March/April 2024 Wisconsin Banker

Wisconsin Banker

Showcasing Careers in Banking

By Hannah Flanders

Most people do not grow up dreaming of a career in banking. In fact, many of today’s bankers look back on their paths that led them to the industry as a “happy accident.” However, with large numbers of retirees leaving the workforces every year and evolution caused by technology, regulation, and customer expectations reshaping the industry, banks across Wisconsin are hoping to inspire and cultivate a new generation of aspiring professionals who see the banking industry as an exciting and rewarding career choice.

“We have to build our bankers from the younger generation,” emphasizes Kari Davis, chief talent officer at Lake Ridge Bank in Madison. “Students don’t know what they don’t see; it is our role to demonstrate to them the business of banking and why our teams feel so passionate about their work.”

Starting Young

For Gwen Schnitzler and the team at Forward Bank, Marshfield, introducing banking as a career opportunity to students long before their high school graduation is a priority.

“Interacting with high schoolers is the greatest way to ‘get into the minds’ of local students,” said Schnitzler, vice president – human resources. “As a bank, we want them to know of the opportunities present in our industry. As a community bank, we want them to know these opportunities are available here in their hometown.”

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program has helped banks across the state connect with high school juniors and seniors exploring different career paths. The program — which features pathways related to finance/banking, marketing, and business administration — combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training.

Through the YA program, banks, including Forward Bank and Lake Ridge Bank, have found great benefit in introducing students to the careers available to them with hands-on experience. Both Davis and Schnitzler note that YA’s defined paths make it easy for banks to facilitate the most relevant and meaningful experience for both the student and the team. So much so that several apprentices who started at either bank went on to study finance, or another banking-related area, in college and later returned to the same institution for full-time employment.

In addition to apprenticeship opportunities, many banks across the state utilize internships to connect with students in both high school and college. While these opportunities may look different depending on the size and location of the bank, one thing is certain — to keep students engaged, it is important that their work allows them to exercise and expand their skillset. Finding unique ways for students to contribute directly to the institution may just be the difference between a résumé builder and the beginning of a fulfilling career.

“Whether they are students working as apprentices or interns, these individuals aren’t focused on filing and scanning. Our goal is to demonstrate the full experience of what it means to be a banker — operating in a professional environment, getting into the community, meeting with clients. . . that’s what they really want to see and experience,” highlights Davis.

Continued on pg. 19

Over 80 students attended a Careers in Banking panel discussion on February 20, 2024 at UW–Whitewater.

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 chair of the 2023–2024 WBA Board of Directors.

What Does the New BOI Reporting Rule Mean for Banks?

By Scott Birrenkott

As of January 1 of this year, many companies must report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) (referred to as the BOI reporting rule) as part of implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Reporting companies include most corporations, limited liability companies, or others created by the filing of documents with Wisconsin. This information must be reported directly to FinCEN through its online reporting portal. The Wisconsin Bankers Association is often asked: what does this mean for banks? For example, are banks required to ensure their customers report accurate information? In some respects, the answer is this rule doesn’t mean anything for banks. There’s a little more to the conversation than that, though.

When talking about the new BOI reporting rule, it’s important to make a distinction from FinCEN’s other reporting rule: the Customer Due Diligence (CDD) rule. The CDD rule became effective in 2018 and requires banks to identify and verify the identity of beneficial owners of legal entity

customers. In short, it requires banks to collect a certification of beneficial ownership for certain companies. The CDD rule and BOI reporting rule are separate. The CDD rule has not changed since 2018, and the BOI reporting rule places no additional obligations upon banks. Meaning banks are not required to ensure their customers report under the BOI rule or verify the accuracy of that information. However, banks must continue to meet the requirements of the CDD rule.

Thus, if customers have questions regarding their BOI reporting requirements, they should be directed to FinCEN for further information. FinCEN maintains a variety of helpful resources on its website to help companies understand who must report, what they must report, when, and how. Additionally, WBA has created resources for banks to further understand the differences between the rules, as well as customer facing resources to better help banks work with companies who might have questions for them. These resources can be found on the WBA website.

Lastly, there is a third rule worth discussing as part of this conversation. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the BOI reporting rule is part of FinCEN’s efforts to implement requirements mandated by the CTA. As part of this implementation, FinCEN issued a third rule in 2022, in addition to those discussed above, often referred to as the Access Rule. The Access Rule prescribes the circumstances under which BOI reported to FinCEN may be disclosed to authorized BOI recipients, and how it must be protected. The Access Rule does not create a new regulatory requirement for banks to access BOI from the system or a supervisory expectation that they do so. The prudential federal regulatory agencies issued joint guidance in December of 2023 stating this fact.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above rules, please contact WBA legal at wbalegal@wisbank. com or call us at 608-441-1200.

Birrenkott is WBA director – legal.

WBA Comments on CFPB’s Proposal to Implement Section 1033

Comment letters are an excellent opportunity for the banking industry to inform the federal agencies about the impact of rulemaking and provide examples. Recently, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) filed comments on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposal to implement Section 1033, regarding personal financial data rights. The proposal would require data providers (such as banks) to make certain data available to consumers and authorized third parties. It would also establish

obligations for third parties accessing a consumer’s data, including privacy protections for that data, provide basic standards for data access, and is designed to promote fair, open, and inclusive industry standards.

WBA commented with several changes, suggestions, and requests for clarification. WBA also discussed sole responsibility for data access should not lie alone with banks. Additional discussion included a request to broaden the risk and fraud management principles, such

as conditions for denying access to data, concerns with various covered data points as proposed, and recommendations for clarifications among certain exceptions.

View this and previous comment letters filed by WBA at wisbank. com/CommentLetters.

Advocacy Update

By Lorenzo Cruz

The Wisconsin Bankers Association’s government relations team is having a spectacular 2023–2024 legislative session so far. Defying the odds, the government relations team passed a historic income tax exemption for banks on income earned from business or agricultural purpose loans of $5 million or less. This monumental achievement was a top state budget priority and the first step towards tax parity with credit unions. The new law is the first of its kind nationally and is the envy of other states, serving as a model for the rest of the country to follow. Many of the members will begin to see the benefits of that arduous work this year.

The Legislature is expected to conclude its work in March and send all remaining bills approved to Governor Tony Evers in early April for him to sign into law or veto. Two more of WBA’s priorities, financial institutions modernization (AB 715/SB 773) and the trust code update (AB 803/SB 759) were approved by the Legislature and are awaiting the Governor’s signature. On the other hand, the elder fraud prevention bill (AB 578/SB 628) remained stuck in the Senate Financial

Institutions and Sporting Heritage Committee as of this writing, despite passing unanimously on the Assembly floor on a bi-partisan voice vote.

The privacy bill (AB 466/SB 642) with a Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act exemption for financial institutions and its affiliates and the environmental, social, and governance (ESG)/fair access bills (AB 719/SB 681, AB 722/SB 686) died in the committee process. As anticipated, there were no interchange fee bills introduced because of retailer vendor compensation provisions included in the state budget. Merchant category code (MCC) bills (AB 468/SB 466) emerged as a national issue, which found its way to Wisconsin too. The MCC bill was significantly amended to allow WBA to remain neutral on the legislation, which will likely not be signed by Governor Evers.

In February, over 210 bankers came to Madison for WBA’s Capitol Day, which is the Association’s most important day of advocacy at the State Capitol. The morning session started with a political pundits panel of two former state legislative leaders followed by a government relations briefing for attendees. During the lunch program, Governor Evers addressed the members

on issues of interest impacting the banking industry. After the Governor’s speech, the attendees departed for the State Capitol for meetings with their local legislators and staff. Legislators valued hearing from local bankers on issues impacting their districts.

With new legislative maps expected to be in place in April, legislators will focus their attention and efforts on the fall elections. While the GOP controls both houses with large margins, the size of those majorities is expected to shrink under the new maps. WBA will continue to monitor the upcoming races in the fall. WBA urges all bankers to remain engaged in the political process by contributing to the PAC or conduit or for member banks to make corporate contributions to the issue advocacy fund. It is crucial to continue to support WBA’s allies and elect pro-banking/probusiness candidates.

Lastly, thank you to all the members for your grassroots and financial support of WBA’s advocacy efforts. With your strong commitment, WBA’s voice is heard and stands above the rest.

• Agricultural Bankers Section Board

Volunteer Your Expertise

See firsthand how your ideas, insight, and connections can leave a lasting impact on Wisconsin’s evolving banking landscape. By serving as a committee, section, or advisory board member, you help tailor WBA’s programs, advocacy efforts, and resources. Volunteer at

• Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT) Section Board

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group

• Financial Crimes Committee

• FIPCO® Software Users’ Committee

• Government Relations Committee

• Human Resources Committee

• Marketing Committee

• Mortgage Lending Committee

• Retail Banking Committee

• Technology and Operations Committee

• Trust Banking Section Board

• Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Financial Literacy Advisory Board

Cruz is WBA vice president – government relations.

Thank You, Advocacy Supporters!

As part of the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) mission to support bankers in Wisconsin, advocacy — at both the state and federal level — plays an important role in the work the team does each day. Thank you to the following individuals who have shown their support of the banking industry and the Association’s legislative priorities by making a contribution to the Alliance of Bankers for Wisconsin (ABW) political conduit, Wisbankpac, or the WBA issue advocacy fund.

Gold Triangle 2023

Recognizes banks with officers, directors, and employees who aggregately contribute a minimum amount to the Alliance of Bankers for Wisconsin (ABW) political conduit or Wisbankpac.

American National Bank – Fox Cities; Associated Bank; Bank Five Nine; Bank of Brodhead; Bank of Sun Prairie; Bank of Wisconsin Dells, Bankers' Bank; Bluff View Bank; Bristol Morgan Bank; Capitol Bank; Citizens First Bank; Citizens State Bank; Cumberland Federal Bank, F.S.B.; East Wisconsin Savings Bank; First Business Bank; First Citizens State Bank; Fortifi Bank; Forward Bank; Horicon Bank; Lake Ridge Bank; Marathon Bank; Mound City Bank; National Exchange Bank & Trust; North Shore Bank, FSB; Johnson Bank; Northwestern Bank; Oak Bank; Oostburg State Bank; Premier Community Bank; Security Financial Bank; Security State Bank; Superior Savings Bank; The Equitable Bank, SSB; The Park Bank; The Peoples Community Bank; The Peshtigo National Bank; Port Washington State Bank; The Stephenson National Bank & Trust; Town Bank, N.A.; Waldo State Bank; Wisconsin Bankers Association; and Wolf River Community Bank.

Bankers

Involved with Grassroots and Government (BIGG) 2023

Recognizes banks that complete five out of seven criteria. The BIGG Award is the Association’s highest level of recognition for advocacy.

American National Bank – Fox Cities; Associated Bank; Bank Five Nine; Bank of Brodhead; Bank of Sun Prairie; Bank of Wisconsin Dells; Bristol Morgan Bank; Capitol Bank; Citizens First Bank; East Wisconsin Savings Bank; First Business Bank; First Citizens State Bank; First National Community Bank; Fortifi Bank; Horicon Bank; Johnson Bank; JP Morgan Chase Bank; Ladysmith Federal Savings and Loan Association; Mound City Bank; National Exchange Bank & Trust; North Shore Bank, FSB; Oostburg State Bank; Premier Community Bank; Royal Bank; Security Financial Bank; CBI Bank and Trust; Lake Ridge Bank; The Equitable Bank, SSB; The Park Bank; The Peoples Community Bank; The Stephenson National Bank & Trust; Town Bank, N.A.; U.S. Bank; Waldo State Bank; Wells Fargo; and Wolf River Community Bank.

Leadership Circle 2023

Recognizes individual bankers who have made a minimum contribution of $3,000 to any combination of the Alliance of Bankers for Wisconsin (ABW) political conduit or Wisbankpac.

Donna Hoppenjan, Mound City Bank

Scott Kopp, Bluff View Bank

Greg Lundberg, Fortifi Bank

Jay McKenna, North Shore Bank, FSB

Mark Meloy, First Business Bank

Rose Oswald Poels, Wisconsin Bankers Association

Thomas Pamperin, Premier Community Bank

Tim Rennes, Peshtigo National Bank

Silver Triangle 2023

Frederick Schwertfeger, Horicon Bank

Kenneth Thompson, Capitol Bank

John Utz, Associated Bank

Recognizes individual bankers who have made a minimum contribution of $1,000 to the Alliance of Bankers for Wisconsin (ABW) political conduit, Wisbankpac, and/or the WBA issue advocacy fund.

Paul Adamski, The Pineries Bank

Steve Arps, Fortifi Bank

Barry Brodbeck, Mound City Bank

Steven Brogley, Mound City Bank

James Caldwell, First Citizens State Bank

Brennen Clark, Peoples State Bank

Dennis Cooley, Mound City Bank

Lorenzo Cruz, Wisconsin Bankers Association

John Digman, Mound City Bank

Susan Doyle, North Shore Bank, FSB

Charles Dubois, First Citizens State Bank

Mark Forsythe, Peoples State Bank

Tyler Foti, Wisconsin Bankers Association

Eric Glewen, Oostburg State Bank

Robert Gorsuch, Oak Bank

John Halechko, Associated Bank

James Hegenbarth, Park Bank

Kelly Heroux, Peshtigo National Bank

Paul Hoffmann, Lake Ridge Bank

Shay Horton, Cumberland Federal Bank, F.S.B.

James Hutchison, Peoples State Bank

Gerald Jacobson, The Northwestern Bank

Daniel Jansen, Mound City Bank

James Jarocki, National Bank of Commerce

John Kaiser, Security Financial Bank

Ryan Kamphuis, Bristol Morgan Bank

Pamela Kelly, FIPCO

Dean Keyes, Mound City Bank

Keith Killen, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust

Joseph Kraemer, The Peoples Community Bank

Bruce Kroll, Mound City Bank

Gary Kuter, Capitol Bank

Scott Liske, East Wisconsin Savings Bank

Dennis Long, American National Bank – Fox Cities

Daryll Lund, Wisconsin Bankers Association

John Matter, The Equitable Bank, SSB

Jim Mayo, Security Financial Bank

James McKenna, North Shore Bank, FSB

Ryan McMurtrie, American National Bank – Fox Cities

Robert McPherson, Peoples State Bank

Thomas Mews, First National Community Bank

Matt Morony, Citizens Bank

Cindy Nierode, Port Washington State Bank

Paul Northway, American National Bank – Fox Cities

Greg Ogren, Security State Bank

Scott Ogren, Security State Bank

Craig O'Leary, Bank of Brodhead

Michael Olson, Bank of Brodhead

Thomas Olson, Bankers' Bank

Joseph Peikert, Wolf River Community Bank

Andrew Petersen, Park Bank

Daniel Peterson, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust

James Popp, Johnson Financial Group

Jennifer Provancher, The Equitable Bank, SSB

Timothy Purman, Forte Bank

Bradley Reitzner, Mound City Bank

Roger Retzlaff, Wolf River Community Bank

Larry Rice, American National Bank – Fox Cities

Scott Rockwell, Bank of Wisconsin Dells

Jennifer Roudebush, Associated Bank

Greg Salmen, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust

Thomas Sattler. The Equitable Bank, SSB

Charles Schmalz, East Wisconsin Savings Bank

Steven Schowalter, Port Washington State Bank

David Seiler, BMO Harris Bank, N.A.

William Sennholz, Forward Bank

Brad Stamper, Bankers' Bank

Laurie Stupak, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust

John Thayer, Associated Bank

Dean Trout, North Shore Bank, FSB

James Tubbs, Lake Ridge Bank

Brandon Wegner, Bank of Wisconsin Dells

Jacob Weinand, Forward Bank

Clark Yolitz, Dairy State Bank

Each Bank Is Unique … Your Counsel Should Be Too

There are 4,614 banks in the country.1

The breadth of issues facing those banks vary greatly, as do the resources each bank has at its disposal. Community bankers deserve legal counsel that takes into account the specific needs, goals and ambitions of each individual bank – counsel that consistently delivers sophisticated, yet practical legal advice tailored to your particular situation.

While we work with dozens of community banks throughout the country, and can leverage that

Melissa Y. Lanska

414.298.8706

mlanska@reinhartlaw.com reinhartlaw.com

experience and perspective for you, we understand that the challenges and opportunities facing your bank are frequently unique to you.

At Reinhart, our dedicated attorneys function as a seamless extension of your management team, working alongside you to help solve even the most complex situations facing your financial institution. In many instances, it’s not just providing legal advice, but leveraging our network of contacts to serve your needs. It’s what we call Partnering in Possibilities™.

The Oldest, Currently Operating Banks in Wisconsin

Top 10 oldest banks in Wisconsin

1874, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Marinette

1874, Associated Bank, Green Bay

1876, Fortifi Bank, Berlin

1857, Baraboo State Bank

1858, State Bank Financial, La Crosse

1861, Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, Columbus

1859, Bank Five Nine, Oconomowoc

1871, Community First Bank, Boscobel

1863, PremierBank, Fort Atkinson

1863, First Citizens State Bank, Whitewater

Previous names of the banks

1857: (formerly The Baraboo National Bank)

1858: (formerly Bank of Sparta)

1859: (formerly Bank of Oconomowoc)

1863: (formerly The First Citizens State Bank of Whitewater, Wisconsin)

1863: (formerly The First National Bank of Fort Atkinson)

1871: (formerly Boscobel State Bank)

1874: (formerly Kellogg-Citizens National Bank of Green Bay)

1876: (formerly The First National Bank of Berlin)

WBA to Host Second Annual FinTech Showcase

Innovation and flexibility of products and services are two of the most important ways in which banks across Wisconsin are able to remain relevant and competitive in their communities. Digitalization is no longer an exception; it is an expectation of customers young and old. As such, many banks have found great benefit in partnering with FinTech providers to expand and streamline their offerings across digital platforms.

On April 15, 2024, the Wisconsin Bankers Association will host a FinTech Showcase at Glacier Canyon Lodge & Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells to help facilitate connections between bankers and the vendors providing applicable solutions. As the second annual event, the FinTech Showcase is the optimal opportunity for WBAmember banks to begin considering the ways in which strategic partnerships with FinTech providers may impact the banks efficiencies.

Charles Potts of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) will open the one-day showcase with a session exploring the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in the banking industry. In addition to an exhibit hall of vendors, attendees will have the opportunity to watch up to eight live FinTech demonstrations. These 20-minute presentations will help bankers better understand the

service available and begin to envision how their bank may benefit. Details regarding the 2024 live demos will be announced in March.

As the industry continues to evolve, bankers are encouraged to remain abreast of solutions related to the industry. To assist teams in taking full advantage of the event, banks that register two banker attendees will receive free registration — including all meals and sessions — for a third banker. Learn more and register your team now by visiting wisbank.com/FinTech.

2023 inaugural FinTech Showcase

Bank Executives Conference

February 7–9 l Kalahari Resort & Convention Center l Wisconsin Dells

WBA Members “Inspire” the Future

In February, over 500 attendees gathered for WBA’s annual Bank Executives Conference. As the state’s largest banking event, the Bank Executives Conference brings together bank management teams from across the state for keynote and breakout presentations, networking, and collaboration.

The keynote speakers and industry experts — including Lee Wetherington and Terry Rich — delivered insightful presentations on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the banking industry. Topics ranged from digital transformation and cybersecurity to culture and succession planning. Attendees gained valuable insights into navigating the rapidly evolving financial landscape. In addition to a full exhibit hall and various networking opportunities, this year’s event also honored several distinguished bankers with prestigious awards.

Gerald Jacobson of Northwestern Bank in Chippewa Falls was recognized as WBA’s 2023 Banker of the Year; National Exchange Bank & Trust, Fond du Lac received the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation’s annual Financial Education Innovation Award; 10 bankers were inducted into WBA’s 50- and 60-Year Clubs; and over 50 banks achieved WBA’s Gold Triangle and/or Bankers Involved with Grassroots and Government (BIGG) Award.

The theme for this year — "inspire" — encapsulates Chair Donna Hoppenjan's mission to foster unity, engagement, and education within the membership, aiming to inspire success across the industry, the Association, and communities in Wisconsin. Throughout the event, participants celebrated the achievements of the past year, such as Wisconsin's groundbreaking tax parity for C- and S-Corp banks, while also strategizing plans for the future.

Lee Wetherington, Jack Henry & Associates, opened the 2024 Bank Executives Conference with a keynote on the the forces transforming the banking industry in the next decade.

Cheryll Olson-Collins, DFI Secretary-designee, addressed the group during Thursday's luncheon program.

Recipients

Bank Executives Conference Inspire

February 7–9 l Kalahari Resort & Convention Center l Wisconsin Dells

Prior to the start of the conference, attendees had the opportunity to take part in one of five banker-only peer group meetings.

Recipients of the Leadership Circle Award

Cheryll Olson-Collins, DFI secretary-designee, provided an update from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

Throughout the event, attendees met with over 70 vendors in the exhibit hall.

Recipients of the Gold Triangle Club Award

This year's conference drew over 500 bankers, WBA Associate Members, and guests to Wisconsin Dells.

Gerald Jacobson Named 2023 Banker of the Year

The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is pleased to announce that Gerald Jacobson, president and CEO of Northwestern Bank, headquartered in Chippewa Falls, has been named the 2023 Banker of the Year. An award ceremony was held the evening of February 8, 2024, at the WBA Bank Executives Conference.

“On behalf of our Association, it is my honor to congratulate Jerry on earning this recognition,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “He is a highly accomplished yet humble individual who leads by example in his bank, in his community, and at the state and national levels of the banking industry.”

Jacobson has been in banking since June of 1978. In his 45 years at Northwestern Bank, he worked as a teller, auditor, cashier, executive vice president, and president. He has been president of the bank since 1998.

Getting to know staff on a personal level and providing opportunities for professional success are priorities of Jacobson’s. As an example, he walks to the post office most days to get the mail. He will then sort it and hand it out to the Chippewa Falls branch employees, giving him the opportunity to greet most

employees daily. He takes time out of every week to go to all Northwestern Bank locations to visit with staff.

Jacobson has volunteered with more than two dozen civic and community organizations. For example, Jacobson and his wife, Mary Jacobson, have created a leadership family endowment with the Community Foundation of Chippewa County for the benefit of future generations. Jacobson also helped to establish Blugold Beginnings, a program designed to inspire underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation students to attend UW-Eau Claire. Jacobson encourages volunteerism amongst the more than 80 employees at Northwestern Bank, who collectively share approximately 1,600 hours annually with community organizations.

Jacobson has worked extensively on economic development in the Chippewa Valley region and has nurtured the thriving downtowns in both Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire. He has taken on leadership roles with organizations such as the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Chippewa Falls Business Improvement District.

Under Jacobson’s leadership as CEO, Northwestern Bank has seen asset growth quadruple from $152MM to $607MM (as of December 2022), while the bank’s net income quintupled from $2MM to $10.7MM over the same period. Jacobson has been lauded for managing the bank profitably without compromising the safety of the institution.

Jacobson has acted as an advocate for the banking industry by serving on the boards of the Community Bankers of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Bankers Association. At the national level, Jacobson was recently re-elected to serve a second term on the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Board of Directors.

The WBA Banker of the Year award is presented to one Wisconsin banker each year in recognition of outstanding service to their bank, to the continued vitality of their community, and to the banking profession. The Banker of the Year award began in 1986, and Jacobson is the 38th banker honored with this distinction.

Bankers Recognized for Decades of Dedicated Service

During a special luncheon held at the WBA Bank Executives Conference, 10 bankers were recognized for their extraordinary service to Wisconsin’s banking industry. With each inductee celebrating at least half a century of service, this year’s 50- and 60-Year Club recipients have made significant contributions to their banks and to the customers and communities they serve.

Congratulations to the following individuals on their induction into the WBA 50-Year Club:

• Paul Adamski, The Pineries Bank, Stevens Point

• Dave Davis, Collins State Bank, Menomonee Falls

• LuAnn Hasenfuss, Farmers and Merchants Union Bank, Columbus

• Joann Johnson, Bank of Mauston

• Doreen Kuse, Partners Bank, Marshfield

• Susan Langer, First National Bank of River Falls

• Larry LeMahieu, Oostburg State Bank

• Frederick F. Schwertfeger, Horicon Bank

Congratulations to the following individuals on their induction into the WBA 60-Year Club:

• Robert Gorsuch, Oak Bank, Fitchburg

• Ken Knuteson, First Citizens State Bank, Whitewater

Gerald Jacobson, center, accepts the 2023 Banker of the Year award alongside colleagues from the bank.

National Exchange Bank & Trust Named

2023 WBF Financial Education Innovation Award Winner

National Exchange Bank & Trust, headquartered in Fond du Lac, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Financial Education Innovation Award. The award was presented to National Exchange Bank & Trust representative Jaclyn Rutkowski during a special luncheon on February 8, 2024, at the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Bank Executives Conference.

“Too often, people are reluctant to talk or ask questions about finances,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBF chair and WBA president and CEO. “Through their ‘It’s OK not to know’ campaign, National Exchange Bank & Trust has shared useful financial resources in a fun, accessible way.”

National Exchange Bank & Trust’s multi-media financial education campaign, titled, “It’s OK not to know,” ran across digital and social media channels, including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. The campaign was designed to engage community members who may not yet feel confident in their financial literacy. Featured content covered topics such as “pay yourself first,” “zero-based budgeting,” and the difference between an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and a fixed-rate mortgage. The campaign included a diverse range of media, such as short-form videos, images with text, emails, and blog posts. The shareable content also emphasized an overarching theme that banks are judgement-

free resources, ready to provide support and guidance.

The WBF Financial Education Innovation Award is a prestigious category of the WBF Excellence in Financial Education Awards. Submissions for the 2023 WBF Excellence in Financial Education Awards encompassed over 700 financial education presentations given by 365 Wisconsin bank employees, reaching approximately 25,500 Wisconsin community members.

Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Raises $10,825 through Annual Silent Auction

During its annual silent auction held in conjunction with the WBA Bank Executives Conference, the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation raised $10,825 is support of its mission to promote financial literacy and capability to the public and to broaden consumer empowerment in the financial services industry through education, scholarships, grants, and research. Known for its beloved Reading Raises Interest Kits,

Thank you to the auction donors:

• AbbyBank

• Associated Bank

• Bank of Sun Prairie

• Bank of Wisconsin Dells

• Bell Bank

• Bristol Morgan Bank

• Capitol Bank

• Edge One

• Farmers and Merchants Bank

• FIPCO

• First Federal Bank of Wisconsin

• Forward Madison FC

• Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.

• Donna Hoppenjan

• Horicon Bank

• Hub Financial Services (Taylor Advisors)

• Kalahari Resorts

• Cassandra Krause

• Madison Mallards

Congratulations and thank you to the winning bidders:

• Quinn Christensen

• Morgan Farmer

• Bryan Gerlach

• Sarah Grooms

• Nicole Hagen

• Kelly Hegney

• Alonso Hernandez

• Holly Heuer

• Paul Hoffmann

• Traci Hollister

• Shay Horton

• Louis Kern

• Cassandra Krause

• Chris McDermid

• Michael Olson

• Chris Ogren

• Greg Ogren

• Rose Oswald Poels

scholarships for students pursuing banking-related careers, and data for bankers and the public on the industry through Banconomics.com, the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation aims to raise over $70,000 this fiscal year to support its various initiatives.

To learn more about the Foundation, please visit wisbankfoundation.org.

• Mound City Bank

• National Exchange Bank & Trust

• Rose Oswald Poels

• Joe Peikert

• Port Washington State Bank

• Royal Bank

• Jill Schwichtenberg

• Starion Bank

• The Equitable Bank

• Trappers Turn Golf Club

• Darcy Rallo

• Scott Rockwell

• Greg Salmen

• Edward Schaefer

• Charles Schmalz

• Jill Schwichtenberg

• Lindsay Spitzer

• Kathy Strasser

• Alex Wilkinson

The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (FEIN 463791061) is organized for charitable and educational purposes. Its mission is to promote financial literacy and capability to the public and to broaden consumer empowerment in the financial services industry through education, scholarships, grants, and research. To learn more, visit wisbankfoundation.org.

Rose Oswald Poels (Left) presents the WBF Financial Education Innovation Award to Jaclyn Rutkowski

2024 WBA Bank Executives Conference – Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor:

• FHLBank Chicago

Gold Sponsors:

• Bankers’ Bank

• BMO Harris Bank – Correspondent Banking

• BOK Financial Capital Markets

• FIPCO

• Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.

• ICBA Services Network

• WBA Insurance Services

Silver Sponsors

• Bell Bank

• Cinnaire

• Locknet – an EO Johnson Company

• Performance Trust

• UFS LLC

• Wipfli LLP

Sponsors:

• Abrigo

• American Bankers Association

• AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

• Data Financial, Inc.

• Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

• FORVIS

Bronze Sponsors:

• Advantage, powered by JMFA

• American Security and Privacy

• Arctic Wolf Networks

• BHG Financial

• Boardman & Clark LLP

• Delta Dental of Wisconsin

• Eide Bailly LLP

• Executive Benefits Network

• Jefferson Wells

• Northland Securities, Inc.

• Plante Moran

• Quad City Bank & Trust

• Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.

• SHAZAM

• Spectrum Investment Advisors

• The Baker Group

Sponsors:

• Graduate School of Banking at UW-Madison

• Hovde Group, LLC

• Lerdahl: Inspired Workplace Interiors

• Olsen Palmer

• PULSE, a Discover Company

• Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

2024 WBA Bank Executives Conference – Exhibitors

• ADVANTAGE, powered by JMFA

• Allied Solutions, LLC

• American Security & Privacy

• Arctic Wolf Networks

• Associated Technical Services, Inc.

• Bank Compensation Consulting

• Bankers' Bank

• BHG Financial

• BMO Harris Bank - Correspondent Banking

• BOK Financial Capital Markets

• BPAS

• BrandPoint Design

• Case Financial

• Computer Services, Inc

• Data Financial, Inc.

• DCI

• Delta Dental of Wisconsin

• Edge One

• Eide Bailly LLP

• Endeavor IT

• FHLBank Chicago

• FIPCO

• First Business Bank

• Fiserv

• forbinfi, a VGM Company

• Generations Title

• Graduate School Banking at UW-Madison

• Greenwoods Equipment Finance

• Haberfeld

• Hill Top Securities

• HUB Financial Services

• ICBA Services Network

• Iceberg fs

• Intrafi

• Ironcore Inc.

• Jefferson Wells

• Keller, Inc.

• La Macchia Group

• Lasco Development Corporation

• Leap Strategic Marketing

• Lenderful Solutions

• Lerdahl Business Interiors

• Locknet-An EO Johnson Company

• Ncontracts

• Northland Securities, Inc.

• NuSource Financial

• Optimal Blue

• PULSE, a Discover Company

• Quad City Bank & Trust

• R&T Deposit Solutions

• Remedy Consulting

• SBS CyberSecurity

• SHAZAM

• Spectrum Investment Advisors

• Spry, Inc.

• Steffes Group

• Strategic Resource Management

• Teslar Software

• The Baker Group

• The Redmond Company

• Turney Associates. L.C.

• UFS LLC

• Vantage Point Solutions

• Vitex Inc.

• WBA Insurance Services

• WHEDA

• Wind River Payments

• Wolf & Company, P.C.

• Xamin

• Young & Associates, Inc.

wisbank.com

Bulletin Board

News from Wisconsin Bankers Association Members

Promotions and New Hires

Bismarck, ND

Starion Bank has announced that Dave Rogstad (pictured) and Lee Weisbeck (pictured) have been promoted to chief banking officer.

Collins

Collins State Bank is pleased to announce the promotions of Steve Fleischmann to executive vice president, and Kevin Moehring to senior vice president.

Madison

First Business Bank is proud to announce the promotion of Mike Groth (pictured) to vice president – SBA lending. Additionally, Cooper Wage (pictured) has joined the bank as vice president – commercial banking.

Manitowoc

Luke Schulte (pictured) recently joined Bank First as vice president –business banking. Additionally, Vince Cameranesi (pictured), Glenn Curran (pictured), Aaron Faulkner (pictured), and Brad Rahmlow (pictured) have

been promoted to the position of region president.

Marinette

The Stephenson National Bank & Trust (SNBT) is pleased to name Greg Salmen (pictured) as its next president and CEO.

Medford

Prevail Bank is pleased to announce that Brenda Trump (pictured) has been promoted to vice president –branch manager team lead.

Milwaukee

Associated Bank has announced the appointment of Steven Zandpour (pictured) as executive vice president –director of retail banking.

New London

First State Bank is pleased to announce the promotions of Jason Wery (pictured), executive vice president – chief banking officer, and Megan Buchholz (pictured), vice president – consumer banking.

Oregon

One Community Bank Is pleased to announce the promotions of Dan Carey (pictured) to chief commercial officer and Tom Long (pictured) to senior vice president – commercial banking manager. Additionally, Dennis Haefer (pictured) has joined the bank as senior vice president – commercial banking manager.

Port Washington

Port Washington State Bank has welcomed Josh Nave (pictured) as vice president – director of information technology and Karen Stroud (pictured) as vice president – controller.

Union Grove

Community State Bank is pleased to announce the promotions of Robert Pieroni (pictured) to senior vice president – Kenosha County market president, Laura Burnett Shoemaker (pictured) to vice president – cash management, and Molly Krause (pictured) to vice president – cash management. Additionally, the bank has welcomed Richard Behls (pictured) as senior vice president –chief credit officer.

Waukesha

Waukesha State Bank is proud to announce the promotions of Stephanie Ohlfs (pictured) to senior vice president – marketing director and Heather Congemi (pictured) to vice president – retail loan administration officer.

Wausau

Peoples State Bank is pleased to announce the promotions of Erik Rajek (pictured) to senior vice president and chief credit officer and Seth Wage (pictured) to vice president – commercial banker.

Announcements

Augusta

Unity Bank congratulates Kristi Kelly (pictured), personal banker III, on her 25th anniversary at the bank.

Manitowoc

Bank First is delighted to share that Kevin LeMahieu (pictured) has been honored with the 2023 Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Year award in the category of Community Service by ‘Insight Publications.’

Medford

Exactly 50 years to the day, Gene Knoll (pictured), vice president – senior commercial loan officer, retired from Forward Bank on January 4.

New London

After 45 years of service, Barb Krueger (pictured) retired from her position as executive administrative assistant at First State Bank in January 2024. Krueger was previously recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award in June 2023.

Madison

Three WBA employees recently celebrated their long service to the Association and our membership. Congratulations to Deb Rufer (pictured), accounting and human resources assistant, on 30 years of service; Randy Molepske (pictured), assistant director – IT, on 25 years of service; and Lori Kalscheuer, director –education, on 15 years of service.

Weisbeck Groth C. Wage Schulte Cameranesi Curran Faulkner

Rahmlow Salmen Trump

Zandpour Wery Buchholz Carey

Haefer Nave Stroud Pieroni Burnett-Shoemaker Krause Behls Ohlfs

Congemi Rajek S. Wage Kelly Rufer

LeMahieu Knoll Krueger

Molepske Kalscheuer

Long

Rogstad

Bulletin Board

News from Wisconsin Bankers Association Members

Celebrating a Lifetime of Service

WBA is proud to recognize the individual bankers who dedicate their service to our industry and their community. The 50- and 60Year Clubs recognize bankers who have served in the banking industry for 50 and 60 years, respectively. Additionally, WBA’s Lifetime Service Awards recognize bankers who have served in the industry for between 30 and 49 years. To recognize a banker for the esteemed honor, please visit wisbank.com/ServiceAwards.

First National Bank of Bangor

Lynette Ikert, loan/IRA associate, was recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award for 40 years of service. Ikert retired from her position in January 2024. Pictured (left to right) are: Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO, and Lynette Ikert.

National Bank of Commerce, Superior

Steve Burgess, president and CEO, was recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award for 45 years of service. WBA’s 2021 Banker of the Year, Burgess retired from his position in January 2024 but will continue to serve the bank as a director.

Bank of Mauston

Mike Lindert, president and CEO of Bank of Mauston, was recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award for 43 years of service. Lindert retired from his position in December 2023. Pictured (left to right) are: Mike Lindert and Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO.

Mound City Bank, Platteville

Julie Runde, commercial/ag loan processor, was recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award for 41 years of service. Runde retired from her position in December 2023.

Royal Bank, Cobb

Glenda Faull, chief banking officer, was recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award for 46 years of service. Faull retired from her position in December 2023. Pictured (left to right) are: Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO, and Glenda Faull

Dairy State Bank, Menomonie

Linda VanBlaricom, assistant vice president – operations systems specialist, was recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award for 44 years of service. Lindert retired from her position in January 2024. Pictured (left to right) are: Amy Johnson, Dairy State Bank chief operations officer; Clark Yolitz, Dairy State Bank CEO; Linda VanBlaricom; and Daryll Lund, WBA executive vice president – chief of staff.

Royal Bank, Cassville

Linda Ralph, branch operations manager, was recognized with WBA’s Lifetime Service Award for 46 years of service. Ralph retired from her position in November 2023. Pictured (left to right) are: Linda Ralph and Pam Kelly, FIPCO president.

See more good news about Wisconsin’s banking industry, including recent hires, staff achievements, and community involvement at wisbank.com/Bulletin.

Pictured (left to right) are: Steve Burgess and Daryll Lund, WBA executive vice president – chief of staff.

Pictured (left to right) are: Donna Hoppenjan, Mound City Bank president and CEO and chair of the 2023–2024 WBA Board of Directors; Julie Runde; and Pete Mumm, Mound City Bank senior vice president – chief lending officer.

Make the Most of Your Bank’s Benefits With WBA

As a member of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA), there are a variety of ways for you and your team to make the most of your member benefits and get involved with the Association.

Get Informed

Wisconsin Banker Daily: Landing in your inbox every weekday morning, this e-publication is a must for all bankers looking to remain up to date on banking-related topics and Association updates. With just a click, start your day with the information most relevant to you and your team.

Banconomics.com: Compiled by UFS LLC and distributed by the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation, these reports provide insightful banking data and benchmarks from the FDIC’s quarterly call reports on asset quality, liquidity, and profitability for seven Midwest states.

Best Practices Library: To aid members in performing their jobs at a high level, WBA and representatives from our various committees have created and curated a number of checklists, forms, and frequently asked questions that are available free to members.

Compliance Resources: From the monthly ‘WBA Compliance Journal’ to the Legal Call Program and online resources, WBA’s attorneys are available to answer compliance questions and aid your team in staying abreast of new and changing regulation.

Get Ahead

Advocacy Officer: As bankers with an interest in public policy and providing their input on legislative and regulatory policy items, these banker volunteers regularly communicate with bank officers and directors, coordinate advocacy programs such as “Take Your Legislator to Work” days and fundraising initiatives, as well as stay abreast of the latest legislative and governmental issues.

Associate Member Directory: Made up of a broad spectrum of third-party providers from around the country, WBA Associate Members often specialize in specific products and services related to banks. WBA member banks may choose to partner with these companies and take advantage of the meaningful and relevant expertise that informs the Association and bankers.

Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT): BOLT provides current and emerging bank leaders with the opportunity to learn, network, and expand their leadership in the banking industry. Two leadership summits are held per year to encourage members to make connections, discuss challenges, and explore new opportunities for personal and professional development.

Education Events: Designed for bankers of all levels to help with their professional development, WBA offers hundreds of in-person and virtual educational programs annually. From one-hour webinars to five-day conferences, WBA’s programs are in-demand, reputable, and engaging for the whole team.

Subsidiaries: Whether seeking software and consulting to strengthen the bank’s services or insurance coverage for the bank and its people, WBA’s family of companies FIPCO, Midwest Bankers Insurance Services, and WBA Employee Benefits Corporation offers cost-effective, quality products to banks.

Wisconsin Bankers Foundation: WBA’s non-profit arm serves to promote financial literacy and capability to the public and to broaden consumer empowerment in the financial services industry through education, scholarships, grants, and research. All bankers may access financial literacy resources to aid in their efforts to educate their communities.

Get Involved

CEOnly and CFOnly Network: Open to all Wisconsin-chartered bank CEOs and CFOs, this network focuses on idea sharing and building connections related to Wisconsin’s banking industry. Bankers are provided with a platform to anonymously ask questions and receive advice as well as connect with peers at up to three in-person networking events.

Committees, Sections, and Advisory Boards: WBA Committees, Sections, Advisory Boards are a great opportunity for bankers representing a variety of areas in the bank to contribute to the Association and see firsthand the impact on Wisconsin’s banking industry. These volunteers may discuss current and future education and training programs, create practical resources available in WBA’s Best Practices Library, and work alongside peers from across the state.

Compliance Forum: As the premier Wisconsin-specific program focused on presenting updates and addressing the latest hot topics in compliance, the Compliance Forum allows members to attend several events throughout the year, gain CLE and other compliance certifications (subject to approval), and access to the Forum’s Google Group to connect with peers.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Employee Resource Group (ERG): Formed in 2022, the DEI ERG is a safe space for bankers of historically underrepresented backgrounds to meet, hold open-forum discussions, ask questions, and share ideas.

WBA Connect: WBA’s collection of banker-only peer groups is a free benefit open to all members. The peer groups represent bankers in several areas of the institution and are designed as a non-competitive avenue to keep bankers connected and help one another grow.

Careers in Banking

Continued from pg. 1

To help recruit for open internship opportunities and raise awareness of the banking industry, many banks across Wisconsin also partner with local colleges and universities. As a partner or sponsor, bankers may attend networking events such as career fairs, take part in career readiness events by hosting mock interviews, and collaborate with students, among the many other benefits of establishing the bank as a trusted employer and advocate for student success.

Creating a Meaningful Experience

At Johnson Financial Group, Racine, the 10-week summer internship program concludes with a group presentation to members of the bank’s senior leadership team. Throughout the program, interns work together on a relevant business challenge. The presentation offers interns the chance to present their findings and share feedback with bank leaders.

“More than anything, we want our interns to feel like they are part of the team,” says Logan Aguilar, human resources specialist – early career. “Within the first week, they are keyed in on our current strategic goals, and by the end of the summer, students have had the opportunity to hear directly from our business partners on their paths into the industry, see firsthand our culture and values, and contribute their skills in various areas of the bank.”

Through the internship program at Lake Ridge Bank, students are not only able to develop practical skills for their future careers, but they are also encouraged to join their mentor on an off-site business visit to meet current clients, learn more about their role in the community, and directly hear the role of the bank from a customer perspective.

“Most students are not coming into banking from a career standpoint; they are attracted by the opportunity to make a difference,” says Davis. “Meeting and hearing from our clients is a great way for interns to broadly see this impact.”

Networking with clients, fellow interns, and current bankers helps students to build valuable connections that can be instrumental in their future careers. In addition, offering hands-on experience, taking time to introduce interns to the various functions of a bank, what

departments make up the bank, and the broad range of knowledge and skill sets that lend themselves to a successful career in the industry help students envision a future career.

Johnson Financial Group’s Vice President – Talent Acquisition Manager Nikki Redmond notes that because students may not be aware of the myriad career paths available in the industry, they may mistakenly believe that if one option does not align with their interests, there are no alternative avenues available. “The banking industry offers so many opportunities for growth, and people move around; it’s not uncommon to hear of bankers moving throughout the organization to find the area that fits them best.”

For banks, it is important to make this clear when connecting with or employing students.

Conveying the Benefits

There is no doubt that allowing students to gain hands-on experience in a bank setting is the best way to showcase what career opportunities are available in the banking industry. However, human resource professionals in the banking industry agree that it is equally important to emphasize the broader advantages the industry offers.

“Banks offer a certain level of security that students don’t know — or maybe even consider — when they first begin thinking about their future career,” highlights Schnitzler. “Beyond showcasing what opportunities are available throughout the bank, we must be diligent in emphasizing how students will benefit from pursuing these career opportunities.”

From career advancement opportunities to job stability, banking is set apart from many

industries with the ability to be both consistent and ever-changing in positive ways. With a rich history spanning nearly two centuries, Wisconsin’s banking industry has long shown commitment to supporting the economic vitality of the state. Yet, in order to meet the evolving needs of Wisconsinites, banks remain adaptive and resilient to changing conditions allowing for bankers to continually explore new avenues to make meaningful contributions. For the younger generation, a career in banking is not only rewarding but long-lasting.

For many bankers of all experience levels, the greatest benefit of their career is related to involvement in the community. Being present at community events, sharing success stories and donations, and volunteering at local organizations and schools is highly rewarding. Similarly, student employees and interns should be encouraged to be active in the community.

For the summer interns at Johnson Financial Group, this means taking part in a community service activity during the internship program’s annual Service Day and participating in the Light the Hoan Intern Challenge.

Continued on pg. 20

Invest in Your Bank’s Women Leaders

Across Wisconsin, a growing number of women are emerging into bank leadership positions. To facilitate this growth and establish connections among bankers. WBA will host its 18th annual Women in Banking Conference on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. This Conference is geared toward all women employed at a WBA-member bank, regardless of position. Each year, over 200 bankers benefit from the unique opportunity to connect, learn, and inspire one another.

The one-day, hybrid event will feature over four hours of thought-provoking and inspirational keynote sessions and panels. From enhancing leadership capabilities through emotional intelligence to stories of how other women in Wisconsin’s banking industry have springboarded their

Careers in Banking Reaching Diverse Talent

Continued from pg. 19

Throughout Wisconsin, banks provide a diverse range of services that cater to a wide variety of individuals, businesses, and communities. As such, it is critical that bank outreach efforts are just as inclusive and accessible.

In attempting to connect with the younger generation, human resource managers highlight the importance of utilizing the internet, social media in particular, for recruiting. Posting all available job openings, sharing banker/client success stories, and tailoring content to students and young adults helps expand the bank’s reach. Banks that are members of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) may post internships on WBA’s job board for free, and other job opportunities may

professional growth, all attendees will benefit from the opportunity to gain new insights and perspectives.

Monica Guzman, who previously spoke at WBA’s BOLT Winter Leadership Summit, will open the 2024 Conference by guiding attendees in recognizing their own greatness. Through personal empowerment and self-discovery, Guzman's opening keynote will assure women of their capabilities, encourage bankers to embrace their unique contributions throughout the industry, and inspire attendees to make the most of the Conference.

For those attending in person in Wisconsin Dells, opportunities to connect and share ideas with peers are abundant. In addition to networking breaks, roundtable discussions, and panels held throughout the event, an optional, pre-conference networking event will be held the evening of Tuesday, April 16 to facilitate meaningful conversations and foster professional relationships among peers.

Recognizing the importance of investing in the development of future leaders within their institutions, team pricing is available for banks planning to send more than 10 attendees to this year’s event.

Learn more and register now at wisbank.com/Women.

be posted for a modest fee. Additionally, thousands of employers, including banks, utilize Handshake — a commonly used recruiting platform for college and university students — to connect with students throughout the state.

Providing opportunities for students to shadow and explore diverse roles within the bank and build early connections in their career journey are pivotal for success. However, human resource professionals agree that the greatest challenge lies in dispelling preconceived notions about the banking industry.

“There is a certain stigma surrounding the banking industry — that you have to be good at math or like numbers, but the reality is that the banking industry is much more diverse and dynamic than students may realize,” notes Redmond.

Careers in Banking Panels Held on UW Campuses

Throughout February, WBA and banker volunteers visited colleges across the state to help close the gap between professionals and students pursing or interested in banking-related careers. These events — held at UW–Eau Claire, UW–Green Bay, UW–La Crosse, UW–Platteville, and UW–Whitewater — align with the Association’s strategic goal to aid bankers in inspiring the next generation of talent. During the panels, students learned more about the industry and the careers available to them. Students also had the opportunity to network with bankers and ask questions following the presentation.

For banks seeking new opportunities to reach the next generation of talent, the Association has created a ‘Careers in Banking’ brochure to inform students of the banking industry and its benefits as a career. The brochure is free to all members at their request and may be customizable to reflect the opportunities available at a given institution.

By addressing these misconceptions and fostering an inclusive culture that embraces the varied skills and talents individuals bring, we not only break down barriers but also pave the way for an industry that truly reflects the richness of perspectives and abilities within our society.

Flanders is WBA writer/editor.

Keynote Speaker Monica Guzman will open the 2024 Women in Banking Conference on April 17.

Agricultural Bankers Conference Kicks off in April

Across Wisconsin, agricultural bankers are seeing monumental changes both throughout the banking industry and within the farming communities they serve. Between rising interest rates and unpredictable weather patterns, farmers have been feeling the pressure and are looking to their lenders for support.

To assist bankers in remaining up to date on the latest agrelated topics and trends, the Wisconsin Bankers Association — and its Agricultural Bankers Section — annually bring together over 125 ag bankers from across the state for

the WBA Agricultural Bankers Conference. The two-day event offers attendees over seven hours of presentations, a full exhibit hall of companies offering products and services geared toward ag banking, and various networking opportunities.

For ag bankers navigating uncertainty alongside their customers, this is a must-attend event.

To learn more and register your team for this year’s conference, please visit wisbank.com/Ag.

Enter Your Scenic Pictures to the Photo Contest for the Scenes of Wisconsin Calendar

See your photo featured in WBA’s popular calendar in 2025

The Scenes of Wisconsin calendar — remembered and collected by bank customers around the state — will be entering its 18th year with the 2025 edition. The calendars are a marketing tool created by WBA, customized with your bank logo, and sold exclusively to banks across Wisconsin.

All the photos submitted for the contest are captured by Wisconsin bankers, their family members, or bank customers. Last year, WBA received more than 220 photos from over 80 photographers, which enabled the selection panel to curate a stunning calendar featuring seasonal images, sampling both urban and rural scenes throughout Wisconsin’s geography.

The panel is excited to see new perspectives for the 2025 calendar. Photo submissions are being accepted now through May 1, 2024, and winners will be notified by June 1, 2024. If you are interested in submitting your photography for the photo contest or would like to place an order for your bank’s supply of calendars, please visit www.wisbank.com/ScenesOfWI.

Join the Class of 2024

For the last several years, the Wisconsin Bankers Association 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.

Now in its fifth year of honoring Wisconsin’s prominent

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. To learn more about the monetary donation, and nominate yourself or another banker for the acclaimed recognition, please complete the nomination form at wisbank.com/Excellence by Friday, May 10, 2024.

Thank you, Package Holders

Thank you to the WBA Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Associate Member companies for their continued support of the banking industry and the Association. These companies provide services, information, and products that help Wisconsin banks serve their customers and communities. Thank you. Please visit wisbank.com/associates for more information about these companies.

WBA Platinum Associate Member

WBA Gold Associate Members

WBA Silver Associate Members

WBA Bronze Associate Members

Show the Power of Community This April

The Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) Power of Community Week campaign annually brings togethers member banks, Associate Member companies, and WBA staff to celebrate our commitment to the communities we serve. Now in its seventh year, Power of Community Week has inspired countless volunteers to engage in community service activities across the state and helped to demonstrate the value our industry brings to Wisconsin communities.

This year’s Power of Community Week will take place April 15–20, 2024 but bankers should participate in one or more service activities throughout the month. Whether it be hosting a food drive, taking part in a community cleanup, or giving a financial literacy presentation to local students, bankers are encouraged consider participating in events that are meaningful to them while also giving back to their community.

To display the collective efforts of banks across the state, WBA has created an interactive participation map highlighting the unique ways in which bankers are giving back. To include your bank’s volunteer activities, or find inspiration, please visit wisbank.com/ BanksPowerWI. Additionally, a media kit — including a press release template, sample social media posts, and best practices — is available to assist banks in sharing their community-focused efforts.

Following the bank’s volunteer activities, make sure to share photos on social media using the hashtag #BanksPowerWI. Throughout Power of Community Week, WBA will be sharing the ways in which the Wisconsin banking industry is committed to serving Wisconsin communities.

Don’t Forget to Share Your Efforts in Financial Education!

Is your team planning to take part in any financial education events throughout April? Don’t forget to share these activities with the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation. The Foundation’s annual summary forms help capture the individual and bank-wide efforts in improving financial literacy and capability that take place between June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024.

Recognize your team and help WBF curate relevant materials for future use by completing the 2023–2024 summary forms at wisbankfoundation. org/Financial-Education-Awards before July 31, 2024.

HMDA – Beyond Getting it Right

By Jeff Schmid, CRCM

As compliance officers and loan operations staff, we are all too familiar with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) publication “HMDA – Getting It Right.” But what if we get it wrong? And what are the ramifications? Hopefully, this article will help you overcome the less-than obvious errors that could result in a Loan Application Register (LAR) scrub and refile.

First, it is important that you understand whether your bank is a large reporter or small reporter, or if you even must file in the first place.

Prior to September 2022, many smaller banks enjoyed the benefit of financial institution exemption because they originated less than one hundred mortgages in each of the preceding

calendar years. That changed with a ruling that vacated the 2020 loan volume threshold and reset the limit back to twenty-five mortgage originations and suddenly, these small community banks found themselves scrambling to begin the collection and reporting process. This included those banks, large and small, that originated at least two hundred home equity lines of credit, down from five hundred.

Second, the refinance craze of 2019–2021 set a new bar for those banks that originated more than five hundred mortgages in each of the two preceding years. It required these banks to report on all forty-eight data points, but when volume fell in 2022 and 2023, they found themselves to fall back under the originator exemption, however, they continued to collect and report on all data points.

There are really 110 data points, not forty-six. When you break down the number of sub data points, you will find that there is more room for error than originally thought. Be sure when you review your LAR, you review all data fields collected and not just those you are required to report on. Identify errors in your collections process early before you transition to large data filing.

Garbage in is garbage out. Most institutions will rely heavily on the interface between the Loan Origination

Software (LOS) and their HMDA LAR software, however, if certain data fields like income are not updated in the LOS prior to creating the LAR record, a bank will find this to be a systemic error, resulting in a possible scrub and refile.

Under HMDA reporting, only one address can be entered. Therefore, when you have a 2–4 unit property with a range of addresses, only the first numbered address should be entered in your LAR. Many banks in 2023 had their 2022 LAR rejected because of this issue.

In the hierarchy of Loan Purpose, we also need to be aware that “Other” cannot be used in a business transaction. In fact, if you use “Other” in your purpose, be sure this aligns with TRID purpose of the "Home Equity Loan."

Even though you may have successfully submitted your LAR for 2023, take some time to run some quick analysis before your next exam. Compare “Purpose Code” to “Occupancy Type”; look for income that is either too high or too low as compared to all other entries; where N/A is listed as income, compare this to “Occupancy”; where zero is listed as income, compare this to your underwriting where current assets are expected to repay the loan; review the address column to be sure only one address is listed.

With all the complexities presented by HMDA, ShareFi is here to make sure your team gets it right. Contact me at jschmid@fipco.com or 608-4411220 to learn more about how our team can be a trusted advisor for your bank's compliance needs.

Schmid is director of compliance and management services at ShareFI. FIPCO is a subsidiary of WBA and a WBA Gold Associate Member.

Leveraging Company Culture: A Community Bank’s Social Media Asset

By Josh Effinger

Whether it’s internally with your coworkers or externally with your customers and community, community banks create many positive interactions on a daily basis. Capitalizing on these opportunities for social media and digital content can be a game-changer by showcasing your company culture and humanizing your bank.

While this strategy sounds simple and straight forward, this can be challenging for a marketing department or individual limited by time, resources, and other priorities. Consider these four tips to utilize your colleagues efficiently and effectively.

1. Identify what makes your bank culture unique. If your bank has a fun activity or social event, take pictures to capture staff camaraderie, such as volunteering in the community, attending high profile events, employee spotlights and accomplishments, staff wellness initiatives, customer testimonials, thought leadership, and professional growth narratives.

2. Encourage employees to participate. Ask staff to capture day-to-day moments within the bank that reflect its culture, such as team achievements, customer interactions, or community involvement. This can be as simple as capturing a few photos at an event or documenting a positive customer experience. Utilizing your employees outside of the marketing department can create valuable content and expand your reach so the content creation doesn’t fall on one person or department. Seek out fellow co-workers who might have a photography background or passion. By creating a sense of ownership and enthusiasm among employees to showcase the company culture through their lens, marketing managers can foster a more engaging and relatable social media presence for the bank.

3. Train staff. Training should involve clear guidelines on content creation, ensuring it aligns with the brand's messaging while highlighting the human aspect of the bank. Give clear directions and provide examples with tips to make it fun and easy for staff to be involved. Leading by example will show employees that you also buy into the culture. Meeting with newly hired employees and sending helpful reminders will set expectations right away and reinforce them periodically.

4. Ensure everything runs through marketing and compliance. Ultimately, the marketing department has final say on what content is posted on social media. Limiting employee access to company social media profiles is essential for proper security and ensures compliance guidelines are followed.

Leveraging your staff to help create content not only creates more opportunities to showcase your company culture on social media, but it also generates efficiencies for the marketing department so they can focus on other objectives and not have to be present for every positive customer interaction or event. With proper training and clear guidelines, you can create a fun and inclusive environment that allows employees to proudly showcase their accomplishments and make a difference in the community.

Effinger is marketing officer at Ixonia Bank and member of the 2023–2024 WBA Marketing Committee.

Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Spring Scholarships

Apply between January 29 and March 13, 2024 to be considered for one of four $2,000 scholarships!

Criteria:

• Wisconsin high school senior, an employee of a WBA-member bank, or the dependent of a WBA-member bank employee.

• Currently enrolled or enrolling in fall at an accredited Wisconsin public or private, nonprofit college, university, or technical college.

• Demonstrate academic, community, and pre-professional (job or internship) achievement and be able to articulate the importance of financial literacy.

wisbankfoundation.org/scholarships

Opportunities to Advocate for Your Industry This Spring

Thank you for your continued grassroots involvement! Bankers from across the state are invited to join the WBA Government Relations team for two WBA Washington trips this spring. The trips — one held in conjunction with the American Bankers Association (ABA) and the other in conjunction with the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) — provide the WBA membership with the opportunity to meet with our congressional delegation during trips arranged by the Association to Capitol Hill.

As a fundamental aspect of WBA’s efforts in supporting the financial services industry, grassroots advocacy — and

your active involvement — is critical to the success of our advocacy priorities. It is important for the ongoing success of our industry that bankers are proactive in making their voices heard to ensure our industry’s concerns are addressed and understood by policymakers.

Regardless of your bank’s membership in either national trade group, all WBA members are welcome to attend either (or both) the WBA/ABA Washington Summit March 18–20, 2024 in Washington, D.C. and the WBA/ICBA Capital Summit, which will take place April 28–May 1, 2024. Please note that while there is no registration fee for either summit, attendees are responsible for their travel and hotel room charges during the events.

To learn more about this year’s summits, please visit wisbank.com/SpringAdvocacy. Please contact WBA’s Rose Oswald Poels at ropoels@wisbank.com, Daryll Lund at dlund@wisbank.com, or Lorenzo Cruz at lcruz@wisbank. com with questions or to confirm your attendance.

New Associate Members

American Security and Privacy (Bronze Associate Member)

Website: www.americansecurityandprivacy.com

Specialties: Compliance Auditing/Services; Consulting Services; Information Technology/Cybersecurity

American Security and Privacy is your one-stop organization to handle your data security and privacy needs. Boasting innovative security and privacy GRC tools, helpful consulting services and staff augmentation services, rigorous auditing and testing capabilities, and a training and education program second to none.

Array

Website: www.array.com

Specialties: Community Development; PR/Marketing; Software Solutions

Array is a leading financial innovation platform that helps financial institutions, digital brands and fintechs get compelling consumer products and features to market quickly.

Customarkable, LLC (EngageGPS)

Website: www.engagegps.com

Specialties: Information Technology/Cybersecurity; Software Solutions

EngageGPS is a customer engagement platform designed for banks to enhance customer relations and business growth.

Enlighten Financial, LLC

Website: www.enlightenfinancial.com

Specialties: Compliance Auditing/Services; Consulting Services

Formed in Green Bay in 2008, we provide commercial loan review, consumer loan review, credit underwriting, credit risk management consulting, and mortgage quality control (pre-close, post-close, and servicing) services to financial institutions.

Integris

Website: www.integrisit.com

Specialties: Compliance Auditing/Services; Consulting Services; Information Technology/Cybersecurity Integris, a leading technology services company, specializes in tailored IT solutions for financial institutions. With a focus on innovation and security, Integris is the trusted partner for banks seeking technology-driven growth and efficiency.

Peoples Company

Website: www.peoplescompany.com

Specialties: Consulting Services; Investment Services Peoples Company leads the nation in providing integrated land solutions as one of the few firms with core competencies in land brokerage, agricultural appraisal, land and energy management, crop insurance, and capital markets, providing clients with a one-stop solution for agricultural transactions.

WBA Associate Members Support Bankers Across Wisconsin

By Daryll Lund

Every year, the banking industry becomes increasingly competitive and with new trends, technology, and specialized services emerging at rapid speeds, there is no way for one single business to do it all. The Wisconsin Bankers Association is pleased to offer WBA bank members access to the over 150 vetted, dedicated companies that make up the Association’s Associate Member program.

Made up of a broad spectrum of third-party providers from around the country, WBA’s Associate Members program features companies that specialize in specific products and services related to banks. In forming strong partnerships with third-party vendors, many WBA members have found great benefit directly impacting their bank’s growth to the satisfaction of their customers.

Furthermore, Associate Member companies serve as valuable partners of the Association.

to Know Our Package-level Associate Members

From sharing their expertise through resources published in our publications to presenting on hot topics at WBA events, our Associate Members help us create meaningful, relevant content that informs bankers throughout Wisconsin.

WBA’s Associate Member program offers just the place for banks to locate whatever niche expertise and product specialization they need to stay ahead in our continuously evolving industry. WBA stands ready to identify companies that seek to assist Wisconsin’s banking industry and connect banks with the vendor(s) that will meet their needs.

To learn more about WBA’s Associate Member program and how your bank can make the most of the resources available, please visit wisbank.com/Associates or contact Nick Loppnow, director – associate membership and business development, at nloppnow@wisbank.com.

Lund is WBA executive vice president and chief of staff.

WBA Package Holders, like all Associate Members, are dedicated to the success of our Association and the bankers we serve. As Package Holders (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze), these companies streamline their involvement with our Association through advertising, sponsorships, and exhibiting opportunities to further demonstrate their commitment and support of Wisconsin’s banking industry. View WBA’s 2024 Package Holders on pg. 24.

Get

Community Advocate Spotlight

Wisconsin bankers are the definition of “community advocates” in all that they do every day to improve their local economy through bank products and services, as well as through generous philanthropy of time and money. The Community Advocate Spotlight shares and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and innovation of some of the extraordinary bankers in the state.

Questions and Answers

The following is a brief interview between WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels and Oostburg State Bank President and CEO Eric Glewen.

Rose: How did you first get into the banking industry?

Eric: After graduating from Marquette University in 1990 with a Finance degree, I started my banking career with United Savings & Loan in Sheboygan. My first job in banking was to design and implement a Retail Indirect Lending Program for the institution. It didn’t take off overnight but a year and a half later we had it rolling pretty good. When Valley Bank purchased United Savings & Loan, I had the opportunity to move over to the commercial side of banking and worked as a credit analyst for two years, also gaining some exposure to treasury management during this time. This was a great learning opportunity for me and helped position me to be a business lender when M&I purchased Valley Bank.

I spent the next eight years working as a business banker for M&I in Sheboygan and Manitowoc. At that point in my career, I was offered an opportunity out of the blue to join Oostburg State Bank as their vice president of business banking. I took over as president in 2019 and have been with Oostburg State Bank now for over 21 years.

What is your favorite aspect of your role at the bank?

All of it, I love the community banking model! Helping people and serving the community are at the core of community banking. I am privileged to work with a group of talented, committed, and passionate community bankers here who care about doing great work that makes a difference for our clients and the greater community we serve. If our communities thrive, we thrive. Serving others and strengthening our communities, that’s what I enjoy and that’s what I work for.

What do you wish the general public understood about the banking industry?

When it comes to mission and values, financial institutions are not all created equal. Many financial institutions will ultimately measure their effectiveness in terms of their asset size or perhaps their quarterly performance. We at Oostburg State Bank — and other true community banks — tend to have a little longer perspective, preferring to judge our success by the strength of our communities and quantity

of banking relationships that last for decades and span generations. Customers most often pursue long-term banking relationships with someone they can trust and depend upon. We make it our mission to preserve the local community banking experience. Our team — as well as teams from other community banks across this great state — work diligently to meet the needs of our customers and our communities. In so doing, they exemplify what it truly means to be community bankers.

Where do you believe the industry’s greatest challenges are in the next three to five years?

There’s certainly no shortage of great challenges that community banks face and the one thing they have in common is that they all possess the potential to threaten our continuation of business. Second only to employees, deposits are a community bank’s lifeblood. The ongoing assault on deposits perhaps causes me to lose sleep the most often.

The combined effect of credit unions, FinTechs, cryptocurrency, regulatory, and other competitive forces, not to mention the big one — the prospect of a central bank digital currency — will not only continue to erode community bank’s deposits, but in the worst case, threaten the viability of our business model. It’s no time to relax in our advocacy efforts through the Wisconsin Bankers Association and Independent Community Bankers of America to preserve the precious community bank model.

Please describe your current role at your bank and share with us one of your more rewarding experiences.

Oostburg State Bank is a pillar of community support and investment. It was this way long before I became president and I’m confident it will be that way far into the future. Just recently, we were presented the opportunity to partner with the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District. Their indoor pool had served Cedar Grove, Belgium, Oostburg, and the surrounding communities for over 50 years and the pool needed some serious work. I grew up in Cedar Grove and as a kid I spent just about every summer afternoon at that pool. When I was in high school, one of my first jobs was lifeguarding at the pool. After a substantial renovation, today, the Oostburg State Bank Community Aquatics Center in Cedar Grove once again stands ready to serve the greater community for the next 50 plus years.

WBA’s Human Resources Conference Returns in May

On May 2, 2024, human resource professionals employed throughout Wisconsin’s banking industry will convene in Wisconsin Dells for the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) annual Human Resources Conference. The one-day event designed specifically for the bank’s human resources, talent acquisition, training, and organizational development team is a great opportunity to remain at the forefront of industry trends and connect with peers.

As banks consider new possibilities to attract, retain, and engage employees, attendees at this year’s conference will hear from experts on topics related to compensation,

Bankers Marketplace

Mound City Bank, an independent community-owned bank with $460 million in assets and 80+ employees in five communities in southwest Wisconsin, is seeking a new deposit compliance officer/BSA administrator to succeed the bank’s retiring vice president – deposit compliance officer/BSA administrator.

This position coordinates and administers the bank’s deposit compliance program, working very closely with the AVP –compliance officer/BSA officer, ensuring bank is compliant in all areas.

Duties include:

• Excellent communication skills supporting our Culture of Excellence.

• Oversee all deposit compliance

• Oversee BSA Administration

• Responsible for BSA/AML software monitoring

• Coordinate with internal and external auditors, including regulatory examiners, during audits and exams

• Ability to communicate and lead BSA/AML deposit compliance related training

• Desire to achieve and maintain appropriate education and professional certification credits

The ideal candidate should have at least five years’ banking experience with strong leadership skills to help maintain a strong BSA/AML program.

The bank, voted Best of the Best Workplace by the readers of the ‘Shopping News,’ offers a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified candidates should send letter of interest, resume, and references prior to the March 20, 2024, deadline to Kari Geyer at kari.geyer@moundcitybank.com. Member FDIC

culture, and navigating change within the organization. Jennifer Mirus of Boardman & Clark LLP will open the 2024 conference with an update on the most important developments in labor and employment law. Planned in part by the WBA Human Resources Committee, the Human Resources Conference also provides numerous opportunities for professionals to expand their networks and foster collaboration and idea exchange among their peers. By engaging with other human resource professionals, participants will acquire valuable insights to navigate the evolving landscape of human resources in the banking sector.

To learn more about this year’s event or register your team, please visit wisbank.com/HumanResources.

Wisconsin Banker

WBA Mission Statement

We actively advocate for, educate, and support our members to help them positively impact the Wisconsin communities they serve.

Association Officers:

Donna J. Hoppenjan (Chair), President/CEO, Mound City Bank, Platteville

Alvaro (Al) Araque (Chair-Elect), Senior Vice President, Director of Consumer, Private, and Small Business Banking, Johnson Financial Group, Racine

Paul J. Northway (Vice Chair), President/CEO, American National Bank – Fox Cities, Appleton

Daniel J. Peterson (Past Chair), Executive Chairman, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Marinette Rose Oswald Poels, President/CEO, Wisconsin Bankers Association, Madison Association Board of Directors:

Kelly Heroux, President/CEO Peshtigo National Bank

Paul A. Hoffmann, President

Lake Ridge Bank, Middleton

Shay Horton, President & CEO Cumberland Federal Bank

Ryan T. Kamphuis, President/CEO

Bristol Morgan Bank, Oakfield

Greg Lundberg, President/CEO Fortifi Bank, Berlin

Jay C. Mack, President/CEO

Town Bank, N.A., Hartland

Thomas Mews, President

First National Community Bank, New Richmond

Anthony (Tony) Nguyen

Eastern Minnesota/Wisconsin/Chicago

Regional Bank Director, Senior Vice President

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Milwaukee

Greg A. Ogren, President/CEO Security Bank Shares, Inc., Iron River

Joe Peikert, President/CEO

Wolf River Community Bank, Hortonville

Daniel J. Ravenscroft, President/CEO

Royal Bank, Elroy

William (Bill) Sennholz, CEO Forward Bank, Marshfield

The Wisconsin Banker is published by the Wisconsin Bankers Association, 4721 South Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718; Telephone: 608-441-1200; wisbank.com.

Cassandra Krause, Editor 608-441-1216; ckrause@wisbank.com

Advertising: sales@wisbank.com

To report a change of address, please email us at requests@wisbank.com.

The publication of advertisements does not necessarily represent endorsement of those products or services by the Wisconsin Bankers Association. The editor reserves the right ot reject any advertising or editorial copy deemed unsuitable for publication for any reason. Copy deadline is eight business days before publication date.

Disclaimer: With the exception of official announcements, the Wisconsin Bankers Association disclaims all responsibility for opinions expressed and statements made in printed articles and advertisements in the Wisconsin Banker. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is distributed with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal or accounting advice or expert assistance is required, the services of a qualified professional should be sought.

March

1 CRA Workshop

Wisconsin Dells or virtual – $245/attendee

5 Advanced IRA Workshop

Madison or virtual – $245/attendee

6 Health Savings Account Workshop

Madison or virtual – $245/attendee

6-7 FIPCO Software & Compliance Forum: Deposits

Virtual half days – $250/attendee

7 Branch Manager Boot Camp: Session II

11-15

Four-part series, virtual half days – $800/attendee

Loan Compliance School

Madison or virtual – $1,295/attendee

13-15 Real Estate Compliance School

Madison or virtual – $795/attendee

14-15 Call Report Workshop

Virtual half days – $245/attendee

18-20 WBA/ABA Washington Summit

Washington, D.C.

20 Security Officer Workshop

25-28

27

Wisconsin Dells or virtual – $245/attendee

Residential Mortgage Lending School

Madison – $1,045/attendee

Workshop: Fundamentals of Comm.

Lending 201: Analyzing Repayment Sources

Virtual full day – $250/attendee

28 Branch Manager Boot Camp: Session III

Four-part series, virtual half days – $800/attendee

April

11-12

15-20

Wisconsin Dells - $300/ag

Wisconsin

16-18

April

17

Women in Banking Conference

Wisconsin Dells or virtual – team pricing available 22-26 School of Bank Management

Madison – $1,395/attendee

23 Community Bankers for Compliance (CBC) –Session II

Virtual half-day – annual membership/pricing varies

25 Branch Manager Boot Camp: Session IV

4/28-

Four-part series, virtual half days – $800/attendee

5/1 WBA/ICBA Capital Summit

Washington, D.C.

4/305/23 Understanding Bank Performance Virtual Series

Eight-part webinar series – $1,000/attendee

May

2 Human Resources Conference

Wisconsin Dells – $245/attendee

7 CFO Conference

Madison – $245/attendee

8-9 Personal Banker School

Wausau – $495/attendee

9 FDIC Bank Directors College

Madison – $225/attendee

14-15 BSA/AML Compliance Conference

Wisconsin Dells – $450/attendee

15-16 Principles of Banking

Mineral Point – $550/attendee

22-23 Principles of Banking

Wausau – $550/attendee

23 Trust Conference

Madison – $245/attendee

KEY: Color-Coded Event Descriptions

• Conferences/Summits – One or more days, based on hot topics, industry news and best practices, scheduled time for peer networking.

• Schools/Boot Camps – Focused on a particular area of banking, allowing for a deep dive into that focused area over the course of two to six days.

• Workshops/Seminars – One-day programs, sometimes in multiple locations, focused on a specific topic or area of banking.

• WBA-Hosted Webinars – Two-hour webinars instructed with a particular focus on Wisconsin state law and rules.

• Other Events