Local Cents by Pillar Bank

Tough labor markets. Projected to get more challenging in the years ahead. Net new employment statewide in Wisconsin predicts a mere 129 workers will be added in 2030. Coupled with shortages in housing and childcare, it’s challenging for employers to attract people. That’s where Family Friendly Workplace (FFW) plays a role both helping employers recruit employees and aiding in economic development...

Exploring the concept of strong business relationships in banking inspired us to develop a sales and service playbook. Picture it as a sports team working together, reflecting on the teams Mission, Vision, and Values through our strategic plays.   By building and growing our customer base through asking the right questions and understanding the customers perspective. Success goes beyond sales and...

Having grown up on a Wisconsin farm and spent his career in Agriculture finance, Mike DeLong offers sage advice for farmers managing through economic cycles including today’s price down tick. Prices go up and prices go down – cycles typically last 18-32 months. Mike shares how farmers can manage risk, reduce expenses, and protect income. From crops to dairy to cattle, there are ways to help smooth...

Guest Charlie Walker, President of Chippewa Economic Development Corporation, discusses recruiting new businesses, supporting existing ones, assisting entrepreneurs, and attracting talent to Chippewa Falls, WI. Economic development involves listening, connecting people, and collaborating with various entities like Chambers and Universities. Like Pillar Bank, they help businesses by offering advice...

Discover the basics of digital banking with Pillar Bank’s Melissa Lokken and Ashley Chevrier. Take control of your finances by tuning in to this podcast where you’ll get digital insights and tips from local bank employees.

Welcome to Local Cents Podcast. In this episode, Pillar Bank experts Erik Thompson, Branch Retail Supervisor, and Hilari Henke, Universal Banker II explore the captivating world of financial literacy, motivating individuals of every age to take control of their financial futures. In this episode, we explore the most recent trends in financial planning, including budgeting, saving, investing, and P...

On this episode of Local Cents, we are joined by Shane Bauer, CEO of Pillar Bank.  Shane provides an update with what the bank is focused on for 2024, the headwinds and challenges of the banking industry, and much more.  Listen in and visit us online anytime at www.pillar.bank .  

Operating a farm is risky and on today's episode, we tackle managing risk with Mike DeLong, Vice President and Agricultural Lender with Pillar Bank.  Listen in and get the details about why managing risk is important and the tools in the toolkit that farmers can use to protect profits and reduce losses.  Visit us online at www.pillar.bank .  

On this episode of Local Cents by Pillar Bank, we chat with Mark Hojem about cyber security and what customers can do to be safer with their devices and accounts.  Mark is our bank's Systems Administrator and Internal Audit Coordinator.  Listen in and get some tips and tricks on cyber security.  Visit us online anytime at www.pillar.bank .  

Welcome back to Local Cents by Pillar Bank, your local banking podcast with topics relevant to you.  We are joined by Tom Kelly, Merchant Sales Manager with Wind River Payments.  Pillar Bank is proud to partner with Wind River Payments as our trusted merchant services provider.  Tom goes into detail on the company history, how Wind River partners with their customers to provide local customer serv...

Welcome back to Local Cents by Pillar Bank!  In our final episode in 2023, we look ahead to 2024 with Universal Banker Hilari Henke.  We talk budgeting and saving and how customers can plan in the new year.   Visit us online at www.pillar.bank - we wish everyone a very Happy New Year.  Look for new episodes of Local Cents in 2024.  

Welcome to Local Cents by Pillar Bank!  On this week's episode, we are joined by Mike DeLong, Vice President and Ag Loan Officer, and focus on the cost of production.  What is cost of production?  How does knowing your cost of production help drive decisions on your farm?  We answer those questions and more on this week's episode.   Visit us online at www.pillar.bank  

Welcome to Episode 8 of Local Cents by Pillar Bank.  We are joined this week by Lisa Lyon, Treasury Management Director.  We hit on the basics of treasury management and how treasury management services can benefit you and your business.  Reach out to Lisa and her team if you see any treasury management needs! Visit us online at www.pillar.bank.

On this episode of Local Cents by Pillar Bank, we sit down with Ashley Chevrier, Bookkeeping Specialist, and talk about the common types of fraud we see.  As we get closer to the holidays, fraud is more prevalent.  We discuss what you can do to avoid falling victim to fraud.   Visit us online at www.pillar.bank and feel free to contact us with your fraud questions.  

Although it still may be fall harvest for many producers, we're looking ahead to 2024.  On this episode of Local Cents by Pillar Bank, we sit down with Mike DeLong, Ag Banker at Pillar Bank, and discuss year end planning.  What considerations should a farmer look at when planning for 2024 crop inputs?  Does financing equipment before the end of the year make sense for your operation?  We answer th...

Welcome to episode 5 of Local Cents by Pillar Bank.  This episode we are joined by Lori Davis and Christine Buckman, personal and mortgage lenders.  Lori works out of our Chippewa Falls office and Christine works in our Baldwin office.  We "bring it home" by talking about what loan products we have to offer, what sets Pillar Bank apart when looking to purchase a home, and a bit about what higher i...

Welcome to episode 4 of Local Cents by Pillar Bank.  This week, we are joined by Neil Mathwig, Market President for Chippewa Falls, and Rick Bonlender, Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer.  We get down to business discussing what our commercial and business loan officers do, how they are more than just a lender, and how they are involved in the community outside of the bank.  Subscribe to o...

Welcome to Local Cents by Pillar Bank!  On episode 3, the focus is all on the farm with our team of agricultural bankers.  Host Isaac Christenson, Agriculture and Commercial Loan Officer, is joined by Mike DeLong, Vice President, Agriculture and Commercial Lender, and give a brief overview of their backgrounds and what the Pillar Bank ag team has to offer.  Subscribe to our podcast wherever you ge...

Welcome to Episode 2 of Local Cents by Pillar Bank.  We are joined by Pillar Bank Board Member Tom Hawley to take a look back on the bank's 140 years of history.  Listen in as Tom provides some stories and insight into Pillar Bank's past and what lies ahead.  We're also joined by Sarah Meyer, Marketing Coordinator, to highlight the upcoming branch events to celebrate Pillar Bank's long history.  

For our first episode of Local Cents by Pillar Bank, we sit down with President and CEO Shane Bauer and answer the question "What's in a rebrand?"  Pillar Bank, formerly First Bank of Baldwin, rebranded earlier this year, but what does it all mean?  Listen in!