Coulee Courier

It’s hard to believe that it’s May, and this time of year, many Minnesotans are either planning upcoming vacations or taking them. Whether you are road-tripping up north or across the country, I wish you safe travels. Before you dive into this edition of the newsletter, I wanted to take a moment to share a memorable road trip I took back in college.

During my senior year of college, nine friends and I planned a trip to the Bahamas. To get to the Bahamas, we chose to road trip from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Miami, Florida, to catch a flight to the Bahamas – a 20-hour trip.

To make this road trip, we rented a nine-passenger van. When I went to pick up the van we had reserved, the rental company didn’t have it, so we were stuck with a minivan. All of us had to repack our belongings to fit into the rented luggage topper. The repacking process added about four hours to our prep time, putting us behind schedule! We got on the road as quickly as possible.

Since my friend and I pulled an all-nighter to finalize preparations for the trip, we opted not to be the drivers. We started our road trip, and I quickly fell asleep. I slept for quite a while until the minivan came to a stop. I woke up, and it was completely dark. There were no lights anywhere. I asked the girl who was driving so I could find out where we were. She started crying and admitted she had no idea. Keep in mind, this was before cell phones or the internet. I had to get out of the van and use the stars to determine which way to drive! There was literally nothing around us!

Eventually, we determined we were in Texas – not where we needed to be. Since we were so off-course, you can imagine we may have had to drive a little above the speed limit to arrive in Miami on time. By the time we reached the airport in Miami, we had 20 minutes before our plane was supposed to take off. Fortunately, one of my friends traveling with us ran inside to discover our flight had been delayed. We made it! We were able to catch our flight to the Bahamas and had a great trip!

This is definitely not my favorite road trip, but it is my most memorable one. As you read on, hopefully, our colleagues at Coulee Bank can share road trips that are a bit more fun!



 ~Dirk Gasterland, CEO

Understanding Rising Homeowners Insurance Premiums: Causes and Strategies

Homeowners across the United States are facing a concerning trend: a significant rise in insurance premiums. This increase is not just a temporary spike but is expected to continue in the coming years. Understanding the factors driving this trend can help homeowners navigate these changes and make informed decisions about their insurance policies.

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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

Discover Your Money Personality: A Guide to Financial Success

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 Big Spender, the Investor, and the Debtor. We talked with a few of our employees to create this 5-part series. This month, we are featuring the Shopper Personality. 

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Understanding Student Loan Debt: Test Your Knowledge on Loans and Repayment Strategies

Whether you're about to embark on your college journey or have just graduated, navigating this exciting phase of life can be both thrilling and daunting. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your college experience or transition smoothly into the post-college world.



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Tips from IT

Watch Out for 'Pharming' and 'Dumpster Diving': Two Silent Threats to Your Online and Physical Security

Brought to you by Coulee Bank – Bank with Confidence

At Coulee Bank, protecting your financial security is a top priority. While digital scams are becoming more advanced, some criminals still rely on surprisingly low-tech methods to steal your personal information. This month, we want to raise awareness of two lesser-known—but very real—threats: pharming and dumpster diving.

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May 23rd marks National Road Trip Day, a celebration of open roads, scenic vistas, and the thrill of adventure. We asked our employees to share their favorite road trips, and here's what they had to say:

If you are looking for vintage charm, make a stop at Two Harbors at the Tipsy Mosquito. They offer fun drinks and bites to eat!

The Garrick's final destination was at Aqua Norte, four miles north of Grand Marais. She says they stayed at Tranquilo Cabin. It features stunning views of Lake Superior, where you can explore the cold and ice! It's also a wonderful location to rest and relax.

South Dakota Motorcycle Road Trip

Maureen Stark and her husband had quite the adventure last summer. It was their first year going to Sturgis. She and her husband gathered with several bikers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. From there, they rode their motorcycles to Whitewood, South Dakota. It was a chilly start to the day, yet they rode on. When they arrived in Sturgis, South Dakota, the temperature had risen to 117 degrees.

They decided to pull off at a gas station to buy jugs of water to dump on themselves. She says, “They were watering the grass at the gas station when we arrived. The employee of the gas station watched as we drenched ourselves, and he invited us to run through their sprinklers. We took full advantage of that!”

In Whitewood, they stayed at a hotel geared for bikers called the Ironhorse Inn. The hotel offered a bar called the I-Bar. The bar featured outdoor seating, great cocktails, bar games, and a comedian performed during their stay.

Their adventure continued with a scenic drive along Needles Highway and a visit to the iconic Mount Rushmore. The following day, they stopped at several places, including Devils Tower. Their next stop was the Gas Monkey Bar and Grill, which boasts Texas Roadhouse-style favorites!

Their journey took them through the picturesque Spearfish Canyon, back along the Needles Highway, and on to see Crazy Horse. The next day, they continued with an exploration of the rugged beauty of the Badlands. However, the return journey unleashed a fierce storm with hail and tornado-like conditions. “Visibility was low, and communication in our headsets was cut off for what seemed like forever,” says Stark. After a harrowing 10 minutes of potential tornadoes, they retreated to Sickies Garage Burgers and Brews for burgers. Stark says, “We returned to Whitewood, the storm subsided, and the sun reappeared, ending our crazy ride on a high note! While I would love to road trip to Sturgis on the motorcycle again, I can do without the erratic weather conditions!”

Exploring Galena, Illinois: A Perfect Girls' Weekend Getaway



Amy Bauer, Chief Human Resources Officer, shares her delightful experience of a low-key girls' weekend in Galena. The journey began in La Crosse, where the group drove along the scenic Great River Road. "Even though our trip was in early June, I can only imagine how stunning the countryside would be in the fall," Bauer reflects.

Their adventure took them through the Driftless Region, passing quaint towns like Viroqua and Boscobel. It was a beautiful drive filled with steep hills and deep valleys. "At one point, it felt like we were driving through the middle of someone's farmland," she laughs. A highlight of the drive was a stop at Carr Valley Cheese near Fennimore, where they savored fresh cheese curds, still warm from the production line.

Upon reaching Galena, the group visited the historic downtown. "Earth's Treasures was definitely a favorite," says Bauer, who enjoyed creating custom jewelry pieces. She laughed and said she spent way too much time and money handpicking crystals, charms, agates, and other stones to craft custom jewelry pieces. At Outside the Lines Art Gallery, they appreciated the diverse range of local art. The gallery featured paintings, drawings, woodworking, and pottery.

While they didn't make it to the vineyard, the group visited Galena Cellars Winery's tasting room on Main Street. "I picked up a couple of bottles, including a Moscato that's still waiting in my wine rack," she says. The Galena Canning Company was another highlight for the salsa sampling! She recommended the Vidalia Onion & Peach salsa, which goes perfectly with tortilla chips or a topping for grilled fish.

Another stop along the way was at the Galena Bakehouse, featuring lots of yummy desserts. One of her travel partners recognized one of the owners as someone she went to college with! She says their empanadas did not disappoint.

To complete their journey, the group took a trolley tour through the historic district. "It was fascinating to see the old homes and learn about the town's history," says Bauer. They visited landmarks like President Ulysses S. Grant's house, The Belvedere Mansion (the largest mansion in Galena), and the Desoto House Hotel where President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech on the balcony.

After the tour, the group relaxed at a cozy coffee shop, warming up with coffee and tea while playing board games. "Galena offered the perfect blend of relaxation, history, and local charm,” says Bauer.

Annie Peterson, Business Banking Assistant (BBA), Coulee Bank, says her all-time favorite road trip was to Memphis, Tennessee, for her golden birthday. When Peterson turned 28, she and three of her closest friends adventured to Memphis. She wanted something far enough away that the trip felt like a vacation, but close enough to drive instead of fly.

They rented a car and a gorgeous Airbnb with a pool! In late June, they started their journey at 8:00 pm and drove through the night. They arrived in Memphis, grabbed some food, and checked into their Airbnb to spend time poolside.

After basking in the sun for several hours, they visited Beale Street for cocktails and sang along with the good old country and blues music. The following day, they toured Johnny Cash’s boyhood home, a small white rambler situated on a farm. Afterward, they visited the Hard Rock Café and listened to more music before returning to Minnesota.

She says it was a short 3-day adventure, but one of the best road trips of her life.

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. 

What an incredible day at the Women's Fund Spring Fling! Our team enjoyed connecting with local women-owned businesses, delicious food from Fox Hollow, and live music. The tagline this year was Possibility is Powerful! Together, we raised funds to empower women and girls in the La Crosse community!

One of our team members is in the West St. Paul / Mendota Heights Rotary Club. Last week, they took the initiative to clean up their adopted highway. Great work, everyone!

One of our team members participated in Leadership of Greater Rochester (LGR) in 2024. This is a nine-month program designed to develop community-minded leaders in the Greater Rochester area. This team hosted a ribbon cutting for one of the projects, Communication Stations. These stations are for people who may have difficulty communicating their needs and foster inclusivity in public spaces.

Our dedicated Minnetonka team brought a taste of love to Crescent Cove! They prepared and served a delicious spaghetti with hearty meat sauce, followed by mouthwatering strawberry shortcake. Crescent Cove is a vibrant home that offers joy and support to children with life-threatening conditions and their families. Great job, Team Minnetonka, for bringing smiles to many faces.

At Coulee Bank, we believe in empowering women in banking! Last week, our dedicated team members in Wisconsin attended the Women in Banking Conference at Wisconsin Dells, connecting and inspiring each other to drive change. Together, we're fostering a future where everyone's voice is heard!

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 Melissa Mathena, VP, Project Manager, in Minnetonka, MN.

Meet Melissa Mathena, VP Project Manager at Coulee Bank in Minnetonka. While her career trajectory has not followed a straight path, she found her passion working in community banking and creating efficiencies. She studied elementary education and worked in a day care only to realize she missed interacting with adults.

She transitioned to working in a community bank. She chuckled and said, “This is going to age me, but I started in the file room filing documents and doing check research at a community bank.” She learned a lot about the various documents within the bank and then transitioned to a Business Banking Assistant (BBA), where she worked with business lenders and opened accounts.

She later transitioned from a BBA into an assistant branch manager of a community bank. This experience strengthened her knowledge of the retail side of the bank. She learned about tellering and all the tasks associated with the retail side of banking.

Mathena was later offered a unique opportunity to open a de novo bank which is a newly chartered bank that is not acquired through purchase. “Eight people worked at this bank, and every employee did a little bit of everything. I was in operations and customer service and spent countless hours learning and understanding the Jack Henry software,” she says.

Mathena was literally the backup to the Chief Financial Officer and the Operational staff. She opened accounts, met with clients, helped in treasury management, and soon had nine people reporting to her.

When the de novo bank was bought out by a larger financial institution, she joined Coulee Bank in 2021. She loves working in a community bank because of the more personal connection with customers and colleagues. Currently, she is the VP, Project Manager and works essentially in the operations department.

Mathena is grateful to past mentors. They allowed her to make mistakes and grow along the way with a little guidance. She believes her experience at a de novo bank helped strengthen her skills because she had to rely on finding the information on her own and working closely with her coworkers to initiate new procedures. “The biggest takeaway is that I don’t know everything, but I know how to find it,” she says.

One of her best qualities is that she loves to share her wealth of knowledge. Because of this, she teaches others different skills. She sees processes that are broken and fixes the issue. She still has the teacher mentality and enjoys helping others build new skills and loves to roll out new programs to help others be efficient and effective. She has spent a lot of time working with the retail staff at Coulee Bank and getting procedures in place.

Mathena truly understands her strengths too. She sees the bigger picture but also likes to root around in the details to make things more efficient. She takes these nuggets of information and shares them with anyone she works with. “I love watching the proverbial light bulb go off in others. I find so much joy in giving others that a-ha moment.”

In talking with her, you would think she is all work and no play, but Mathena easily transitions from an in-depth conversation about her career and current role to the importance of family. She is a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan, along with the rest of her family. Each year, they get season tickets. During football season, she attends home games with her brother, sister, and mother. They spend the day at the field enjoying each other’s company and cheering for the Vikings. Then, for the away games, one of them hosts and prepares a meal to share, and they watch the game on the television.

If she isn’t immersed in a football game, she loves to go on road trips with her husband. Her husband owns a Dodge Challenger, and they traveled along Route 66 from Chicago to California. They loved stopping at the quirky landmarks that exuded Americana. Memorable ones include the biggest catsup bottle and the biggest rocking chair. They stayed in a concrete teepee at the Wigwam Motel in San Bernadina, California. This road trip gave them the travel bug, so now, each year they take a couple of weeks and explore the country.

She says, “We love to stop at mom-and-pop restaurants during our travels. We avoid chain restaurants because we want an authentic experience.” One time, they ate at a Korean BBQ place that had a grill in the middle of the table. “It was an eight-course meal and definitely adventurous for us! The meat was grilled right there in front of us. The side dishes were all family-style at the table and include pickled radishes, egg, corn and cheese, and spicy cabbage,” she says.

And to make these road trips even more special, her husband puts together music playlists to coincide with the states they are going to. Mathena loves upbeat music, so they put the playlist on shuffle and just enjoy the ride, something Mathena seems to do in her daily life.

Melissa Mathena, we are lucky to have you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us. We wish you so much happiness and success with your career at Coulee Bank.

Here are a few images from their road trip on the historic Route 66!

New Hire Spotlight

We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team, who brings a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives to our organization. Please welcome Clint Baurichter, VP, Business Banking Manager, La Crosse, WI.

We are so excited to introduce Clint Baurichter, VP, Business Banking Manager, to the La Crosse market. He was born and raised in Ripon, WI, once famous for the Ripon Good Cookie Factory. For higher education, he ventured to Stevens Point, WI, and pursued a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics.

Baurichter began his career in the insurance industry, giving him the perspective of risk mitigation while building relationships and providing stellar customer service. This experience has equipped him with a keen understanding of assessing and handling risk, which is directly applicable to business banking. As a business banker, it’s about understanding the customer’s needs while pricing for and mitigating whatever risks exist in someone’s portfolio.

He made the decision to transition to a commercial lender at a financial institution that had a specialized insurance agency lending program. He later transitioned to AVP, Business Banking Officer at another financial institution in 2020.

Risk mitigation tends to be a serious topic, but Baurichter doesn’t let that stand in the way of his sense of humor. When asked how he came to Coulee Bank, hoping to understand why he wanted to work here, his remark caused a chuckle. “I came in my car. I hope to one day build up enough stamina to be able to ride my bike the 13 miles, but I’m not counting on it!” He jokes. In truth, Baurichter came to Coulee Bank because he is looking forward to working with a strong team and helping produce a well-oiled machine to create a big impact in the La Crosse community.

To go along with his sense of humor, Baurichter is a well-rounded individual. His lovely wife, Carly, is a social studies teacher at Bangor High. They share two wonderful children, Greyson and Colton.

Outside of work, he loves cooking. His favorite mode of cooking is on the pellet grill. “I enjoy the art of smoking meats and getting the perfect seasoning and temperature on a nice steak,” he says. When he isn’t cooking, he and his family love Red Pines restaurant. They often do curbside on the way home from work.

He is also quite the outdoorsman. His winters are filled with ice fishing, while his summers are filled with camping. He even built a custom trailer to take to Wisconsin state parks for camping. “Our ultimate goal is to hit all or as many Wisconsin state parks as possible in the camper!”

A couple of years ago, he knocked an Alaskan glacier cruise off his bucket list. Next up, he wants to go to Australia to visit the Great Barrier Reef!

Clint Baurichter, thank you for choosing Coulee Bank. We wish you much success in your new role!

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!

Meet Coulee Bank customer Katie Darval. She is a licensed contractor and owner of Beyond Kitchens. Darval earned her Interior Design degree from Alexandria Technical College, where she focused on kitchen and bath design.

After graduation, she joined Beyond Kitchens as a Project Coordinator and Designer. “In this role, I managed all our on-site projects, coordinated subcontractor schedules, and ensured that our clients were updated on their project's progress,” says Darval. When time allowed, she flew solo on a few projects of her own.

In the fall of 2022, Darval purchased Beyond Kitchens. It was important for her to obtain her contractor’s license to allow her to serve as both the designer and the contractor on all projects. “We love bringing our designs to life from start to finish. It’s a very holistic approach. This allows us to keep our clients’ best interests at heart and reduce as much stress as possible for them throughout the process,” says Darval. Working with a design-build team offers a comprehensive perspective on construction projects. This team approach allows them to view the complete picture, considering both the functionality of a space and its aesthetic appeal.

Darval didn’t set out to own a business. “I simply loved what I was doing—working with a great team, building lasting relationships with clients, and creating meaningful spaces,” she says. It wasn’t until the previous owner began talking about retirement that Darval started to think about what the next chapter might look like for her. She grappled with self-doubt and questioned her ability to balance it all, especially with young kids at home. After many conversations with her husband, they made the decision together, knowing there would be sacrifices, but also believing it would be worth it in the long run.

For Darval and her team, they pour their hearts into every project. She says she finds inspiration in a lot of places—other designers, new product launches, textures, and timeless elements that bring warmth and interest to a space.

Aesthetics are an important piece to the overall puzzle, but quality is the foundation of everything they do, not just in the products we choose, but in the quality of workmanship that goes into a project. “We’re proud to partner with our team of subcontractors, whose work we respect and believe in. Our goal is to create timeless spaces, ones that evolve with our clients for years to come,” says Darval.

When looking for a new team member, she says they want someone who takes pride in their work. This person is an effective communicator with all parties. “We value individuals who are eager to learn and who treat every project as if it were their own home,” she says. Darval has hired both recent graduates and those with industry experience. Having a degree in design is a strong asset—not only for her and her team, but also for the clients we serve.

Darval values continuous learning and believes it is essential. As designers and contractors, they are always seeking to expand their knowledge of new products, improve their design skills, and stay ahead of trends. “Our team is consistently taking new courses and certifications through the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), which allows us to be more intentional and thoughtful in our design approach. The more we know, the better we can help our clients,” she says.

She says Coulee Bank has been an incredible resource since she purchased Beyond Kitchens. She appreciates the support, easygoing nature, and willingness to help whenever questions arise. “I’m truly grateful for their guidance along the way!”

Katie Darval, we appreciate your business and wish you much success as a designer, contractor, and business owner.

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

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.

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.