Financial Confidence Starts Here

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As we transition from summer into the fall season, it’s an opportune time to recognize the value of supporting the communities where we live and work. Local businesses are the backbone of a strong economy, and the choices we make as consumers directly impact their ability to grow and thrive. This month, I’d like to share my perspective on the importance of shopping locally and the positive difference it makes for our communities.

Coulee Bank has been part of the La Crosse community since 1961. From the very beginning, our mission has included providing funding for local businesses to help strengthen the region. As we’ve grown into Rochester and the Twin Cities, that commitment has remained the same. Small businesses are vital to community success, and we’re proud to stand beside them.

We offer a variety of financing solutions to meet businesses where they are, whether that’s a commercial real estate loan, equipment financing, or a line of credit to help cover payroll during busy seasons. On the savings side, we provide tools such as sweep accounts, money markets, and CDs. No matter the stage of a business, startup, growing, or mature, we’re here for the entire cycle of that relationship.

When new businesses open, they don’t just meet demand; they create momentum. A thriving business can spark competition, innovation, and additional opportunities within the community. Whether it’s auto repair, roofing, dentistry, or dining, no single business can meet every need. Together, they contribute to a stronger local economy. At Coulee Bank, we are proud to invest in businesses of all sizes so that our communities can flourish.

Supporting local also extends beyond banking. This year, we are once again proud to partner with Oktoberfest by sponsoring the broadcast of the Maple Leaf Parade. Oktoberfest began the same year we did—1961. Together, we’ve been part of La Crosse traditions for 64 years. We also recently wrapped up our Stuff the Bus and school supply drives, collecting thousands of items to help students start the school year with confidence.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of my favorite ways to support local—enjoying local restaurants and bakeries in our area. A few of my go-tos include Willy McCoys and Sake Sushi near my home, as well as North Coop and Olive’s Pizza in Excelsior. Every meal is another reminder of the talent, creativity, and dedication of our local business owners.

At Coulee Bank, we believe that when local businesses succeed, our communities succeed. Thank you for continuing to support them and for allowing us the privilege of serving you.

~Dirk Gasterland, CEO

Spotlight on Deon Oden – Helping Families Achieve Homeownership

This month, we’re launching a four-part Meet the Mortgage Team series, giving you a closer look at the people behind the process. First up is Deon Oden from our Rochester branch, who shared insights into his 29-year career in the mortgage industry.

Reach out to Kris Farwell and her team if you are ready to purchase a home.

Coulee Bank. Bank with Confidence. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS#410835

Coulee Bank has branches in Minnesota and Wisconsin and is excited to offer lending in all 50 states.

Reach out to Kris Farwell and her team if you are ready to purchase a home.

Coulee Bank. Bank with Confidence. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS#410835

Finding Balance: From Big Spender to Mindful Shopper

Understanding your money personality can greatly impact how you manage finances. Each personality has its strengths and weaknesses, and recognizing them can help develop a more balanced and effective approach to financial management. The five money personalities are: the Shopper, the Saver, the Debtor, the Investor, and the Big Spender. We talked with a few of our employees to create this 5-part series. Last month, we featured an article about the Investor Personality. This month, we are featuring the Big Spender Personality.

For many people, a relationship with money doesn’t come naturally, especially if they haven’t been taught from an early age. Money habits can often be learned the hard way. Brianna Kane, Business Banking Assistant in our St. Paul market, describes her own journey as “recovering.”

Meals That Make Sense: Dining Out Without Breaking the Bank

Everyday expenses can add up quickly, especially when dining out becomes a regular habit. Whether you're grabbing lunch between meetings or treating your family to dinner, it’s easy to overspend without realizing it. But with a few smart strategies, you can enjoy great meals without stressing your budget. Here are a few practical tips to help you dine out more affordably.

Tips from IT

Digital Declutter: Give Your Tech a Fresh Start

Over time, our digital lives can become just as cluttered as our closets or garages. Old files, forgotten apps, and a crowded inbox don’t just take up space — they can slow you down, make it harder to find what you need, and even create security risks.

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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! You can be confident in our efforts to support the community.

Shred Event Success!

We had an amazing turnout at our recent Community Shred Events!

St. Paul – 3,500 pounds shredded

Rochester – 1,300 pounds shredded

La Crosse – 2,500 pounds shredded

Onalaska - 2,000 pounds shredded

That's 8,000 pounds of paper shredded. Not only did we help folks safely dispose of their confidential documents, but together we also collected a generous amount of school supplies to support local students as they head back to class.

Thank you for showing up, giving back, and helping us make a difference in our communities.

Jodi Ehrenberger, Market President in La Crosse talks about our back to school drive.

Team Coulee Bank sponsored the “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive in Onalaska!

Our Market President in La Crosse, Jodi Ehrenberger, and the team were out collecting supplies to help local students start the year strong.

Thank you to everyone who donated! You’re making a big difference for kids in our community!

Financial Food Drive: A Huge Success!

We were honored to join 9 other local financial institutions in this year’s Financial Food Drive to support Wafer Food Pantry—and the results were incredible!

Coulee Bank alone donated 1004 boxes of pasta
Each one went directly to 1004 households in our community
All donations have already been distributed, making an immediate impact

A big thank you to Erin and the team at Wafer for organizing such a meaningful effort. We had a blast connecting with our fellow financial professionals, talking about what went well, and dreaming up improvements for next year.

Teaming Up to End Homelessness

Coulee Bank was proud to sponsor the 6th Annual “Putting an End to Homelessness” golf outing at the end of July, at The Golf Club at Cedar Creek.

Thanks to incredible community support, the event raised over $30,000 for Couleecap’s Homeless Programs—making a real impact for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our area.

We’re grateful to be part of a mission that uplifts and supports our neighbors. Thank you, Couleecap, for your dedication and for letting us be part of the solution!

Team Rochester Lending a Hand!

Our Rochester crew spent some time giving back to the community by helping with yard work for a local family, supporting Family Service Rochester’s mission.

Since 1965, Family Service Rochester has been enhancing the dignity and quality of life for individuals and families across 13 counties with 30+ programs—and our team is proud to pitch in, even in small ways, to make a big difference.

Camp Decorah

This week, one of our employees returned to Camp Decorah in La Crosse to teach K–5th graders about savings, hard work, and the pride of reaching a goal! Through stories, games, and real-life scenarios, the kids explored needs vs. wants, set a $100 savings goal, and learned how teamwork and fundraising support the Scouting community. What an inspiring day with some very bright future savers!

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 Su Vang, Mortgage Loan Officer, Onalaska, WI.

At Coulee Bank, doing the right thing for our clients and colleagues starts with people like Su Vang, Mortgage Loan Officer in Onalaska.

Vang always knew he was social and loved working with people, which first led him to a job as a server at Dublin Square, where he sharpened his communication skills. He spent several years in the restaurant industry before the birth of his son, Louie, which inspired a new direction. “My biggest inspiration is my son, Louie,” Vang shares. “After he was born, I realized I needed to go back to school and find a more stable career to support him. He’s taught me so much about myself. Love that little guy—he’s 7 now.” Vang later attended college to study sales management.

He began his banking career at a credit union, where he was first introduced to the mortgage industry. That initial spark of interest eventually brought him to Coulee Bank, where he’s grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow, even though he started with limited experience in the field.

“In my role at Coulee Bank, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a wide range of people and making homeownership a reality for them,” Vang explains. “This industry is incredibly complex and requires me to think creatively while understanding underwriting processes and guidelines. It’s important to be resourceful and leverage those guidelines to benefit the customer. This approach is key to successfully reaching the closing table!”

For those looking to buy a home, Vang recommends starting with a budget. Determine your needs and wants, decide on a location, check your credit score, and ask plenty of questions along the way—so there are no surprises at the closing table.

Outside of work, Vang enjoys music, podcasts, and collecting hats. He makes it a tradition to pick up a new hat from every new golf course or city he visits. His playlists change with his mood: sometimes it’s sports or educational podcasts, other times it’s a mix of nearly every genre of music (except country!). When it comes to food, Italian tops the list, and his go-to meal is parmesan-crusted chicken served over pesto cavatappi.

Su Vang, we are so glad you chose to work at Coulee Bank, and we wish you much success in your mortgage career. Thank you for bringing passion and knowledge to work every day.

Customer Spotlight

Thank you to our AMAZING customers for choosing us for all your banking needs! We are grateful for your loyalty, support, and trust in our products and services. Here's to many more years of building a strong relationship together!

Tammy’s Place Welcomes Every Patron Like Family

Tammy Dee, co-owner of Tammy’s Place, started working in restaurants at age 14. She has done everything from washing dishes to bussing and serving tables, and in doing so, she discovered a true passion for the service industry. She loves people of all ages, which is why it was essential for her to create an atmosphere that evokes a down-to-earth vibe, offering exceptional food cooked and served by friendly staff in a clean and comfortable environment.

Before owning Tammy’s Place, Dee owned Tilly’s Restaurant for about five years. When the rent and property taxes increased, she and her husband, Travis, chose to pursue other options, and that’s when they opened Tammy’s Place. They purchased the current building, and they’ve been open about two and a half years, and Tammy has never been happier. Her outgoing, bubbly personality thrives in the fast-paced environment, where she takes pleasure in chatting with customers to ensure they receive the best possible service and enjoy the finest food and drink. Her goal is to make customers feel like friends and family. Many of her chefs even take a short break from cooking to come out and mingle with guests.

Tammy and Travis work well together. While Tammy is usually the one interacting with all the customers, Travis tends to be more behind the scenes. He pays the bills, visits Coulee Bank to make deposits, and is a true handyman when things need to be fixed.

Their menu strikes a balance—classic staples that everyone loves, paired with daily specials that bring bold, memorable flavors. Some customer favorites include:

Unique menu items

· First-timer favorite: Chipotle Steak Quesadilla

· Monte Cristo

· Philly Wrap or the Philly Sandwich

· Buffalo Chicken Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

Seafood options

· Cod Fish Bowl

· Cajun Fish with Lettuce, Rice, and Chipotle Mayo

· Shrimp

Homemade soups (made from scratch by Cindy)

· Chicken Wild Rice

· Beef Stroganoff

· French Onion

· Stuffed Green Pepper

· Creamy Chicken & Vegetable

· Cheesy Broccoli

· Chicken Corn Chowder

· Turkey Corn Chowder

· Clam Chowder

· Chili

· Vegetable Beef

· “Crack” Chicken Noodle

· Classic Chicken Noodle

Customer favorite drinks

· Recognized for their Minnesota Maple Old Fashion

· Margaritas (Prickly Pear, Black Raspberry)

· “Just Ducky” – topped with a rubber duck (Blue Curacao, Pineapple Juice, and Vodka)

· Espresso Martini

Tammy and Travis express their gratitude to the Kasson community and the surrounding communities for their support. The lunch and dinner rush includes people from local businesses, school staff members, and families coming in before or after a sporting event. Tammy’s Place is successful because Dee gets it. People are busy. She wants to ensure patrons can enter the restaurant and feel right at home. It’s comfortable, clean, and even has highchairs for the little ones.

In return, Tammy and Travis support the community by donating to the schools, providing silent auction items for fundraisers, and simply offering consistent, good-quality comfort food and unique drinks at a good price. Because of Tammy’s hard work and generosity, she was voted into the local Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and they nominated her as businessperson of the year.

The humble and hardworking couple were referred to Coulee Bank by a friend. They appreciate Matt Nigbur, Rochester’s Market President, because he quickly responded to all their needs. “We got a good feeling right away,” she says. “They know us by name, and one time, Travis didn’t make his weekly trip to the bank, so they called to make sure everything was okay!” Coulee Bank employees even make sure to pay a visit to Tammy’s Place to support the business.

Travis and Tammy have since moved other personal accounts to Coulee Bank because the interest rates were better. She said they were also grateful to Coulee Bank when they purchased new glassware. “They partnered with us, and our glassware has the Coulee Bank logo on it!” She exclaimed.

If you are looking for a new restaurant to try, visit them in Kasson, MN. They are open Tuesday through Sunday, starting at 11:00 am. Tammy’s Place also offers Takeout, Curbside Pickup, or In-store Pickup.

We love a reason to celebrate with our colleagues!

Happy Birthday to all our amazing Coulee Bank co-workers!

Here's to another year of hard work, laughter, and teamwork. Wishing you all the best on your special day. Let's make it a celebration to remember!

Happy Work-i-versary to our amazing colleagues!

It's been an incredible journey with each and every one of you. Your hard work, dedication, and positive energy make our team unstoppable. Here's to many more years of success and growth together!

Customer Testimonials

"I am very satisfied with the good customer service I get at Coulee Bank. The hours and location are very convenient for me, and the mobile app is simple to use."

~Kabir Z.

"I was just conducting a transaction at the teller window inside the bank. The lady who helped me is always friendly, and I always go to her. I have used Coulee Bank for years. When I go shopping, the bank is in the district where I shop. The online and mobile banking are very easy to use, the bank has a hometown feel, and everyone is always friendly."

Douglas T.

"I have used your bank since 2019, have always had excellent service no matter what services I needed. Thanks!"

~Marianne G.

"The staff at the Grand Avenue branch are outstanding, and I am so glad that we have the bank in our neighborhood."

~Jennifer M.

"I needed to cash a check at a teller window inside the bank. The customer service was excellent, and the lady who assisted me was very accommodating. The location is very convenient, and the staff are friendly."

~Michael N.

Financially Free Gen-Z Podcast

Join your hosts, Rachel Munger and Joshua Herrmann, as they discuss the financial questions and topics prevalent to Generation Z. This podcast is brought to you by Coulee Bank. Member FDIC.

Season 3

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