|
|
Creating a strong culture at Coulee Bank is important to me. A strong culture ensures our employees feel cared for and, in turn, are better able to care for our clients. One way I work to be a better leader and person is through reading. Reading has many benefits: it helps maintain focus, stimulates creativity, reduces stress, provides entertainment, and offers knowledge while teaching us empathy and different perspectives.
For me, I subscribe to two forms of reading: one is for business and leadership, and one is purely for entertainment. Some of my go-to leadership authors are Patrick Lencioni, Jim Collins, and Malcolm Gladwell. One of Lencioni's most popular books pertains to leading in a group dynamic. Ultimately, the daily choices we make are not about getting our work done, but how we interact as a team. My goal is to learn how to be the most effective leader I can be, and Lencioni’s writing is powerful because he blends real-life situations about leading an organization and leading your life.
I also believe it’s important to read for entertainment. It truly activates your imagination and allows you to decompress from stressful events throughout your day. There are a handful of authors I return to time and again: Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy, John Grisham, and Clive Cussler. In Clive’s books, his main character’s name is Dirk Pitt. I don’t often see that name, so it intrigued me, and I have grown to appreciate his work. Most of these authors explore military and wartime experiences along with high-stakes intrigue that keeps me turning the pages.
One of my favorite childhood book series is The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. As an adult, I reread the series and had a greater appreciation for the imagery used in the stories as well as the subtle parallels to faith woven throughout. I decided to read these stories to all my children, so these books have become very meaningful in our family.
I truly wish you much happiness this summer and hope you can take some time for yourself to learn, relax, and be inspired by books.
~Dirk R. Gasterland, CEO
| | |
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.
Our Retail Banking Manager, Audra J., shared just how special our front-line team is:
They know you by name, know your children, ask about your hobbies, and have truly built meaningful relationships with our customers. They’re always looking out for your best interests.
Recently, Eva set the perfect example; she recognized a customer just by their car and started preparing their transaction before they even reached the drive‑thru drawer. It’s those thoughtful, personal touches that make banking at Coulee feel like visiting friends, not just running an errand.
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 mini lantern that's perfect for camping trips or an evening outdoors.
To enter the drawing for the mini lantern, 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 8/14/2026.
| | |
The College Essentials You Can’t Buy in a Store: A Real Budget
Some of the most important college essentials never show up on a packing list. A real, working budget covers more than textbooks and meal plans; it has to account for subscriptions, everyday choices, and the unexpected. When families talk openly about who covers what and what truly counts as an emergency, students are more prepared and less stressed when things don’t go as planned.
Read More
| | | |
Buying a home comes with a lot of opinions, stories, and “rules” that aren’t always true.
Let’s sort through some of the most common mortgage myths so you can feel more confident about what it really takes to become a homeowner—whether it’s your first place or you’re getting back into the market after a few years.
Read More
| | | | | | |
Three Smart Ways to
Protect Your Business
Cybersecurity does not always require a complicated new system. Sometimes, the most effective improvements come from reviewing the everyday ways your business sends money, grants access, and responds to unexpected requests.
Here are three practical steps your business can take to reduce its risk.
Read More
| | | | |
We are pleased to recognize Scott Leo as our Employee Spotlight. Inspired by his father’s career in commercial banking, Scott majored in finance in college and began his career as a collateral (credit) analyst at a financial institution in Minneapolis. During his tenure, he strengthened credit policies and procedures, giving the institution forward momentum and positioning him for new opportunities.
Read More
| | | |
Happy National Book Lovers Day!
In honor of National Book Day, Coulee Bank employees share their favorite books, genres, authors, and reading habits—from historical fiction and thrillers to nonfiction, mystery, and sci‑fi.
You’ll hear where they love to read, how they get their books, and the childhood stories that first made them fall in love with reading. It’s a fun, personal look at the diverse reading lives of our team and a celebration of how books connect our Coulee Bank community.
Read More
| | |
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! | | |
Measure twice. Cut once.
177 volunteers came together to complete 29 projects across La Crosse, including hanging drywall, cutting boards, and constructing homes at a Habitat for Humanity site. Our La Crosse team was right there in the mix, putting in the work to help build a stronger community.
| | |
Coulee gals are tougher than the weeds!
This week, a few ladies from the Rochester branch teamed up with Family Service Rochester to tackle some serious yard work. The before-and-after photos are just TWO hours apart — proof that a little teamwork can make a big difference in our community.
Here’s to strong women who enjoy a little hard work and helping our neighbors thrive.
| | Help us send students back to school ready to learn. Coulee Bank is collecting school supplies now through August 14th. Drop your donations at any of our branches and make a local difference. | |
La Crosse Shred Event
Join us for a *FREE* Shred Day on Friday, August 7th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Coulee Bank La Crosse Branch (1516 Losey Blvd. S., La Crosse, WI 54601).
Confidential Records will be on-site shredding your documents. Bring up to three (3) boxes per vehicle. Non-bank customers are welcome!
Onalaska Shred Event
Join us for a *FREE* Shred Day on Friday, August 14th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Coulee Bank Onalaska Branch (590 Theater Rd., Onalaska, WI 54650).
Confidential Records will be on-site shredding your documents. Bring up to three (3) boxes per vehicle. Non-bank customers are welcome!
| | 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! | | 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. | | | | |
