UW-Madison Now Offering Online Personal Finance Degree

Are you looking to advance your skills and career in the financial services industry? Do you have at least 24 college credits and dreams of completing your college degree? If so, the UW–Madison Online bachelor of science in Personal Finance is the right program for you.

One of the few schools in the nation to offer an online BS degree in personal finance, UW–Madison is ranked #2 in top colleges for financial planning by WealthManagement.com. This program combines an emphasis on financial management with the economic well-being of individuals and families. As a student, you will develop analytical, problem-solving and communication skills along with in-depth financial industry knowledge.

Our practical, hands-on curriculum means you can also integrate what you learn into your work the next day. Students will learn key concepts in the curriculum, including principles of financial planning and development, risk and insurance, taxation, investment planning, retirement and savings, and estate planning. All graduates who complete the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) required courses leave fully prepared to sit for the CFP exam.

By combining finance and problem-solving with helping people, the BS in Personal Finance prepares you for a rewarding career in a rapidly growing field. Students will graduate equipped to serve the needs of a variety of clients and work in a broad range of finance jobs including financial analyst, risk management specialist, community educator, investment associate, product manager and business development consultant.

UW–Madison Online allows students to choose their course load, while the online format means work can completed during times more convenient for the student. The flexible online format makes it possible to balance progress towards a degree with work responsibilities.

UW Madison is partnering with businesses to help employees enroll and succeed in UW-Madison Online. Learn more today by visiting go.wisc.edu/start-today or contact Laura Thomas at 608-265-2547 or laura.thomas@wisc.edu.

Capitol Bank Sponsors Lunch for SSM Health Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Madison, WI (April 23, 2020): In honor of the annual Power of Community Week put on by Wisconsin Bankers Association, Capitol Bank planned events and activities from April 20-24 as a way to spread positivity and support in the community. Most notably, Capitol Bank sponsored lunch on Wednesday, April 22 for 175 essential healthcare workers at the neighboring SSM Health Dean Medical Group – North High Point Road Location. In response, SSM Health workers invited Capitol Bankers out into the parking lot and held a “Thank You” sign from the roof of the clinic. The large lunch order provided support to five area restaurants and thank you notes from Capitol Bank were included for the SSM Health employees.

“The social distancing guidelines proved challenging when it came to planning this year’s events. Supporting our neighbors at the SSM Health clinic seemed like the perfect opportunity to do something positive and impactful,” said Mandy Ayers, Director of Human Resources at Capitol Bank.

See the full press release with photos here.

WPS Health Solutions earns Energy Efficiency Excellence Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WPS Health Solutions earns Energy Efficiency Excellence Award

MADISON, Wis.—April 22, 2020—Focus on Energy in Wisconsin has selected WPS Health Solutions as one of 13 winners of the Energy Efficiency Excellence Award for 2020. The announcement, which coincides with Earth Day on April 22, recognizes WPS’ commitment to improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of its operations in Madison.

The statewide program worked with its partner utilities to choose the winners.

“WPS Health Solutions is honored to earn this award for ongoing energy conservation efforts,” said Ken Roseth, Vice President of Facility Operations. “Saving energy is just one of the ways we care for the environment, both today and for future generations.”

Since 2017, WPS has completed more than 25 major energy-efficiency initiatives. The list includes major LED lighting retrofits; optimization of air handlers and associated support equipment; optimization of data center climate controls; and converting a steam heating system to a high-efficiency hot water system.

Including the last project applications from 2019, annual savings from those projects are estimated at 2.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 23,000 therms of natural gas, according to Alex Dodd, an energy adviser with Focus on Energy.

Using 2019 electricity and gas prices, that equates to about $275,000 in annual savings. Also, that amount of energy is enough to power 210 homes for a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas equivalency calculator. Total consumption (in British thermal units) at the Madison campus has been reduced by 15%.

Dodd also estimates total incentives from Focus on Energy at $215,000 for projects in 2017 through 2019.

Focus on Energy is funded by the state’s investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities.

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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Wisconsin Bank & Trust Contributes $100,000 for COVID-19 Community Relief Efforts throughout Wisconsin

April 15, 2020 — Madison, WI — Wisconsin Bank & Trust is proud to announce it will commit $100,000 to support six 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, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation: Emergency Response Fund, Greater Milwaukee Foundation: MKE Responds Fund, Green County Emergency Medical Service, Sheboygan County Food Bank: Sheboygan County Hunger Relief Food Fund, and the University of Wisconsin Platteville: Pioneers Helping Pioneers 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.

Read more here.