Coulee Courier

 

My goal for our organization is to provide a Ritz-Carlton experience for customers and coworkers. This commitment shows in our customer service, the products we offer, and the work of the people behind the scenes. Each year, we recognize five individuals in our organization who have gone above and beyond to demonstrate our core values: Serve, Care, Always Improving, Responsive, and Flexible.


Each month, our employees can nominate coworkers who demonstrate extraordinary work. Our recognition committee reviews the nominations and gives a short presentation at our monthly all-employee meeting. We take time to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond.


At the end of each year, I work with our Chief Human Resources Officer to select five individuals for special recognition. We present the awards at an all-employee team-building session called Unity Day.


I am excited to recognize this year’s honorees:


Kiley C. received the Serve award. She provides extraordinary customer service. Customers have said she goes above and beyond to help them resolve issues and protect themselves from fraud. Her coworkers have also praised her ability to help solve complex issues.


This year’s Care award recipient was Emily D. She has been with the bank for over 20 years. What many people may not know is that she is the only remaining employee from Pinehurst Bank, which we purchased. We were incredibly fortunate that she chose to continue her career with Coulee Bank. Not only did we change locations, but we also shifted our business model. Throughout those changes, Emily ensured that our clients in the St. Paul office had a familiar face. We are grateful for her many contributions over the past 20-plus years.


As we continue to improve banking practices for our customers, Janel G. stood out as this year’s Always Improving award recipient. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) practices are constantly evolving. Our compliance efforts must adapt to the changing ways outside entities target banks, and Janel, as our BSA Officer, continually adapts her approach to meet those challenges. She consistently works to protect our bank, and we are very thankful for her.


Amanda W. received the Responsive award. She has held many roles within our organization, giving her an understanding of how a specific situation or opportunity can create a ripple effect across the organization. She uses that knowledge to respond quickly and improve processes for everyone involved.


Aaron C. received the Flexible award. The mortgage department requires a great deal of flexibility because things change quickly. Aaron readily adapts while providing exceptional service to clients and coworkers.


We are so proud of these individuals, who choose to work at Coulee Bank and continue to go above and beyond. These awards give us an opportunity to recognize their contributions and celebrate the ways they bring our core values to life.


 ~Dirk R. Gasterland, CEO

Behind the Counter

Our tellers are often the first and most frequent point of contact customers have with Coulee Bank. This feature highlights the people behind the counter who make every interaction count.



"After getting to know the tellers in both La Crosse locations, I have found my home at our Onalaska branch. Over the last couple of years at this branch, I have built many customer relationships, and I enjoy meeting new people, too! Everyone has a story and fun things to share."
~Kiley C.


"I’ve had the opportunity to make so many wonderful customer connections in the past year. I love getting to know the regulars we see every week and meeting new people! It’s always nice to chat and see how people are doing. Chatting with customers is one of my favorite parts about being on the front line!”

~Maeghan R.


Build a banking relationship with the team in Onalaska.

👀 Keep an eye out!


There’s a little turkey 🦃 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 11/13/2026.


Financial Literacy

From Business Dream to Business Plan: Where to Begin


At Coulee Bank, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We value personal relationships to build trust while offering guidance and support to help your business grow. From dream to reality, we’re here to help you navigate life as a business owner. 


Read More

Rental Fraud: How to Spot Red Flags


Rental scams are more prevalent than ever. Scam artists create ads on social media platforms and classified and rental websites.


There are several red flags to look for when researching rental property.


Read More

Special Feature

Shared Values, Shared Success


Strong values, a trusted reputation, community involvement, and accountability create a foundation for success. We saw those strengths in Evolve Payment, a family-owned, Minnesota-based company, and partnered with its team in 2023 to bring payment services to our customers. 


Read More

IT Tips

From Setup to Sign-In: Secure Your New Device


Upgrading technology is exciting because it impacts everyday experiences, from communication to productivity and convenience. A new phone, tablet, or computer gives you access to faster processors, higher-resolution displays, longer battery life, stronger security, more storage, and faster connectivity. But another key element to getting a new device is setting it up safely.


Learn How to Set Up Your Device

New Hire Spotlight

Welcome Chen!


We are pleased to welcome Chen Her, Universal Teller, to our St. Paul branch. Chen truly enjoys working with our customers. He has a wide variety of interests, but working with people brings him joy. 


Read More About Chen

 

Employee Recommendations

Employee Recommendations: November Favorites


From favorite fall recipes to memorable holiday traditions, our Coulee Bank employees are sharing what makes November special to them. Get to know our crew through their seasonal favorites and stories—you might even find a little inspiration for your own celebrations!


Explore Our November Favorites


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!

Packing 15,721 meals in just a couple of hours is possible when Coulee Bank helps out! Our Twin Cities employees volunteered at Second Harvest Heartland last week and accomplished just that!



In just a few hours, they packed 18,865 lbs. of food, 182 boxes of cereal, and 438 boxes of apples, totaling 15,721 meals! Way to go, Team!


Upcoming Events

Our Toys for Tots fundraiser is coming up, and our team is ready to help brighten the season! Join us in spreading some joy! Drop off toys at any of our locations


Fundraiser starts:


La Crosse and Onalaska

November 2nd-December 3rd


St.Paul and Minnetonka

November 16th-December 11th


Rochester

November 16th-December 22nd


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!

Toys for Tots Fundraising is around the corner
Say hello to some of the friendly faces on our Wisconsin team! Member FDIC.
At Coulee Bank, we’re here to help you bank with confidence, wherever life and business take you.
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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.