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Financial planning can be a daunting task. It’s like going to the dentist — you may be scared to take initiative, but you know that if you can just muster up the courage to start, you’ll be much better off.This week’s episode is focused on our college-aged audience. It’s about starting early and making the most of what you’ve got to make a big impact on your finances. We’ll discuss opening your first accounts, building credit, buying your first home, and so much more. Experts Brian McManus (SVP of Lending, First Federal Bank of Wisconsin), Fernando Campos (Neighborhood Development Program, United Community Center), and Jeff Condit (Youth Programs Director, United Community Center) join to guide listeners and provide valuable insights.

When you’re in business, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers. We live in an age where everything can be tracked, analyzed, and broken down, and communication — especially in the age of COVID — is now more digital than ever. Handshakes and friendly in-person meetings have fallen by the wayside, only to be replaced with email subject lines and Zoom calls.Often, it’s easy to forget that there’s a person on the other side. But as all successful folks in business have learned one way or another, it’s that person on the other side that really matters. At the end of the day, business isn’t really about the numbers at all — it’s about people, and our relationships with them.On today’s episode, host Richie Burke sits down with Brian McManus (Senior VP of Lending, First Federal Bank of Wisconsin), Jerry Couri (President, Couri Insurance Agency), and Adam Witkov (Partner, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP) to discuss the many ways in which their interpersonal relationships have shaped their business interactions over the years.Tune in to this episode to gain insight on building relationships, hear inspiring stories about how personal connections have opened unexpected doors, and learn how to be someone others want to do business with.

Our military veterans give us so much, selflessly volunteering their precious time, energy, and strength to serve our country. Yet, when they return home from service, they’re often left feeling underappreciated and have to face difficult hardships. Reassimilating into normal life can be tough — whether it’s finding a fulfilling career, coping with PTSD, or just readjusting their state of mind, veterans and their families often feel like they’re going about it alone.That’s where Operation Finally Home (OFH) comes in. Operation Finally Home is a program that provides custom-built homes for veterans and their families, giving that home to them mortgage-free. The program was specifically created for veterans who had their time in service cut short because of injury. This uplifting gift to our heroes and their families is a fantastic way to show that they’re truly cared for when they return home.On this episode, we’ll talk to Michael Berry (VP of Treasury Management, First Federal Bank of Wisconsin) and David Belman (President, Belman Homes) about Operation Finally Home. You’ll learn about how OFH was started, the ways the community supports the program, the positive impacts it’s had on recipient families, and more. We’re truly proud to partner with this organization, and hope you enjoy learning about the ways it makes a profound impact in our local community.

If you’re like most people, you rely on the internet for just about everything. Banking, streaming music, staying connected with friends and family, and so much more. And, if you’re like most people, you assume your data is fairly safe on the web — but is it?With the recent boom in internet usage, we’re here to make sure you (and your data) stay safe. We’ve asked experts Mike Venaccio (VP Bank Technology Solutions, UFS), Amy Radue (Director of Risk Management, UFS), and Dan Loppnow (Information Technology Manager/Cybersecurity Officer, First Federal Bank) to hop on the mic and share some tips and tricks.On today’s episode, we’ll discuss how to protect your data in a digital world, identify cyber risks (and how to mitigate them), give helpful tips for avoiding scams, and more.

If we had a nickel for every time someone asked us how to build a new home, we could probably afford to build it for them! On this episode, we’ll be talking about all things house construction, giving you tips and tricks for the whole process, start to finish. To help us cross the t’s and dot the i’s, Richie is joined by David Belman, the President of Belman Homes, and Brian McManus, the Senior Vice President of Lending here at First Federal Bank of Wisconsin. Together, they’ll cover a slew of topics sure to alleviate stress before you dive into the world of home building. You’ll learn how to get the ball rolling with your preferred builder and bank, whether or not you can stay in your current home while building your new one, how to know if building is the right route for you, and so much more.

Wisconsin’s hemp industry is booming, and for good reason. We’ve got great farming roots, so it’s only natural that our economy’s structure should follow right? Well, not always. When one of our clients here at First Federal entered into the hemp industry, we learned there are not many banking resources for farmers who want to grow green. In some cases, there’s no banking option at all.So, we stepped up and researched to understand the differences between the legal hemp and the current Wisconsin-illegal marijuana plant. The result is a banking program for hemp farmers that works with the systems in place rather than against them.On this episode of Keeping It Local, we’ll talk about how people are making businesses from the hemp, the history of hemp in Wisconsin, the benefits of CBD, and more.

You might not realize it, but banks are connected to your local community in more ways than you’d expect. People rely on banks to help them with big milestones: buying their first car, financing a home, and opening a business, to name a few. When it’s time to get the ball rolling, the financial institution they choose matters not just for them, but for their neighbors, too. Organizations like credit unions and online national banks often seem like a good choice at first, but there’s one option that always puts the local community first: community banks.But how are community banks different than other financial institutions? What services do they provide?‌ And how do they give back to the local community? Well, we’re glad you asked!On this week’s first-ever episode of the Keeping it Local Podcast, host Richie Burke sits down with Rose Oswald Poels, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association, and Edward H. Schaefer, President and CEO of the First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, to answer all those questions and more. They’ll dive deep into the importance of local banking, talk about how community banks give back, and help you understand the importance of the ‘decision-maker’ when you’re applying for a loan. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn a thing or two!

Hello, and welcome to Keeping It Local. On this introductory episode, you'll meet your host, Richie Burke, as he guides you through a preview of our first few episodes.On Keeping It Local, or goal is to reach outside of the products and services we typically provide at First Federal Bank of Wisconsin to connect you with local businesses, nonprofits, and community members. You'll learn about the impact they're making in the community, and pick up a few financial insights along the way. Thanks so much for tuning in, and if you like what you've heard on this episode, make sure to subscribe and check out what we've got coming next!