Coulee Courier

Fall is a time of year when many of us reflect on this year’s accomplishments while preparing for cooler temperatures and the approaching holidays. At Coulee Bank, our employees give time and energy throughout the year, and recently we concluded our annual United Way fundraiser.

For the past 54 years, our team members have given their time and money to support United Way. A relationship that lasts this long means you are doing something right. United Way has been a pre-eminent organization in La Crosse, Rochester, and the Twin Cities for serving the community at large. We appreciate this partnership because United Way has so many outlets and connections that help meet the needs of our communities. They know where the biggest needs are and can allocate funds accordingly.

To a large degree, our employees have historically seen the value of the services offered by United Way, making them willing participants in the events, games, silent auctions, and other ways to donate money. We are grateful for our marketing and community involvement teams, who plan fundraising events that create fun, engaging ways to come together while donating money.

Coulee Bank matches the money earned during this fundraiser up to $10,000. Donating to United Way enables us to support more community partners than we could on our own. We appreciate their deep understanding of the community and their donation of money to help those in need.

I want to take a moment to thank employees past, present, and future who give their hard-earned dollars to such a worthy cause. Thank you to community members who have supported United Way throughout the years.

From all of us at Coulee Bank, we hope you enjoy the beautiful fall colors whether you are hiking, biking, boating, or taking Sunday drives. 

 ~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.

"Getting to watch our customers' kids become our customers is one of my favorite things. Getting included with them when they are kids / young adults and having them ask to work with us as an adult is a privilege. I always feel like being seen early as a trusted part of the family is a true blessing."

-Mark L.

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"Working at Coulee Bank has been fun for me. I enjoy listening to every customer’s story and what they are currently working towards.

My favorite customer interactions usually involve individuals who seem flustered or nervous when interacting with our front-line staff. The joy on their faces as we demystify banking and show them that we are normal, personable people is satisfying. It’s like making a new friend every time. I also love all the puppies that come into the bank with customers."

-Chen H.

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"My favorite customer interaction is watching how their lives unfold.

I get to witness life's changes in real time. A customer may say, “There are these puppies,” then photos of said puppies, a photo of THE puppy, and a visit from the puppy! And treats from the bankers!

Other times I’ve seen customers get engaged, get married, and then come in and open an account for their new baby.

I also love hearing our customers talk about how their businesses are growing. I enjoy hearing how they start with an idea, secure a business loan, share photos of the work and construction underway, and then tell me all about their grand opening."

-Kalie K.

Build a banking relationship with the team in St. Paul.

👀 Keep an eye out!

There’s a little Easter Egg 🥚 hidden in this month’s newsletter. Find it, and you could win a mini chopper that's perfect for chopping veggies for your favorite autumn stew.



To enter the drawing for the mini chopper, 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 10/16/2026.

Financial Literacy

IT Tips

New Hire Spotlight

Meet Christian Webb, Credit Analyst

We are pleased to introduce Christian Webb, Credit Analyst, to our Minnetonka branch. Webb hails from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout and studied Business Administration and Psychology.

Read More About Christian

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!

Nothing beats celebrating local traditions with our community!

Shoutout to our La Crosse Market President, Jodi Ehrenberger, for co-hosting the Maple Leaf Parade during Oktoberfest weekend. We are proud to have leaders who actively show up, support, and celebrate the Coulee Region.

Did you catch the broadcast or watch from the parade route?

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!

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.