Coulee Courier

We’re kicking off summer by celebrating Grand Old Day. Each year, we participate in a decades-long street fair. Look for our booth right outside our Grand Avenue location, where we’ll be handing out refreshing water to attendees.


St. Paul, a distinctive city in the Twin Cities, is comprised of many smaller communities within the area. Grand Avenue has a long history of connecting the diverse neighborhoods of St. Paul, particularly those in the Summit and Cathedral Hill areas. Over the past decade, Grand Avenue has experienced some challenges, but it seems to be rebounding. Since its inception in 1973, it has fostered community spirit and economic growth. There was a three-year hiatus during the pandemic, but it has returned stronger than ever. In the past two years, people have been returning and investing in the Avenue. With the attendance at Grand Old Day, this celebration is a fantastic way to support the community and small businesses on the Avenue.


Personally, summer has always been about spending time outside and making the most of the sunshine. When our kids were younger, we explored parks and lakes, taking in each moment of warmth. Now that our kids are older, we spend a lot of time boating and in our swimming pool. This time of year is a great time to reconnect with friends, neighbors, and clients after a long, cold winter.


Summer marks a busy time for seasonal workers. We have several clients whose businesses include landscaping, home construction projects, pool maintenance, and vacation and tourism. We are truly proud to support these businesses and make the most of the short, vibrant months of summer.


We hope to see you at Grand Old Day! Enjoy the summer sun and all it brings.


 ~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. 


In honor of Father's Day, we're sharing a few "Dad Jokes." You can also find more like these if you visit our branch on Losey Boulevard. Special thanks to Eva P., Universal Teller in La Crosse, for sharing some good, clean humor.


~Why was Cinderella so bad at soccer?

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Because she kept running away from the ball!


~Why did the golfer take two pairs of pants to the course?

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In case he got a hole in one!


~Why can’t dogs operate MRI machines?

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Because only catscan!


Build a banking relationship with the team in La Crosse.

👀 Keep an eye out!


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



To enter the drawing for the wireless charging pad, 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 6/12/2026.


Financial Literacy

Celebrating National Homeownership Month: Three Benefits of Owning a Home


Our homes are more than a structure to reside in. According to a 2025 Gallup survey, real estate is one of the best investments you can make. Not only does real estate help build wealth, but it also provides comfort, security, and the ability to personalize. Many people who own a home also find they are more invested in their community.


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Turn Your Ideas into Income: Summer Jobs for Young Entrepreneurs


As summer approaches, high school and post-high school students find themselves with a unique opportunity to explore entrepreneurial ventures that can shape their futures. Whether you're looking to earn some extra cash, gain valuable experience, or turn a passion into a profitable business, summer is the perfect time to dive into the world of entrepreneurship. 


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IT Tips

Protect Yourself from Moving Scams This Summer


Summer is one of the busiest seasons for moving, and that increased activity can also attract scammers looking to take advantage of people during a stressful life event. 


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Employee Spotlight

We are so excited to tell you a little bit more about Business Banking Specialist (BBS), Andi Jansen. She attended college in Mankato. During her senior year, she worked at a small community bank as a Teller. After graduation, she had an opportunity to work as a Teller at a large financial institution and found it wasn’t the best fit. Jansen briefly worked at an insurance company and soon returned to a smaller bank where she worked for five years in private and professional services. 


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Customer Spotlight

Crafting Cool Experiences: The Minnesota Ice Journey


In the world of business, Minnesota Ice stands out by transforming ice into a form of art that enhances every experience. The company leads in the Midwest with its specialty in artisan cocktail ice, ice sculptures, and elaborate ice events. We chatted with Robbie Harrel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Minnesota Ice, to discuss the journey, highlighting inspiration, challenges, achievements like a Guinness World Record, and how Coulee Bank supports their growth.


Coulee Bank (CB): Tell us the story behind Minnesota Ice. How did the business begin, and what inspired you to specialize in artisan cocktail ice, ice sculptures, and ice events?



Robbie Harrel (RH): Minnesota Ice started with a simple idea: ice could be more than a commodity. It could be part of the experience.


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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!

Join us at Grand Old Day in St. Paul on June 7th!

Visit us at Grand Old Day on June 7th in St. Paul.

This is Coulee Bank's third year volunteering at Paws and Claws Humane Society in Rochester. Each year, we help them prep for their annual rummage sale, one of their largest fundraisers! We are always rewarded with a little time with the animals!


Visit them at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday!


💠Saturday, June 6th: 7 am to 4 pm

💠Sunday, June 7th: 8 am to 12 pm


We wish you lots of success at the rummage sale Paws and Claws!


Paws and Claws Website

Great work, Team Wisconsin! Our team in Wisconsin collected 216 jars of peanut butter for Wafer Food Pantry during the most recent food drive!

Great work, Team St. Paul! You collected 77 jars of peanut butter during our food drive!

Our St. Paul Team getting nutty for the peanut butter drive.

Celebrate!

This month, we take a moment to celebrate the dedicated individuals who make Coulee Bank a wonderful place to work. We are thrilled to wish a very happy birthday to our colleagues who are turning a year older this month.

At Coulee Bank, we believe in celebrating the dedication and hard work of our team members. Their commitment to serving our customers with excellence and care is what defines us. Today, we are thrilled to acknowledge and celebrate the workiversaries of some of our valued colleagues.

Behind the Scenes Videos!

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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.