The Bank of Mauston and Central Insurance Services are excited to announce the addition of Vicki Gay, Commercial Insurance Agent,           to its team!

While she may be new to Central Insurance Services, Vicki is no stranger to the insurance industry, bringing a vast background of experience with her.  Vicki has worked in the field for the past 20 years, and for ten of those years she operated her own agency in Lake Delton.

Now, Vicki will put that experience to use in providing Central Insurance Services’ commercial clients with answers to all of their          insurance needs.

Vicki can write policies for:

• Business
• Home
• Personal and/or commercial auto
• Workman’s compensation
• Life
• Health
• More!

To learn how Vicki can help you with getting a new insurance policy, making changes to an existing policy and/or filing a claim, give her a    call at 608-847-6750, or stop by to see her in the office which is located in the lobby of The Bank of Mauston’s main location on Highway 82     in Mauston.  She is also available to meet with customers by appointment at The Bank of Mauston’s locations in Lyndon Station, Necedah, New Lisbon and Wisconsin Dells.

*Central Insurance Services products are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by                                                                  The Bank of Mauston and are not FDIC insured.*

With Americans spending more and saving less, young people often don’t learn valuable personal financial skills that will benefit them throughout life.

Together, educators, bankers and parents can help children build good financial habits from an early age.  That’s why The Bank of Mauston was proud to participate in the 17^th annual National Teach Children to Save Day.

During the weeks of April 22 & 29, volunteers from The Bank of Mauston visited second grade classes in Mauston, Lyndon Station, Necedah and New Lisbon to read this year’s featured book, ‘The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense’ by Stan and Jan Berenstain.  In addition to reading this book to area students, volunteers from the bank did an activity with each class.  The activity taught kids how to count money, make wise financial choices, make a budget, and keep track of their allowance money throughout the week.

The Bank of Mauston also gave students an extra incentive to start saving with the organization.  At the end of their presentations, bank employees gave each kid a goody bag.  Inside were some fun items, and there was also a certificate to bring back to the bank.  With this certificate, if a savings account is opened for the student – at any branch – with a minimum $5 deposit, the child will receive a free ‘cow bank’ to continue his or her good-saving-habits at home.  Parents, if you had a second grader who heard the bank’s presentation during the week of April 22 or 29 in either Mauston, Lyndon Station, Necedah or New Lisbon, be sure to check for this certificate, or ask your child about it. 

For more information about this incentive, call The Bank of Mauston’s Director of Marketing, Amanda Emery, at 608-847-6200.

Each year, The Bank of Mauston participates in National Teach Kids to Save Day. Pictured here reading ‘The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense’ to second graders at Westside Elementary School in Mauston are bank employees (l-r) Karri Olson (Teller), Brianna Johnson (Teller) and Lori Winkelman (Consumer Lender).

Audrey Kallies, Customer Service Representative from The Bank of Mauston New Lisbon branch, is pictured here reading ‘The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense’ to New Lisbon second graders. During the weeks of April 22 & 29, bank volunteers visited local schools to present kids with the right tools to begin a solid foundation in saving as part of National Teach Kids to Save Day.

Seifried & Brew LLC, a community bank risk management firm, named The Bank of Mauston in its 2012 Top 15^th Percentile of Community Banks, which was announced in May.  To gain entry into this distinguished ranking, the bank demonstrated exemplary performance of balancing risk and reward based on the organization’s S&B Total Risk/Return Composite Ranking.  This is no small feat considering that The Bank of Mauston not only survived the financial crisis but actually thrived.  This supports Seifried & Brew’s belief that conservative, traditional community banking is the strength of our financial system.

In S&B’s book, The Art of Capital Planning – The ‘How-To’ Guide, the author’s clearly demonstrate that the difference between the banks that failed and those that survived the financial crisis, or even those that prospered, was each bank’s ability to optimize risk.  While the word “optimize” sounds incongruous with the threats of risk, the truth is that community banks make money from managed risk.  Those banks ranking in the 2012 S&B Top 15^th Percentile of Community Banks – like The Bank of Mauston – epitomize such optimization of managed risk.

From February 18 to April 20, all of The Bank of Mauston’s Juneau County locations (Mauston – Main bank and Downtown branch, Lyndon Station, Necedah and New Lisbon) collected items to be given to Carl W. Nelson Animal Shelter (CWNAS).  During that time frame, across the five locations, there were 14 ‘dog houses’ filled with donations. 

As an added bonus, the bank had pledged to donate $50 to the shelter for every ‘dog house’ filled with supplies. This corresponded to a check for $700 to CWNAS from The Bank of Mauston.  In addition, area residents and employees of The Bank of Mauston made monetary contributions that totaled $559, bringing the total of funds raised for CWNAS from the bank’s drive to $1259!

The Bank of Mauston Dells Delton branch also collected items, and these supplies were donated to Sauk County Humane Society.  Over the two months of the drive, the branch brought in four dog houses of supplies – which also produced a donation of $200 from the bank.

This drive was a true success and the bank could not have done it without the help and support of generous community members.  To these individuals, the bank would like to say thank you – you helped the organization carry out its goal of ‘Helping our community grow!’

On April 25, some of The Bank of Mauston’s (BOM) employees presented members of Carl W. Nelson Animal Shelter (CWNAS) with a check for $700 - the amount of matching funds that corresponded with the amount of items brought to the bank’s Juneau County locations during the recent Animal Shelter Supply Drive. Pictured here with the check are (l-r): Ann June (CWNAS), Amanda Emery (BOM), Lori Winkelman (BOM), Sharon Weidling (BOM), Kathy Storandt (CWNAS) and Mike Roraff (CWNAS).

During The Bank of Mauston’s recent Animal Shelter Supply Drive, the Dells Delton branch of the bank collected items to be given to Sauk County Humane Society. A total of four ‘dog houses’ were filled with supplies, which translated into a $200 donation from the bank. Pictured here is Sauk County Humane Society’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, Amanda Kraus (center), accepting a check for $200 from bank employees (l-r): Mary Lewis, Jackie Myers, Karen Johnson and Mary Ann Muench.

Leave behind the stress and worry of paying bills on time by using FREE Online Bill Pay at The Bank of Mauston.  Some benefits of this service include:

• paying unlimited monthly bills at no extra cost
• scheduling automatic payments – which means no more lost mail or late fees
• eliminating trips to the post office for mailing payments and/or buying postage
• making safer, simplified and more secure transactions in just a few clicks
• reviewing pending and paid payments in one easy-to-access location
• helping the environment by reducing paper waste
• paying bills is faster and simpler than writing checks
• adding a layer of protection to your account

Online Bill Pay at The Bank of Mauston is available to individuals, as well as businesses.  Signing up is easy!  To get started, log into internet banking in the top left box.  Then you click on Bill Pay from the options on the top bar.  You will need to accept the terms of use agreement, and once you have done that, you can select the account that you wish to pay your bills from.  You will then be redirected to the secure Online Bill Pay website.  From there, you will be instructed set-by-step on how to set up payees and schedule payments.  If you need further assistance, please contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable bookkeepers at 608-847-6200.

Do you plan to travel during the winter months? 

Did you know that having a debit card from The Bank of Mauston is a safer and more convenient alternative to carrying cash – especially when on vacation? 

Using debit cards from The Bank of Mauston provide one of the easiest methods of managing money because they are accepted world-wide at any merchant displaying the Mastercard logo, including automatic teller machines (ATMs) for cash access.  However, if you are not comfortable using your personal identification number (PIN) when you are away from home (or on everyday purchases), all you have to do is choose the credit option at the terminal, or ask the cashier to process your sale as credit.  The price of the transaction will then be deducted from your checking account – just as it is when you use your PIN.

In addition to being convenient, debit cards are also safer than carrying cash because if your card is ever lost or stolen, you can rest assured that the caring staff members at The Bank of Mauston will work diligently to resolve discrepancies that may arise on your account.  You will not be liable for unauthorized purchases if you report your card as lost or stolen as soon as you realize the card is missing.

Whether are traveling overseas or staying closer to home, the staff members at The Bank of Mauston want to ensure that you are financially safe – while still having the convenient access to your money that you have come to expect.  You can have both safety and convenience with a debit card from The Bank of Mauston.  If you would like more information on how you can sign-up for a debit card, and start prepping for your travel plans today, contact The Bank of Mauston’s Debit Card Manager, Donna Hineline, at 608-847-6200. 

During the month of October, The Bank of Mauston made it possible for local women to win gift cards to Festival Foods in Mauston … and make a difference for Cancer Care patients at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston – just by grocery shopping!

In September, Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation held its fifth annual Women’s Night Out.  All ladies who attended the event received a special black and pink, free, reusable grocery bag from The Bank of Mauston.  These gals were encouraged to keep their bags to use at Festival Foods in Mauston.  Each time one of these bags were spotted by a cashier at Festival Foods during the month October, ladies received an entry form to bring back to The Bank of Mauston’s main bank location.  The forms gave participants a chance to win gift cards to Festival Foods. 

Each Friday in October, bank employees drew one name for a $25 Festival Foods gift card from the entries brought in that week.  Then, on November 1, all entry forms received throughout the month of October were combined and one name was drawn for a $100 gift card to Festival Foods.

But, the bank did not only give away gift cards through this special promotion.  The Bank of Mauston’s Director of Marketing, Amanda Emery, explains, “In October, the nation observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Here at The Bank of Mauston, we wanted to do something to help local efforts in the fight against cancer.  So, in addition to giving away gift cards to Festival Foods, the bank also gave $0.50 for every form turned in, to Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation.  The funds will be used to provide free wigs, hats and/or scarves to Cancer Care patients receiving treatments in Mauston.”

Emery continued, “The program received a warm response, with one participant even thanking us for supporting local cancer patients.  It is a disease that has touched all of us in one form or another, and this is just The Bank of Mauston’s small way of helping out.”

For more information on the products and/or services offered at any of The Bank of Mauston’s six convenient locations, call 608-847-6200.  If you would like to know how you can support local Cancer Care patients, please contact Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation Executive Director, Martha Airth-Kindree, at 608-847-1495.

Winners included:

Week #1, October 5 – Roselle Ruetten of Mauston

Week #2, October 12 – Terri Stull of Mauston

Week #3, October 19 – Kristi Kielstrup of Elroy

Week #4, October 26 – Terrilynn Strode of Mauston

Grand prize winner – Mary Britzke of New Lisbon

Mary Britzke (left) was the lucky grand prize winner in The Bank of Mauston’s ‘Reusable Bag’ promotion. Ladies who attended the 5th annual Women’s Night Out in September received a free, reusable shopping bag from the bank. Each time these bags were spotted at Festival Foods, participants received an entry form that made them eligible to win gift cards to Festival Foods. At the end of the promotion, all enteries were combined to draw a grand prize winner. Pictured here presenting Mary with her $100 Festival Foods gift card is The Bank of Mauston’s Marketing Director, Amanda Emery.

The Bank of Mauston is excited to introduce Elizabeth (Liz) Anderson as its Consumer Lender.  While she may be new to the position, she is not new to the bank – having started work here in 1980 in the Bookkeeping Department. 

Most recently you would have recognized Liz if you came in to open a checking or savings account, or applied for a debit and/or credit card.  Now, she is ready to help qualify you for consumer and/or personal loans that will fit your specific needs.

When asked about her new position at The Bank of Mauston, Liz had this to say, “Having lived in this community for so long, I have gotten to know many of my customers over the years.  I feel as though I was able to help them meet their specific needs – whether that was by opening a new savings account for them or by explaining something about their statement.”

She continued, “Now, I am excited to be able to offer these same customers one more aspect – loans.  I will be able to help people purchase things such as that new car, recreational vehicle or snowmobile they have always wanted.  I will be able to tailor loans to match my customers’ individual needs – making it possible for me to be more than just a lender, but be your personal lender.”

To learn how Liz can be your personal lender and help you make that purchase you’ve always wanted, call her today at 608-847-6200!

The Bank of Mauston is excited to announce that Liz Anderson is the newest member of its lending staff. Pictured here welcoming Liz (second from left) as Consumer Lender at the main bank in Mauston, are (l-r) bank employees Amanda Emery (Director of Marketing), Bob Fait (President of The Bank of Mauston) and Sandy Linsmeyer (Vice President/Real Estate Loan Officer).

On October 30, some of The Bank of Mauston employees presented Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation Executive Director, Martha Airth-Kindree (second from left), Mile Bluff Medical Center President/CEO, James O’Keefe (back, middle), and Mile Bluff Medical Center Cancer Care Director, Rhonda Larson (third from left), with a check for $4,100. Bank employees pictured here (l-r) include: Liz Anderson (Consumer Lender), Molly Scully (Director of Human Resources), Judy Gosselin (Loan Processor), Kari Schmidt (Board Member), Sharon Weidling (Teller), Donna Hineline (Debt Card Manager), Sandy Linsmeyer (Real Estate Lender), Erin Buttner (Teller), Erin McGlew (Teller), Roxanne Shragal (Administrative Assistant) and Amanda Emery (Director of Marketing).

If you have been to any of The Bank of Mauston’s six convenient locations on Fridays, chances are you have seen employees wearing jeans.  These team members are those who have decided to participate in a payroll deduction program, and for the third straight year, the benefactor has been Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation.

Due to an overwhelming positive response to this program, bank employees were able to present foundation representatives with a check for $4,100 on October 30.  This money will go toward purchasing bedside trays for patients who utilize the Cancer Care Department at Mile Bluff Medical Center.   

Speaking on behalf of The Bank of Mauston employees, Director of Marketing, Amanda Emery, stated, “Each year bank employees vote on which local, non-profit organization they would like their automatic payroll deductions to go to.  Each year two things continue to come up that are important for our employees: giving back to our local community and supporting cancer patients.  We decided what better way for us to accomplish this than by donating our funds to Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation to be used by the Cancer Care Department!?”

For more information on how you can make a donation to Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation, like The Bank of Mauston employees did, please contact Foundation Executive Director, Martha Airth-Kindree, at 608-847-1495.

Many people are receiving an email supposedly from FedEx similar to the ones listed below:

BillingOnline@fedex.com                                        Pay your Fedex invoice online.

BillingOnline@fedex.com                                        Your Fedex invoice is ready.

These are NOT legitimate emails; any attachment or links associated with the emails are designed to either infect your computer with malware or attempt to gain information about you. If you are expecting an invoice from FedEx or any other type of communication from them, verify over the phone the email address that your corresponding email will be coming from, and that the invoice number is correct.