Old National Bank Responds to Urgent COVID-19 Need with $1.2 million commitment including $42,500 locally joining #GivingTuesdayNow

Madison, WI (May 5, 2020) – Old National Bank is joining #GivingTuesdayNow in a global day of giving and unity and responding to meet the needs of communities by committing $1.2 million for COVID-19 relief. This includes:

• $600,000 in funding focused on meeting the immediate needs in local communities, with an emphasis on low-to-moderate income communities.
• $600,000 in Old National Bank Foundation grant funding that will focus on longer-term restorative and transformational needs within local communities.

Read more here

WPS Health Solutions publishes new Corporate Citizenship Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions publishes new Corporate Citizenship Report

MADISON, Wis.—April 30, 2020—The 2019 WPS Health Solutions Corporate Citizenship Report is now available on the company’s website. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the major lines of business at WPS, with a special emphasis on the company’s ethical culture, labor practices, community support, environmental stewardship, and awards and recognition.

“The report highlights how WPS Health Solutions is making a difference in the lives of our customers, employees, the environment, and the communities we serve,” says Jane Keller-Allen, Vice President of Internal Audit, Compliance and Risk. “It allows us to showcase our employees’ high ethical standards and WPS’ commitment to conducting business with integrity.  It allows anyone who is curious about WPS to get to know us a little better.”

“Leading the Healthy Conversation” is the theme for the 2019 report. More than 70 years since its founding, WPS Health Solutions leads the healthy conversation for the health and financial protection of its customers with three lines of business: WPS Health Insurance, WPS Government Health Administrators, and WPS Military and Veterans Health, as well as two subsidiaries: Arise Health Plan and EPIC Specialty Benefits.

Employees of WPS Health Solutions aspire to do their best by exhibiting the company’s four core values: Individual Responsibility, Customer Focused, Mutual Respect, and Driven and Passionate. Visual and interactive displays reinforce the message at all WPS locations.

The mission of WPS Health Solutions is simply this: to provide health insurance and benefit plan administration to private and government customers with service and value considered by our customers to be the very best.

From a facilities standpoint, the report describes how WPS Health Solutions is recognized as a leader in environmental sustainability. In 2019, the company completed 10 major energy-efficiency initiatives. Projects included relocating two of its office locations and installing LED lighting conversions at various WPS facilities. The company also improved air-handling efficiency and climate controls. The company’s Madison campus alone saved more than $119,000 on utility bills in 2019. More importantly, this energy reduction is equivalent to 1,527 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The report can be found at wpshealthsolutions.com > About > Learn About WPS Health Solutions.

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Wisconsin Bank & Trust Contributes $20,000 for Boys & Girls Club of Dane County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2020

CONTACT:
Curtis Chrystal
President & CEO
Wisconsin Bank & Trust
608.203.1240
cchrystal@wisconsinbankandtrust.com

Shawn Kesler
Regional Marketing Officer
Wisconsin Bank & Trust
skesler@wisconsinbankandtrust.com

Wisconsin Bank & Trust Contributes $20,000 for Boys & Girls Club of Dane County
Bank directs immediate funds for Boys & Girls Club of Dane County: Dane County COVID-19 Emergency Fund 

April 21, 2020 — Madison, WI — Wisconsin Bank & Trust is proud to announce it will commit $20,000 to support local community initiatives related to Wisconsin’s COVID-19 crisis. The Wisconsin-based bank will make significant contributions to the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County: Dane County COVID-19 Emergency Fund. This latest community outreach follows earlier announcements about the bank’s comprehensive COVID-19 response measures centered around financial relief for clients and employee safety.

“The needs of our local communities are at an all-time high,” expressed Curtis Chrystal, President and CEO of Wisconsin Bank & Trust. “Our employees, clients, and state-wide communities continue to align and help one another during this crisis. It has solidified who we are in Wisconsin. On behalf of Wisconsin Bank & Trust, I am proud to support these important community relief efforts throughout our entire Wisconsin footprint.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County: Dane County COVID-19 Emergency Fund provides foundational support for key areas of need; Including meals for kids due to school closures, funds to support college students in need of temporary housing and meals, and funds to support senior citizens who may need meals, transportation and medical assistance.

Michael Johnson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, says “We are thankful for the support of Wisconsin Bank & Trust. Because of their generous gift, we will be able to feed hundreds of youth in Dane County, and will also be able to help feed first responders impacted by COVID-19.”

Wisconsin Bank & Trust: Part of $1.2 Million Community Outreach Initiative

Heartland Financial USA, Inc., the holding company of Wisconsin Bank & Trust and 10 other regional banks across the United States, is contributing a total of $1.2 million to COVID-19 community relief programs.  The outreach is funding families and businesses across 12 states impacted by the crisis.

Banking Client Relief Actions
Since the beginning of the crisis, Wisconsin Bank & Trust has enacted a multitude of programs aimed at providing financial relief for consumer, small business, and commercial clients. As an SBA-certified lender, Wisconsin Bank & Trust is also working with business clients to utilize available CARES Act funding, such as the Paycheck Protection Program, Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and other programs.  Please visit our COVID-19 resource center on our website for frequent updates.

Keeping Our Employee Team Safe
Wisconsin Bank & Trust continues to adapt our operations to the evolving environment. This has included having much of our workforce working remotely from home, modifying bank lobby access, restricting employee travel and group meetings, and intensifying the cleaning regiments of all our locations. Wisconsin Bank & Trust has also implemented a premium pay increase of 20% for its hourly customer-facing bank branch employees and customer service representatives in our call centers.  The bank has also committed to cover all COVID-19 related testing and treatment costs for its primary healthcare plan participants. 

About Wisconsin Bank & Trust

Wisconsin Bank & Trust, a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., is a state-chartered, community-invested bank with assets of approximately $1.4 billion in assets, serving customers throughout 14 different branches in Wisconsin. The bank specializes in business lending and deposit services, and provides a wide variety of personal credit and deposit services along with complete electronic banking programs. For more information visit www.wisconsinbankandtrust.com or call 877.280.1855. Wisconsin Bank & Trust is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and an Equal Housing Lender.

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is a diversified financial services company with assets of $13.2 billion. The company provides banking, mortgage, private client, investment and insurance services to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 114 banking locations serving 83 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California. Additional information about Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is available at www.htlf.com.

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TDS donates $65,000 to 5 food banks in local service areas

TDS Telecommunications has donated $65,000 to five food pantries that serve our regional areas.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin has received a $25,000 donation, while Second Harvest East Tennessee in Knoxville, The Giving Plate in Bend, Oregon, The Utah Food Bank in St. George, Utah, and The Mooresville/Lake Norman Christian Mission in Mooresville, North Carolina have all received $10,000 each.

“The call to help has never been greater and TDS wants to do what we can to feed America now by giving back to the communities we serve,” said TDS President and CEO Jim Butman. “Food banks across the country are seeing huge increases in demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and, TDS wants to help those organizations who are serving those in need.”

Monetary donations are used to purchase food products in bulk or at wholesale prices, which provides more meals.

Donated iPads from WPS help students continue education at home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Donated iPads from WPS help students continue education at home

MADISON, Wis.—April 13, 2020—WPS Health Solutions recently donated 15 Apple iPad tablets with the help of John Matthews, a member of the WPS Board of Directors and former Executive Director of Madison Teachers Inc.

The iPads were given to the Beaver Dam Unified School District, Madison Metropolitan School District, and the Foundation of Madison Public Schools.

The devices then were distributed to students who are in need of learning technology at home.

“WPS’ donation is crucial to the continuing education of children because of schools being closed for several months given the coronavirus pandemic,” Matthews said. 

He was concerned that some families didn’t have the means to own a computer or a tablet device. He asked WPS about the availability of used iPads that could be donated, and the Information Technology team provided 15 devices.

“All parties are not only appreciative, but excited,” Matthews said. “Because of the pandemic, many teachers are attempting to stay in contact with their students electronically, and actually teach using electronic devices. Thus, the importance that all children be able to take advantage of their teacher’s efforts.”

“Providing technology and the resources needed for children to continue their education from home is a small act that WPS can do to make a large and lasting impact in our WPS communities,” said WPS Chief Technology Officer Sandi Gardner.

Kelly Kuenzi, a teacher in Beaver Dam, was thrilled that her school was one of the recipients. “I have delivered six of the iPads and I can’t even describe in words how rewarding it has been,” she said. “Every family has been so appreciative and amazed that they get to keep this iPad. I feel a little guilty being able to see the receiving end when I didn’t do anything but deliver it.”

Kuenzi shared a text from one of the parents: “I wanted to thank you and whoever donated. Please thank them for us. She already did a lesson and is on her next one.”

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.