alesha Hodges; Timesha Gray; Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO; Yazmin Franco Luna; Mariana Simas; Chapa Wijendra; and Shatyea Patterson.

Over the course of the eight-week program, students learned the heard and soft skills necessary for entry-level retail and operations positions. Beginning in 2019, the program has now provided over 130 individuals in the Milwaukee area with the opportunity to begin a career in banking.

To learn more about the program, or how your bank can get involved, please visit employmilwaukee.org/BankWorks.htm.

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Graduating students throwing graduation caps into air in celebration
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Congratulations to the December BankWork$ Graduates!

In partnership with Employ Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is proud to bring the nationwide BankWork$ program to Wisconsin. BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training program to prepare participants — primarily individuals from under-resourced communities — for retail banking careers. Upon graduation, each class then takes part in a hiring event featuring BankWork$ employer partners.

In December, a class of 12 students — including Emilia Blackwell- Brewer, Joseph Bump, Jarell Bustos, Courtlyn Ellis, Tytiana Harris, Sravanthi Kakarla, Dennis Lara, Edwin Martinez Dolores, Elizabeth Miller, Umika Miller, LeAnn Shields, and Lily Smith — graduated from the program. WBA’s Rose Oswald Poels attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on their achievement.

Standing, back row (left to right) are: Oscar Delgado, Employ Milwaukee career navigator; Jarell Bustos; Emilia Blackwell-Brewer; and Dennis Lara. Standing, middle row (left to right) are: Adriene Wright, BankWork$ instructor; Sravanthi Kakarla; Umika Miller; Elizabeth Miller; Edwin Martinez Dolores; Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO; and Jovo Potkonjak, BankWork$ program manager. Seated, front row (left to right) are: Courtlyn Ellis; Lily Smith; Joseph Bump; Tytiana Harris; and LeAnn Shields.

Over the course of the eight-week program, students learned the heard and soft skills necessary for entry-level retail and operations positions. Beginning in 2019, the program has now provided over 130 individuals in the Milwaukee area with the opportunity to begin a career in banking.

To learn more about the program, or how your bank can get involved, please visit employmilwaukee.org/BankWorks.htm.

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Graduating students throwing graduation caps into air in celebration
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Congratulations to the August 2023 BankWork$ Graduates!

Seated, pictured (left to right) are: JaQuiondia Banks; Adriene Wright, BankWork$ instructor; Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. Standing, pictured (left to right) are: Canaan Henry, Isha Underwood, Clarence Williams, Zantaisha Miller, Sharifah Warren, TeRina McKinzy, and Jovo Potkonjak, BankWork$ program manager.

The August BankWork$ class has now graduated! The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is proud to partner with Employ Milwaukee to bring this nationwide program to Wisconsin. BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training program to prepare participants in primarily underserved neighborhoods for retail banking careers.

This graduating class of seven included JaQuiondia Banks, Canaan Henry, TeRina McKinzy, Zantaisha Miller, Isha Underwood, Sharifah Warren, and Clarence Williams. WBA’s Rose Oswald Poels attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on their achievement.

Over the eight weeks, these students learned the hard and soft skills necessary for entry-level retail and operations positions. The program began in 2019 and has so far provided more than over 100 graduates in the Milwaukee area the opportunity to begin a career in banking.

Thank you to the following banks for sponsoring this program:

  • Associated Bank, Green Bay
  • Bank Five Nine, Oconomowoc
  • BMO Harris
  • First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, Waukesha
  • Johnson Financial Group, Milwaukee
  • Old National Bank
  • Spring Bank, Brookfield
  • The Equitable Bank, Wauwatosa
  • Town Bank, N.A., Hartland
  • WaterStone Bank, Milwaukee
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Introducing FLEX: Retail and Marketing Summit

The newly rebranded event kicks off on November 15

In 2013, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) brought together retail, sales, marketing, and financial literacy bankers in Wisconsin for its first annual LEAD360 Conference. The event — which focused specifically on education, networking, and idea sharing — has provided thousands of bankers with the opportunity to connect with their peers, learn from industry experts, and return to office with action items. As the event approaches its tenth year, and the banking industry continues to undergo significant development, LEAD360 has now been rebranded as the FLEX: Retail and Marketing Summit.

“In today’s fast paced retail and marketing world, it is only appropriate that the Association continues to provide resources and highlight the efforts of bankers who work diligently to assist their bank in remaining up-to-date and relevant,” stated Miranda Gustafson, WBA assistant director – education. “Although the name has changed, the Summit continues to connect attendees with opportunities to expand their networks, exchange ideas, and deepen their understanding of various industry trends and innovations.”

A familiar face at many WBA events, Lisa Lyon will be attending her eighth FLEX Summit in 2023. Having served in various retail and marketing-support positions since beginning her tenure at Pillar Bank, Baldwin in 2013, Lyon finds significant value in the connections she has had the opportunity to foster and new ideas she has been able to introduce to the bank.

“Every year, WBA’s FLEX Summit provides several general sessions focused on particular, big ideas related to retail and marketing,” highlights Lyon. “These sessions are often complemented by additional round table discussions and peer networking sessions in which attendees have an opportunity to discuss various topics in greater detail, or dive into other ideas. To me, this is the most valuable aspect of the annual event, and why I — and many of my colleagues — return year after year.”

Gustafson notes that attendees can expect over eight hours of presentations — including general and breakout sessions — as well as ample time to network with exhibitors and bankers from across the state during the two-day event. The Summit will kick off in Wisconsin Dells on the morning of November 15 and adjourn at noon the following day.

In addition to attending the annual event, Lyon — who now serves as vice president – treasury management director — is actively involved with the WBF Financial Literacy Advisory Board. The Advisory Board, representing bankers involved with promoting financial literacy and capability throughout their communities, is charged with aiding WBA staff in the planning and organization of the financial literacy track during the Summit.

“Financial literacy often falls to a bank’s retail and marketing team, so tying financial education-focused components into an event like FLEX ensures that bankers who wear many hats are able to make the most out of their time away from their desks,” says Lyon.

Sales, marketing, and retail-focused bankers will also benefit from tracks planned in conjunction with the WBA Retail and Marketing Committees.

In addition to more than a day’s worth of sessions, the FLEX Summit will also feature two award ceremonies during a breakfast program on November 16. The first, which is presented by the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation, will recognize the efforts of bankers involved with financial education in Wisconsin communities from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.

The second award ceremony — a new addition to FLEX in 2023 — will recognize one member bank that demonstrated an innovative marketing campaign between August 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023. Submissions for the inaugural WBA Marketing Award are now being accepted at wisbank.com/MarketingExcellence through Saturday, September 30.

Lyon underscores that FLEX is the perfect opportunity for bankers of all levels to get involved. “So much good comes out of events like FLEX. From broadening your knowledge to fostering connections statewide, new and experienced bankers are sure to leave motivated and inspired for the year ahead.”

Learn More and Register Now
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Graduating students throwing graduation caps into air in celebration
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Congratulations to the June 2023 BankWork$ Graduates!

Front row, pictured (left to right) are: Jackie Day, Sash’a Brown, Darin Bowie, and Ariauna Blountt. Second row, pictured (left to right) are: Nyia Gordon, Che’Nae Gardiner, Amara Farmer, and Dianne Diaz-Perez. Third row, pictured (left to right) are: LaQuisha Meek, Jarnay Martin, Anna Jackson, and Danielle Griffin, Fourth row, pictured (left to right) are: Yevhen Stanishevskyi, Michelle Williams, and Denise Pinkey. Standing (left to right) are: WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels and CareerWork$ Program Manager Dion Willis.

The June BankWork$ class has now graduated! The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is proud to partner with Employ Milwaukee to bring this nationwide program to Wisconsin. BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training program to prepare participants in primarily underserved neighborhoods for retail banking careers.

This graduating class of 15 included Ariauna Blountt, Darin Bowie, Sash’a Brown, Jackie Day, Dianne Diaz-Perez, Amara Farmer, Che’Nae Gardiner, Nyia Gordon, Danielle Griffin, Anna Jackson, Jarnay Martin, LaQuisha Meek, Denise Pinkey, Yevhen Stanishevskyi, and Michelle Williams. WBA’s Rose Oswald Poels attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on their achievement.

Over the eight weeks, these students learned the hard and soft skills necessary for entry-level retail and operations positions. The program began in 2019 and has so far provided more than over 100 graduates in the Milwaukee area the opportunity to begin a career in banking.

Thank you to the following banks for sponsoring this program:

  • Associated Bank, Green Bay
  • Bank Five Nine, Oconomowoc
  • BMO Harris
  • First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, Waukesha
  • Johnson Financial Group, Milwaukee
  • Old National Bank
  • Spring Bank, Brookfield
  • The Equitable Bank, Wauwatosa
  • Town Bank, N.A., Hartland
  • WaterStone Bank, Milwaukee
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Graduating students throwing graduation caps into air in celebration
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Congratulations to the March BankWork$ Graduates!

Pictured (left to right) are: Deja Harris- Smith, Kaprisha Greer, Edgar Martinez Santiago, Destiny Echols, Azarea Glosson, Rose Oswald Poels, Elizabeth Medina, Diarelis Rodriguez, Soaad Abdallah, and Coey Brown.

The March BankWork$ class has now graduated! The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is proud to partner with Employ Milwaukee to bring this nationwide program to Wisconsin. BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training program to prepare participants in primarily underserved neighborhoods for retail banking careers.

This graduating class of 9 included Soaad Abdallah, Coey Brown, Destiny Echols, Azarea Glosson, Kaprisha Greer, Deja Harris-Smith, Edgar Martinez Santiago, and Elizabeth Medina. WBA’s Rose Oswald Poels attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on their achievement.

Over the eight weeks, these students learned the hard and soft skills necessary for entry-level retail and operations positions. The program began in 2019 and has so far provided more than over 100 graduates in the Milwaukee area the opportunity to begin a career in banking.

Thank you to the following banks for sponsoring this program:

  • Associated Bank, Green Bay
  • Bank Five Nine, Oconomowoc
  • BMO Harris
  • First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, Waukesha
  • Johnson Financial Group, Milwaukee
  • Old National Bank
  • Spring Bank, Brookfield
  • The Equitable Bank, Wauwatosa
  • Town Bank, N.A., Hartland
  • WaterStone Bank, Milwaukee
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Fake Check Scams Posing as IRA Proceeds

By Dave Oldenburg

Financial institutions have reported incidents where a new or seasoned customer is instructed to open an IRA account, with a fake check, disguised as a rollover. Criminals who orchestrate these crimes hope that front lines staff will be fooled into believing that IRA accounts are not typically associated with fraud. Unfortunately, this type of fake check scam has gained traction and has the potential to inflict substantial losses when not detected early. Although some account holders are aware that they are negotiating a fake check, others do not realize that they are being manipulated as part of a relationship or similar fraud scheme.

How Does the Scam Work?

Similar to other fake check schemes, the purpose is to falsely inflate the balance of an account and withdraw funds as quickly as possible. Funds are often transferred internally, followed by outgoing wires, BillPay, or other electronic payment methods, before the check is returned unpaid.

How Do I Spot a Fake IRA Check Scheme?

It is important to note that criminals generally use accurate information from compromised accounts such as a bank’s ABA, account number, and approximate check range to create and distribute the checks. Some may go further and use convincing check stock, bearing a quality signature of an authorized signer to increase the likelihood that the check will be negotiated.

With that in mind, it’s important to recognize common red flag indicators associated with this type of fraud:

  • The check is made payable to an individual. As a rule of thumb, legitimate Traditional and Roth IRA rollover checks are generally made payable to the financial institution, for benefit of (FBO) the account holder
  • The check doesn’t appear to be drawn on a qualified retirement plan. Many fake checks are drawn on a law firm, cashier’s check or what appears to be a general business operating account.
  • The check is sent directly to the branch by an unknown third party with instructions to deposit the check into a new or existing IRA
  • A memo line with vague instructions to deposit the check into an IRA account
  • The customer seems concerned when funds will be made available
  • The account holder wants to disburse funds shortly after the account was opened

When in doubt, it’s best not to accept the check and follow your bank’s procedures on suspicious account activity.

Oldenburg is a fraud officer, Bank First, Manitowoc and member of the WBA Financial Crimes Committee.

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Graduating students throwing graduation caps into air in celebration
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Congratulations to the November BankWork$ Graduates!

Seated (left to right) are: Kimberly Peoples, Jonathan Chestnut, Maiue Lee, and Adriene Wright. Standing (left to right) are: WBA’s Daryll Lund, Jose Valdehuesa, Joseph Lacey, Josefina Rauda De Stetzer, Diondra Cheese, Aaliyah Sanders, Jeaneams Calderon, Smita Inamdar, Fatuma Shale, Amy Sundberg, Negeli Nsabaka, and Jovo Potkonjak.

The November BankWork$ class has now graduated! The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is proud to partner with Employ Milwaukee to bring this nationwide program to Wisconsin. BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training program to prepare participants in primarily underserved neighborhoods for retail banking careers.

This graduating class of 13 included Jeaneams Calderon, Diondra Cheese, Jonathan Chestnut, Smita Inamdar, Joseph Lacey, Maiue Lee, Negeli Nsabaka, Kimberly Peoples, Josefina Rauda De Stetzer, Aaliyah Sanders, Fatuma Shale, Amy Sundberg, and Jose Valdehuesa. WBA’s Daryll Lund attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on their achievement.

Over the eight weeks, these students learned the hard and soft skills necessary for entry-level retail and operations positions. The program began in 2019 and has so far provided more than over 100 graduates in the Milwaukee area the opportunity to begin a career in banking.

Thank you to the following banks for sponsoring this program:

  • Associated Bank, Green Bay
  • Bank Five Nine, Oconomowoc
  • First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, Waukesha
  • First Midwest Bank, Milwaukee
  • Johnson Financial Group
  • PyraMax Bank, Greenfield
  • Spring Bank, Brookfield
  • The Equitable Bank, Wauwatosa
  • Waterstone Bank, Milwaukee
  • Wells Fargo
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Bank On Greater Milwaukee Empowers Families Statewide

Over three years of connecting consumers to financial services and products

By Hannah Flanders

From youth to formerly incarcerated individuals reentering society, Bank On has helped in connecting thousands of underbanked individuals with financial services across the state. Since the launch in 2019, Bank On Greater Milwaukee — a local coalition of the national Bank On movement — has assisted more than a dozen financial institutions in certifying specific accounts that comply with the standards set by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund).

What is Bank On?

Across the country, Bank On has led financial institutions of all sizes to connect with individuals who lack a banking relationship. By identifying barriers to opening and sustaining healthy accounts, Bank On has not only connected more individuals than ever with banking services, but also helped promote safe and appropriate accounts in mainstream financial institutions. In the greater Milwaukee area, the Bank On initiative has specifically targeted its focus on local youth, first-time job seekers, and families with disabilities in gaining access to financial services.

“Our goal as an organization is to assist financial institutions in establishing the initial relationship with unbanked individuals,” states Constance Alberts, program director at Bank On Greater Milwaukee. “By laying the foundation for our community members to build wealth and reach their goals, these customers are able to move to the next level — taking out loans or mortgaging a new house. This first step builds confidence and trust — an important aspect of maintaining loyalty well into the future.”

In partnering with Bank On, banks have the opportunity to be advocates for underserved groups and the ability to connect them with the appropriate services and products for their unique situations.

Bank On’s Impact in Wisconsin

In October, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) released its biennial National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households. The 2021 survey demonstrated a decrease throughout the country in unbanked individuals. In Wisconsin, the unbanked population represented only 2% of the over 5.8 million residents in the state.

This encouraging total is further underscored by the 4% decrease in unbanked individuals throughout the greater Milwaukee area since the previous survey in 2019.

As Bank On expands into the greater Milwaukee community — with numerous institutions offering products and accounts and even more institutions seeking certification — Cheryll Olson-Collins, secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), emphasizes the importance of financial soundness in Wisconsin’s communities.

“Being ‘banked’ isn’t just an adjective; it is, in fact, a critical component of financial stability. Having and using a basic checking account both facilitates critical everyday transactions, and at the same time provides a core foundation for other financial successes.”

Why Bank On?

With a mission to connect consumers to safe, affordable bank accounts, Bank On provides a unique opportunity for banks looking to support members of their communities.

“By joining the growing number of Bank On Greater Milwaukee partners, banks will engage with the community in new ways, reach new unbanked or underbanked customers and bring them into the financial mainstream while supporting Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) efforts,” highlights Olson- Collins. “Bank On partners play a critical role in making it possible for people to access the financial mainstream and spearheading a more inclusive financial system.”

Currently, Bank On Greater Milwaukee has 52 members, which include various community-based organizations, financial institutions, government partners, and network partners. Additionally, over 165 individuals are part of the coalition’s network.

Heather MacKinnon, WBA vice president – legal and member of the Bank On Greater Milwaukee leadership team, states that the connections made available through the coalition are one of the greatest resources available for bankers seeking to support their community — even if they are outside of Milwaukee County.

“It is impressive how the community participants and financial institutions involved with Bank On Greater Milwaukee work to connect persons with a need for safe, low-cost banking products with banks that offer a certified Bank On account,” she says. “It is a helpful tool for banks working on their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to partner with their local community groups working on similar missions of financial empowerment.”

How to Get Involved

While Wisconsin’s sole Bank On coalition is currently based in and only serves residents of Milwaukee County, banks throughout Wisconsin have the ability to get involved.

“With so much work to be done in granting unbanked individuals access [to safe financial services,] it is impossible to tackle alone,” said Alberts. “It is critical that financial institutions throughout the state acknowledge where there is a need for safe, affordable banking and promote what is good in their communities.”

In addition to connecting Milwaukee-area residents to certified, safe, and low-cost products, the Bank On Greater Milwaukee initiative aims to support consumer financial education throughout the state and assist financial institutions in recognizing the need in their communities.

Community involvement, according to Alberts, is a significant way that banks can begin serving the low- to moderate income members of their communities and is a pipeline for additional benefits for both the consumer and the financial institution. Bankers looking to get involved with Bank On Greater Milwaukee, learn more about the coalition, or certify an account with the CFE Fund should visit bankonmilwaukee.org.

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608-441-1200

4721 S Biltmore Ln.
Madison, WI 53718

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