Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth Counties, Wisconsin – PremierBank announced the results of its 2024 community outreach efforts held throughout April in observance of Community Banking Month. The bank held food drives in each location and matched financial donations dollar-for-dollar to benefit local food collection organizations in Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth counties.

With PremierBank locations serving as collection points for non-perishable food donations, the bank experienced an outpouring of support from those eager to contribute to the cause. Funds raised from financial donations from employees plus the bank-matching contribution totaled nearly $3,000.

Bank employees also participated in the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF), “Reading Raises Interest” financial literacy program to teach children about saving. WBF’s Reading Raises Interest program provides financial institutions with age-appropriate books and lesson plans centered around themes that involve saving money.

This year’s featured book, A Boy, a Budget, and a Dream, written by Jasmine Paul, encourages children to learn about setting budgets and saving to meet financial goals. Throughout April, bankers traveled to local schools and public libraries throughout the bank’s footprint area to read this year’s featured book and/or last year’s favorite, Curious George Saves His Pennies by Margret and H.A. Rey.

“From helping families and small business owners achieve their financial goals to volunteering in community projects to donating to important local causes, Wisconsin banks are pillars in their communities,” said Rose Oswald Poels, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association. “… The success of our communities is central to the mission of community banking,” she added.

Additionally, over the course of the month, PremierBank participated in several other outreach efforts including an American Red Cross blood drive, free document shredding day, and participation in several financial literacy and other educational outreach events, held throughout southcentral Wisconsin.

According to the Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA), there are nearly 50,000 community banking locations nationwide, employing 700,000 Americans. Community banks channel local deposits into communities they serve spurring job creation, fostering innovation, and fueling their customers’ dreams.

Whitewater bankers delivered collected food donations and check to the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

PremierBank participated in area high school career fairs, including Fort Atkinson as pictured, to provide students with valuable opportunities to start their careers.

Bankers from our Jefferson location attended the Jefferson Middle School Family Finance Night to offer financial education on how to open a savings account, save for college, and more.

About the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation

The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting financial literacy and capability to the public. WBF works to empower consumers’ financial decisions through education, scholarships, grants, and research. (Tax ID 46-3791061.) For more information, please visit wisbankfoundation.org.

Janesville employees reading at a “Reading Raises Interest” story time at the Janesville Public Library.

About PremierBank

PremierBank was established over 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 $537 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 bankwithpremier.com.