Coulee Courier

April is Community Banking Month, and community banks like ours fund nearly 60% of small business loans nationwide. But behind every one of those loans is something no statistic can capture: a banker who knows the customer’s name, their family, and exactly what's at stake.

The primary difference between a family-owned community bank and a publicly traded bank is that your shareholder base is almost always local, and usually fairly small. At times, because we are family-owned, making decisions about the vision and direction of the organization can be done around a kitchen table. This flexibility, which is impossible for large, publicly traded financial institutions, allows us to make decisions about potential growth or expansion into a different market. Because of this, it changes the way that the organization can be run.

I believe community banks like ours benefit individuals because our customers are not numbers on a page, but a person who belongs within our organization. It’s that sense of connectedness that hopefully sets us apart from our competition.

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a privately held bank, I recognize there are components of this role that go beyond simply generating a profit. It’s truly about building relationships with the people in the organization because they have committed an extensive amount of time to see that Coulee Bank is successful. Because I am the CEO, I also want to watch how individuals change positions within the organization and progress throughout their careers with us. And, on the personal side, we've almost become extended family members. We hear stories about their children, spouses, marriages, and birth announcements.

Ultimately, being a family-owned community bank means our decisions are driven by relationships and not transactions. It's a responsibility we don't take lightly, and one we are proud to carry forward.

 ~Dirk R. Gasterland, CEO

Behind the Counter

Our tellers are often the first and most frequent connection customers have with Coulee Bank. This feature highlights the people behind the counter who make every interaction count. 


At the teller line, we sometimes see the early warning signs of scams. Universal Teller, John, at our Rochester branch shares a few situations customers should be aware of—and how to stay one step ahead of fraudsters.


Sweetheart Scams: Scammers pretend to be a romantic interest to gain your trust and trick you into sending money. If someone you've only met online is asking you to wire money or send gift cards, please talk to one of our tellers before you take action. We're not here to judge, we're here to help.

Targeting Vulnerable Adults: Scammers may manipulate seniors or other vulnerable adults by posing as a trusted person, such as a family member, a government agency, or tech support. They create a sense of urgency to pressure vulnerable adults into withdrawing or sending money. If something feels off, it's okay to slow down and ask us. We would rather you check with us first than regret it later.

High-Risk Accounts: Some individuals with a history of account issues at other banks may try to open new accounts, so our team stays alert to unusual activity. To protect our customers and our community, our team is trained to recognize unusual account activity. This helps us safeguard your money and maintain the trust that makes our bank a place where everyone can feel secure.

Fraudulent Checks: In one widespread scam, people receive fake checks that appear to come from real businesses, then get pressured into sending money back for things like 'equipment' or 'setup fees.' Our tellers watch for these to help keep your money safe. If you ever receive an unexpected check with a request to send money back, talk to one of our tellers before taking any action. We're here to help you spot the red flags and keep your money safe.

Build a banking relationship with the team in Rochester.

👀 Keep an eye out!

There’s a little Easter Egg 🥚 hidden in this month’s newsletter. Find it, and you could win a mini speaker that's perfect for home or the office.



To enter the drawing for the mini speaker, email marketing@couleebank.net, and let us know which article you found the Easter Egg in. One winner will be selected and notified via email on 4/10/2026.

Financial Literacy

Smart Ways to Spend (or Save) Your Refund

Is a tax refund coming your way? For many Americans, a tax refund is the largest single deposit they will see all year. It can be tempting to treat it as a bonus and spend it quickly, but with a little planning, your refund can do a lot more than just come and go. Here are some smart options. Click read more.

America Saves Week: Ways to Take Control of Your Finances

No matter where you are in life, just starting a career, raising a family, or winding down a career, your finances are yours to manage. That can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to. Taking ownership of your financial story doesn't require a degree in economics or a windfall of cash. It starts with small, honest steps: knowing where your money goes, building a cushion for the unexpected, and developing habits that add up over time. Here are simple ways to get started.

Organizational Accouncement

Strong leadership plays a key role in keeping Coulee Bank focused on serving our customers and communities. We are excited to introduce Dan Peters as our new Chief Financial Officer and look forward to the impact his leadership will bring.

Strong leadership is at the heart of Coulee Bank and plays a key role in delivering the personalized service and financial stability our customers count on. We are pleased to introduce our new Chief Financial Officer, Dan Peters, who recently stepped into this important role after serving as the Bank’s Controller since 2021.

Employee Spotlight

We are incredibly grateful for all of our employees. They work hard and make significant contributions that enrich our company culture. This month, we recognize Stephen Dahl, Mortgage Loan Servicing Specialist in Onalaska, WI.

Coulee Bank is proud to spotlight one of the dedicated team members who helps keep our operations running smoothly behind the scenes. As a Mortgage Loan Servicing Specialist, Stephen Dahl brings years of banking experience, a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for teamwork to the Loan Servicing department. Inspired early on by a family connection to banking, he built a career grounded in reliability, continuous learning, and a passion for helping both coworkers and customers succeed.

Customer Spotlight

A big thank-you to our amazing customers for trusting us with your banking needs! We’re so grateful for your loyalty and support. Here’s to many more years of growing together!

Customer Spotlight Linda Snouffer: A Printmaker's Prairie

Minnesota botanical printmaker Linda Snouffer sees more than marshy wetlands or grassy meadows; she sees a landscape worth celebrating. Working only during the growing season, she harvests grasses, ferns, yarrow, and wildflowers by hand, inks each blade or leaf, and presses them onto layered backgrounds of fiber dye, pastel, and watercolor to create nostalgic works of art that resonate with mostly forgotten everyday landscapes.

Coulee in the Community

Coulee Bank commits to workplace excellence and nurtures growth and support within the communities we consider home. We volunteer, empowered by the belief that we can create positive change!

Our Rochester team recently rolled up their sleeves alongside the incredible construction crew at Habitat for Humanity, helping bring a future home to life. From measuring and cutting drywall to securing it in place, the day was filled with teamwork, learning, and plenty of laughter.

The Habitat crew was knowledgeable, skilled, patient, and truly fun to work with — and the experience left a lasting impact on our employees as much as the work itself. We’re proud to support organizations that strengthen our communities and create opportunities for families to thrive.

Our Minnetonka team had the privilege of helping clean the facilities at Crescent Cove Respite & Hospice Home for Kids this week. Crescent Cove is a truly special place providing a vibrant, joyful home-away-from-home for children with life-threatening conditions. It was a small way to show up for families who are navigating so much.

Food Drive!

March Food Drive: March 1st – April 6th

Coulee Bank is proud to host a food drive supporting Neighbors, Inc. in the Twin Cities and Rochester Women’s Shelter, helping meet essential needs in our communities. Neighbors, Inc., which has served Dakota County since 1972 through a choice-based food market, is currently in need of the following items:



• Pancake mix
• Syrup
• Masa flour
• Canned meat

In Rochester, the Women’s Shelter relies heavily on snack items, including:

• Crackers
• Pudding cups
• Fruit cups
• Pretzels
• Microwave Popcorn
• Muffins

They can also use other individually packaged snacks to support residents throughout the day. Please remember to check expiration dates before donating. Together, we can support our neighbors with care and compassion.

*Stay tuned for another food drive in May that includes the Wisconsin region.

Celebrate!

Happy Birthday to our amazing Coulee Bank team members!

Here’s to another year filled with success, laughter, and great teamwork. Wishing you all the best on your special day—let’s celebrate!

Happy Workiversary to our amazing teammates!

It’s been an incredible journey with each of you. Your dedication, teamwork, and positive energy make all the difference. Here’s to many more years of success and growth together!

Disclaimer - All content contained in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to make any financial, accounting, tax, legal or other related decisions. Each person must consider his or her objectives, risk tolerances and level of comfort when making financial decisions and should consult a competent professional advisor prior to making any such decisions. Any opinions expressed through the content in this newsletter are the opinions of the particular author only.