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Behind every successful organization is a CEO who knows the importance of strong leadership. Surrounding yourself with exceptional leaders is non-negotiable for success and growth, especially during the annual strategic planning held in October.
The qualities I look for in a leader are those who are humble, hungry, and smart. Humility should be present in everyone. We are rarely the smartest person in the room even when we think we are. It’s better to take the time to listen than to speak because new knowledge can be gained with insight from others. I think a leader should also be hungry for knowledge. What I mean by hungry is that an effective leader should learn and grow to seek new development opportunities. Finally, leaders should be smart taking on new information and evolving with the organization.
For Coulee Bank, we look for people who work under a less strict management structure, are more autonomous, and are curious. Our leadership team are the subject matter experts who care about what they do and ultimately have ownership and discipline which means they don’t need to be micromanaged. They show up, and they do the work every single day.
In October, I was excited to bring the team together for our annual strategic planning meeting. To prepare for the meeting, each department lead completes a worksheet describing challenges and opportunities for the coming year. Each person is also responsible for bringing solutions to those challenges and opportunities. We do this under an overarching umbrella of better performance and growth. This approach will guide our decision-making processes, ensuring that every initiative we undertake contributes to our long-term vision of success and stability.
During this meeting, we discussed the past year and ultimately the direction we would like to see moving forward. The banking industry has seen substantial challenges in the past year, so we are moving forward with the mindset of how each department contributes to our improvement.
The hope for 2025 is that interest rates will continue to fall, and we will see more banking activity. People will be eager to purchase homes and business owners will be ready to expand with lower interest rates.
~Dirk Gasterland, CEO
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Don’t Get Snowed by Scammers This Holiday Season
Protect your money, your purchases, and your identity by avoiding these holiday scams
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Criminals are getting smarter and more aggressive when it comes to holiday scams. It’s important to stay vigilant as you shop for holiday gifts or give to charitable organizations. Here are common scams and ways to avoid them.
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Comprehensive Guide to VA Home Loans | |
A VA loan is an excellent mortgage option available through a program by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It's specifically designed for active and veteran service members and their surviving spouses. The loans are backed by the federal government but issued through private lenders, which provides flexibility and accessibility. One of the standout features of VA loans is their favorable terms, often requiring little to no down payment along with competitive interest rates.
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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
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The Benefits of Thrifting as a Side Hustle
Make extra money for this holiday season
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Buying holiday gifts can be challenging if you don’t have the extra cash. You may want to consider thrifting as a side hustle. You can work at your own pace, recirculate items, and earn money.
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Understanding and Protecting Against Phishing, Smishing, and Quishing
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Phishing, smishing, and quishing are increasingly prevalent forms of cyber-attacks that exploit unsuspecting individuals. Each method uses different channels to deceive people into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers, which can be used for malicious purposes.
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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. | |
At Coulee Bank, our core value of SERVE guides everything we do. We are dedicated to serving our communities and fellow employees with intentional decisions that truly make a difference. Team Rochester did not disappoint. They cooked and served sloppy joes, mac and cheese, corn, and ice cream to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Way to Go! | |
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A huge shoutout to Jodi Ehrenberger, SVP Business Banking Officer at Coulee Bank and board member who serves as treasurer of the Women's Fund of Greater La Crosse! Ehrenberger recently attended the Women's Fund Fall Luncheon where Shailee Basnet was the keynote speaker.
Basnet isn’t just an intrepid adventurer; she’s a visionary leader who has conquered the world's tallest peaks and is now uplifting female survivors of human trafficking and abuse through transformative leadership treks in the Himalayas.
Her stories of resilience left everyone inspired and ready to take on new challenges. Thank you, Jodi, for your commitment to empowering women in our community!
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Once a year for Unity Day, all employees at Coulee Bank gather to be inspired, learn, and have a little fun. Jerrid Sebesta, a keynote speaker, spoke to employees and encouraged everyone to "shine their light!" Essentially, live life to the fullest! Sebesta, a powerful speaker, discussed how to live authentically by “playing offense instead of defense," he exclaimed.
Not only did employees get to listen to his profound ways of thinking but Coulee Bank purchased a copy of his new book for every employee. His book, Life Undeferred, is launching November 19, 2024. After his talk, employees engaged in customer service training, and later, some fun at Bowlocity in Rochester, MN. It was a fabulous day!
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We are excited to welcome Isabella Zimmer to the Coulee Bank team. Isabella goes by Bella and has lived in Onalaska her entire life. She attended Irving Pertzsch Elementary School and Onalaska Middle School. She graduated from Onalaska High School last May. Bella says she is trying to find her place in the workforce. “I chose not to attend college, and I have had a couple of jobs since graduating high school, but they weren’t a good fit,” she says.
Bella was excited when she saw the Universal Teller position at Coulee Bank. She believes this is the fresh start she needs. She says, “I’m looking forward to a new environment and meeting new people.”
Because Bella grew up with older siblings, she has always been influenced by their maturity and believes it has helped her become more mature at such a young age. Her older sister lives in Eau Claire and is studying Business Management. Bella looks up to her sister because of her strong work ethic.
Her brother still lives in the area which brings her great happiness because they see each other more often. She looks up to her brother because he has found his passion in life. He works for their uncle at Grease Lightning in Onalaska!
Family is important to Bella. She says her favorite travel destination is Warrens, WI. Their whole family travels to Warrens for a camping trip each year. “It’s amazing to be in the same place with people you love!”
As for her favorite childhood memory, she recalls waking up on Christmas morning and walking down the stairs to open presents. Afterward, the family would watch cartoons and eat cinnamon rolls!
We wish Bella much success and happiness in her new role as Universal Teller at Coulee Bank!
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We love a reason to celebrate with our colleagues! | |
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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!
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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!
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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! | |
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We are excited to spotlight Coulee Bank’s customer Niebuhr Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning located in the La Crosse, WI area.
Over the years, Niebuhr Plumbing & Heating has evolved from its humble beginnings into a cornerstone of the local community, providing essential services with a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. This long-standing company has built a reputation for reliability and expertise, ensuring that every job is completed with the utmost care.
The company originally began as Fetter – Baker – Niebuhr Co. in 1900 and changed its name to Baker & Niebuhr in 1910, later becoming Niebuhr Plumbing Co. in 1927. After Henry Niebuhr's passing, Rollie Niebuhr’s father, Walter Niebuhr, took over the business. In 1987, the Niebuhr family handed the reins to Rollie, who led the company until June 2016, when new owners took over. Currently, Steve King, Steve Barg, and Mike Kies own the company.
The Niebuhr Plumbing & Heating team provides comprehensive services to ensure your home's systems are safe, efficient, and affordable. Their offerings include residential and light commercial plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and ductwork for new construction, remodeling, and general repairs. What sets them apart is their ability to handle most service calls within the same day or the following day. They are the only business in the Coulee Region that offers both residential plumbing and HVAC services all under one roof.
Niebuhr Plumbing & Heating not only offers a wide range of services but also employs top-notch staff. Their team demonstrates honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic in every job they undertake. Additionally, they treat both customers and co-workers with respect.
Niebuhr Plumbing & Heating has been a customer of Coulee Bank for decades. When the new owners took over, they decided to maintain their relationship with Coulee Bank because the staff had always been helpful with their banking needs. Whenever they have questions, Coulee Bank provides the answers they seek and is friendly and easy to work with.
Thank you for choosing to work with Coulee Bank. We are incredibly grateful for your business.
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"I just went in to renew a CD that had matured. I was quite satisfied. The young man who helped me gave me valuable information that helped me make a decision. He was courteous and polite and actually remembered my wife's name. He made the whole process simple and easy. I find the bank quite convenient to work with. What I like best about banking with Coulee is they have good rates right now."
~Kenneth K.
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I had just taken out a home loan with my previous bank and had a horrible experience. I was referred by someone else to Coulee Bank so that is why I came to your bank. I came in and was taken care of right away. It was a swift and smooth process, it was very hassle-free. I would one million percent refer Coulee Bank to others and already have done so. I don't need anything else right now but if I do I will let you know. I don't think you need to improve, I had an amazing experience and I think you gave exceptional service.
~Rachel R.
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Financially Free Gen-Z Podcast | | |
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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. | | |
Tune in to the newest episode featuring Joshua and Rachel as they delve into 'The Craft of Compound Interest.' This episode offers insights from Cal Christensen, SVP, Business Banking Officer, on optimizing your finances. | |
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. | | | | |
