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Associated Bank Named Top SBA Lender for Second Year in a Row
Associated Bank was the top Small Business Administration lender in Wisconsin for fiscal 2006, outpacing all other banks in number of loans originated and dollar value of loans, according to a new Small Business Administration report.
This is the second year in a row Associated has received this honor.
Associated Bank made 347 7(a) SBA loans for a value of $45 million from Oct. 1, 2005, to Sept. 30, 2006. This amount was a record for Wisconsin, as no lender has ever authorized more than 323 7(a) loans in a fiscal year. In addition, Associated has completed the most SBA loans of any bank in Wisconsin for four of the last six years.
Small Business Administration loans give businesses needed capital to grow and take advantage of expansion opportunities. In turn, this benefits local communities and the overall economy of Wisconsin.
"Associated is very proud in being named the No. 1 SBA lender for a second consecutive year," said Paul Beideman, president and CEO of Associated Banc-Corp, parent company of Associated Bank. "This honor reflects our commitment to providing businesses with the tools, services and expertise needed to grow and prosper."
"SBA loans provide some unique options for growing businesses, and we are proud to include them as part of our full complement of business banking solutions," Beideman said.
Associated customers enjoy access to a dedicated team of knowledgeable and experienced business bankers who understand how SBA loans can provide superior financing solutions, said Joe Fikejs, vice president and government guaranteed lending program manager for Associated.
In addition to banking experts, businesses can use the online Small Business Resource Center available at associatedbank.com, which answers questions about SBA loans and lets users complete an eligibility application online.
Also, the Resource Center offers calculators that can be used to gauge revenue needs and expenses, determine the value of their business, and whether to buy or lease equipment.
"I want to congratulate Associated Bank on a phenomenal year of helping Wisconsin businesses start and grow," said SBA Wisconsin District Director Eric Ness. "In fiscal year 2006, Associated Bank increased its number of SBA loans by 24 percent and provided over $45 million in financial assistance through SBA programs in the state of Wisconsin. This demonstrates a true commitment to helping Wisconsin businesses succeed."
To receive a free Associated's Wisconsin Small Business Guide from Wisconsin's No. 1 SBA lender, stop in to your local Associated Bank or call
(800) 682-4989. Associated Bank is part of Associated Banc-Corp, a diversified multibank holding company with total assets of $21 billion headquartered in Green Bay, Wis. Associated has more than 320 banking offices serving more than 180 communities in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and more banking locations in Wisconsin than any other bank. Associated offers a full range of traditional banking services and a variety of other financial products and services. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.AssociatedBank.com.
Bandoli Promoted to Vice-President of Coulee Bank
The Board of Directors of Coulee Bank is proud to announce the promotion of Robert Bandoli to Vice-President. Bob began his career with the Bank in 1998 as a commercial lender. His business sense and versatility have made a huge contribution to the growth of the Bank. Bob's lending experience and quality customer service have combined to help many Coulee Region businesses grow. Bob is an active member of NASA, The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, The Coulee Region Business Center and Kiwanis.
Attorney James McNeilly Elected to State Bar Board on Bankruptcy and Presents at State Bar Bankruptcy Seminar
Attorney James W. McNeilly, Jr. recently made two presentations at the Annual Bankruptcy Update held in Madison and Milwaukee. Jim first discussed the ins and outs of Wisconsin's Replevin Statute which authorizes the repossession of motor vehicles without court action. Jim also co-presented a section on Theft by Contractor cases with two other bankruptcy practitioners.
Jim was also recently elected to the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditors Rights Section.
McNeilly said: "I am honored to be chosen to present to bankruptcy practitioners around the State of Wisconsin. I am even more humbled by the respect my colleagues from around the State have shown me by electing me to the Board. I was quite surprised at being elected to the Board as there were at least ten to twelve very qualified candidates seeking only three positions. Participation in state-wide seminars and associations allows me to keep up to date with the latest developments in bankruptcy law and affords me the opportunity to get to know the bankruptcy judges and practitioners from around the state, assisting me greatly in representing both debtors and creditors."
Jim is Managing Director of Lakelaw Wisconsin, with offices in La Crosse and Kenosha. Jim focuses on business law, including bankruptcy, real estate, creditor-debtor, and estate planning.
Lakelaw Wisconsin represents people and businesses in bankruptcy and insolvency, business, civil litigation, estate planning, probate, and real estate matters. Both Jim and his partner, Attorney David P. Leibowitz, are Av rated by Martindale-Hubbell - the highest rating available.
For further information, please contact Jim at 608-782-4262 or David at 1-866- LAKELAW.
Universal Mortgage Announces New Loan Officer
Universal Mortgage Corporation, Onalaska, WI, is pleased to announce that Heather Phillips has joined them as their newest Loan Officer. Heather's previous experience as a successful Real Estate agent gives her excellent background for understanding the entire homebuying process. Heather has a track record for providing excellent customer service in real estate sales, and is looking forward to providing the same high quality of service in real estate mortgage transactions.
With the addition of Heather, the entire Universal Mortgage lending team now consists of loan officers that have the added dimension of real estate sales and/or marketing in their background.
Universal Mortgage is a Mortgage Banking company that currently services over three and one half billion dollars in mortgages. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Universal Mortgage is a national company, which allows their loan officers the opportunity to originate mortgage loans, not just in this lending area, but throughout the country.
The Onalaska branch which recently expanded and moved to 1285 Rudy Street in Onalaska, was opened in 2000 and has assisted hundreds of area people with their home financing.
Universal Mortgage specializes in home financing, and offers all the standard conventional and government mortgages, special first time homebuyer financing, stated income programs, No Income-No Asset programs, non-conforming and Jumbo, just to name a few. Universal Mortgage also has the distinction of being the number one originator of WHEDA loans in the state of Wisconsin.
By specializing in mortgages and nothing else, Universals' loan officers are able to focus more on the customer's individual needs, offering them the very best program for their particular situation.
Heather Phillips can be reached at (608) 779-1519 or toll free at 866-278-5215.
Gundersen Lutheran Care Coordinator Receives State Nursing Award
Janet Bahr, RN, BSN, received the 2006 Nursing practice award from the Wisconsin Nurses Association during its state convention in Appleton, Wis., on Saturday, Oct. 21. The award is given to a member who "demonstrates involvement in activities that show innovations in patient care; role model for nursing practice; commitment to the practice of professional nursing; and utilization/dissemination of research in practice." Bahr works in Care Coordination at Gundersen Lutheran and is a member of the La Crosse District Nurses Association.
Berger Joins Gundersen Lutheran as Pain Management Specialist
Ines Berger, MD, PhD, has joined Pain Medicine Services in the Gundersen Lutheran Neuroscience Center as a pain management specialist. Berger provides treatment for patients who are suffering chronic pain and cancer pain.
A native of Wolfsburg, Germany, Berger received her Doctor of Medicine and her Doctor of Philosophy in medical science from Friedrich Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany. She then moved to the United States and attended the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, Minn., where she performed her surgical internship, anesthesiology residency, critical care fellowship and pain fellowship.
Prior to joining Gundersen Lutheran, Berger was the Pain Management medical director at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Ga. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in business administration through the University of Phoenix.
Christine Smith Graduates from Consumer Credit School
Christine Smith, Assistant Vice President/Personal Banker for Merchants Bank in Onalaska, has received her successful completion from the Consumer Credit School, which was held July 22-28 at St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin.
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Bankers Association, the curriculum was designed to provide bankers with the opportunity to broaden their understanding of consumer credit as an integral part of retail banking and as a vital source of bank income. The faculty is comprised of bankers who are considered authorities in their respective fields.
Smith has 25 years of professional banking experience, most of it with the Merchants organization. Smith served as a Personal Banker for Merchants Bank in Winona before joining the Onalaska banking team. She has also worked as a Deposit Account Services Representative for the Merchants organization. She worked previously for First Federal Savings in La Crosse (1978-1984) and First Bank of La Crosse (1977-1978).
A native of the La Crosse area, Smith is a graduate of Central High School. She and her husband, Stan, have two children. They live in Holmen.
Merchants Bank in Onalaska is an affiliate of Merchants Financial Group, Inc. Merchants Financial Group, Inc., is based in Winona and is the corporate entity that owns Merchants Bank locations in Onalaska, Wis., and Minnesota communities of Winona, St. Charles, Rochester, Caledonia, La Crescent, and the southern Twin Cities metropolitan suburbs of Hampton, Apple Valley, Cottage Grove and Hastings. The "flagship" Merchants Bank in Winona has been serving that community since 1875. Total Holding Company assets are nearly $725 million.
Tax Attorney to Speak November 10th
Ed Lyon, a tax attorney who speaks throughout the country, will be presenting a seminar in Onalaska, entitled "Instant Tax Relief for Realtors". Mr. Lyon, America's tax coach, was dubbed "The funniest tax guy in America" by The Roseanne Show. He has also appeared on CNN, CNBC, MSNBC and Fox News Channel. Mr. Lyon delivers an entertaining, fast paced presentation designed to provide money saving tips that save tax dollars.
The free seminar is being co-sponsored for area Realtors by Universal Mortgage, The Title Company, and Professional Home Inspection. It will be held at Stoney Creek Inn in Onalaska. The seminar would also be of benefit to self-employed individuals, investment property owners, tax accountants, financial planners and insurance agents.
For more information, call Bonnie Oliver, Kathy Weihrouch, Sherie Grass or Heather Phillips at Universal Mortgage (608) 779-1515.
Tiffany Gulinson, DO Joins Franciscan Skemp Onalaska Clinic
Tiffany Gulinson, DO recently joined the Women's Health Department at the Franciscan Skemp Onalaska Clinic.
Dr. Gulinson earned her medical degree at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri and completed her family practice residency at Mercy General Health Partners in Muskegon, Michigan.
She is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association.
Prior to joining the Franciscan Skemp Onalaska Clinic, Dr. Gulinson worked at Franciscan Skemp's Sparta Campus and Lake Tomah Clinic as a family medicine physician. She most recently provided services in the Urgent Care Department at Franciscan Skemp's La Crosse Campus before the new Onalaska Clinic was open.
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