The Wisconsin Bankers Association donated $50,000 to banks in the state through seven grants. .The grants support economic development, housing, community investment along with housing, cyber and financial literacy. Donations included: $10,000 to Bank Five Nine in Oconomowoc, to provide home buyer seminars through the United Community Center and Housing Resources Inc. $10,000 to CBI Bank & Trust for its Special Purpose Mortgage program by providing financial assistance for down payment and closing expenses to qualified borrowers in Wisconsin. $10,000 to The Equitable Bank, Wauwatosa. The bank will partner with Milwaukee-based nonprofit Better Stewards to promote financial capability and strategic housing stability. Grant funds will also expand structured post-purchase financial education and coaching initiative Beyond the Keys. $5,000 to Abbotsford-based AbbyBank to expand its fraud education, cybersecurity and financial literacy education for low- to moderate-income communities and individuals. $5,000 to Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Waterloo, to support the bank’s youth-focused work throughout the year. The initiatives educate young people on bank services, saving and making good financial decisions.$5,000 to Port Washington State Bank. The bank will partner with St. Vincent de Paul to unveil a structured financial education program $5,000 to Waumandee State Bank for fraud prevention and financial literacy courses. “Financial literacy and housing assistance give individuals and families in our state the foundation they need to succeed,” said Wisconsin Bankers Association President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels. “We are proud to provide this grant opportunity that allows banks and nonprofit organizations to strengthen their programs.”
