For Immediate Release: May 11, 2023

Fort Atkinson, WI – To celebrate the connections between local businesses, non-profit organizations, schools, and families and their hometown community bank, PremierBank recognized the Power of Community Week April 17–22, 2023 during National Community Banking Month and National Financial Literacy and Capability Month.

“We are proud to be a part of the strong, vibrant Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth County communities,” said Russ Turk, Chairman, CEO, and President of PremierBank. He added, “it is especially meaningful this year to give back to our communities in multiple ways because it is PremierBank’s 160th year in business. ” Power of Community Week exists to highlight the longstanding tradition of community banking and the role banks play in building strong communities.

Over the course of the month, bank employees enjoyed working on several philanthropic projects. Some of these special initiatives included: donations of items or money to BASE, Crossroads Kids Connection, Johnson Creek, Sullivan, and Whitewater public schools, Rock River Clinic, ECHO, House of Mercy, YMCA Rock County Care House, GIFTS Men’s Shelter, Project 1649, the Janesville School District, Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin, Friends of Noah, Jefferson Humane Society, Rock River Coalition, Community Action Coalition, and all local area food pantries. Bankers also enjoyed activities such as organizing a cookout for an assisted living center as well as delivering handwritten cards to multiple assisted living facilities. Some locations offered random gifts of ice cream to banking customers and delivered various treats to area first responders. Finally, as part of their financial literacy outreach, bankers visited local libraries for prescheduled storytimes to read Curious George Saves His Pennies, and conduct financial education with children.

Power of Community Week is the pinnacle of Community Banking Month and is a time that PremierBank employees look forward to all year long. Bankers from departments all across the bank are able to get outside the office to help deliver donations, take tours at local non-profits, and visit with those who run the many valuable outreach programs across Wisconsin that serve area children, adults with specific needs, and even animals.

“The Power of Community Week highlights the collective impact of Wisconsin’s banking industry,” said Rose Oswald Poels, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. “Bank employees tailor their efforts to the individual needs of their areas — from giving financial literacy presentations in local schools to running food drives to volunteering in nursing homes — it shows how passionate they are.”

For more information about Wisconsin’s Power of Community Week visit www.wisbank.com/BanksPowerWI.

About the Wisconsin Bankers Association

Founded in 1892, WBA is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing more than 200 commercial banks and savings institutions, their branches, and over 30,000 employees. The Association represents banks of all sizes in Wisconsin, and nearly 98 percent of banks in the state are WBA members. To learn more, please visit www.wisbank.com.

About PremierBank

PremierBank was established 160 years ago in 1863 and remains a locally owned community bank that prides itself on building strong partnerships with the businesses and residents in Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth counties. PremierBank is committed to serving its customers with personalized service and convenient financial products as a trusted financial partner. With $551 million in assets, PremierBank has nine convenient office locations in Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Sullivan, and Whitewater, including a full-service Wealth Management division. For more information, visit www.bankwithpremier.com.

Collections for the Rome Food Pantry

Janesville Bankers prepare to hand over donations collected to Kaitie with the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin. The puppy featured is Gator, who has found his fur-ever home thanks to the support of the staff and donations from the community.

Banks the Premier Pup stands next to Krystal, Whitewater Branch Manager during a “Reading Raises Interest” story time at the Whitewater Public Library.

Fort Atkinson employees delivered outdoor play equipment to BASE, an organization that promotes learning and play outside of the classroom.

Janesville bankers meet with Families in Transition, an organization that acts as a resource for homeless and impoverished families in Rock County, to donate bus tokens for participants in the program.