Coulee Courier

We invite you to join us at Grand Old Day in St. Paul on Sunday, June 2nd. It’s one of the Midwest’s largest free festivals and boasts about 200,000 people. This unique opportunity brings in more individuals than we would normally see in a month operating at our branch from 9-5. In addition, it is generally a positive experience for our staff because they thrive on the energy and excitement of this event.

We chose to open our branch in this vibrant and bustling area because it truly captures the heart of the community. With its pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and thriving residential presence, we knew it was the perfect place to connect with our customers on a personal level. While we could have chosen a more commercially developed district, we wanted to prioritize building meaningful connections with the neighborhood.

These connections are important to us because community means fostering strong, supportive relationships that extend beyond mere financial transactions. It involves understanding the unique needs, aspirations, and challenges faced by the individuals, families, and businesses we serve. Because we prioritize relationships, teamwork is essential to help realize our customers’ dreams. There are phases to the execution that involve both forward-facing and operational staff. Teamwork is an integral part of executing opportunities for those individuals.

We hope to see you at Grand Old Day. There is so much to enjoy for people of all ages. You won’t want to miss the parade, live music, car show, family fun zone, fun run, arts district, and of course, the food. There will be over 150 food vendors! I think that is my favorite part of this special day.

~Dirk Gasterland, CEO

Owning a Home is a Solid Investment



Buying a home in this economic climate

June is homeownership month, and at Coulee Bank, we have good news for you. Even though you may be apprehensive about buying a home in this financial climate, rates won’t stay high forever. It’s better to buy the house and rent the rate.

Owning a home is a solid investment offering predictable monthly payments with a fixed-rate mortgage. You earn equity each month which is like savings. You can tap into the equity or savings for home upgrades once you have built enough equity.

Should I buy a house now or wait?

Kris Farwell, Director of Mortgage at Coulee Bank, paints a telling picture of why you should purchase a home in this financial climate. She says, “Anecdotally, in 1971 the average interest rate was just over 7% (vs. approx. 7% currently). At that time, if you’d waited to buy until the interest rates went down, you would have waited until 1993.” That means whatever home or apartment you lived in during those years would have helped your landlord gain equity in the property they owned. Meanwhile, real estate values quadrupled in the same 22-year period. “Don’t wait. Marry the house, rent the rate!” 

Am I financially prepared to buy a house?

There are several things to consider before you buy a home. First, do you have a steady job? While this may seem obvious, think back to 2020 when the pandemic forced millions of people to be furloughed. While we cannot predict the future, it’s good to consider the stability of your job.

Are you prepared to stay in the area long-term? Can you envision yourself in a home for at least 3-5 years? If you are contemplating starting a family, you know you are in it for the long haul.

If you are comfortable managing debt, and you have an emergency fund already established, you are a good candidate for buying a home. A low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is an important factor in qualifying for a loan as well. But what is DTI?

What is Debt-to-Income Ratio?

Farwell says, “Debt-to-income ratio is all of your monthly debts including future house payment, (principal, interest, taxes, private mortgage insurance), homeowners’ association fees, car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc.” This number as a percentage of your income before taxes is your debt-to-income ratio.

Debt not included in monthly obligations are monthly subscriptions, cell phones, car insurance, etc. Farwell recommends talking to a lender who will be a true consultant as you can often qualify for a loan that has a payment higher than you’re comfortable with. Talk with your local lender about how you spend your income to meet your lifestyle. Farwell says, “A true mortgage professional, like the lenders at Coulee Bank, can help you evaluate your financial situation and credit profile and help you get pre-approved or make a plan to help you work towards buying a home.”

Can I afford a down payment?

“I can’t give you a yes or no answer because there are a lot of different programs for first-time home buyers,” says Farwell. “Some programs offer 0% down, and most offer a minimum of 3-5% downpayments. There are also downpayment assistance programs you may be eligible for.” But, she says, a downpayment isn’t the only factor. There are closing costs that can vary from 3-6% of the purchase price. To help with those costs, sometimes family members can help, or you can ask the sellers to contribute.



All told there are a lot of moving parts, but it doesn’t need to be scary or intimidating. We are ready to consult with you today to help you meet your homeownership goals.

From Communicating in the Classroom to Communicating in an Interview

Interview tips for new graduates

Schooling prepares you for the workforce in a variety of ways, how to meet deadlines, work in a team environment, and think critically. You attended classes, lunch, and extracurricular activities each day and on time. You will be expected to do this in the workforce too. Now it’s time to take those learned skills and transition into the workforce. But first, how do you prepare for an interview to transition from classroom to career?

Pre-planning for an Interview

Get your resume in tip-top shape even if your past jobs aren’t directly related to the position you are seeking. Lori DuMars, Human Resources Generalist at Coulee Bank says, “All experience is good experience. There are a lot of life skills being learned in every position.” If you worked in fast food, you learned valuable customer service skills and how to deal with difficult customers. You may have learned to count money and work as a team. Every job shows you were motivated to show up and do the work, so include this in your resume.

Once you have crafted your resume, have someone review it for grammar, punctuation, and typos. It shows a level of professionalism to submit a well-written resume with no mistakes. DuMars says, “If you choose to add a career objective at the top of your resume, make sure you personalize it for each position and each company.”

Do Your Homework

Before any interview, make sure you know the company’s values and mission statement and ask questions. It shows you have taken the time to think about the role and the company. Amy Bauer, Chief Human Resources Officer says, “Ask genuine and sincere questions that will relate to the position, and remember, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.”

Prepare for behavioral interview questions. These questions encourage you to describe situations and tell how you managed them. DuMars says, “Use the STAR method to respond to behavioral questions. Describe a specific Situation, and what your Task or responsibility was in this situation. Explain your Actions and what the Results were.” This is a great way to show how you react to situations and exhibit your problem-solving skills. Pro-tip: bring a copy of your resume to have on hand with notes written in a different color about how you managed different work experiences.

Virtual or In-Person Interview

Whether your interview is virtual or in person, arrive at least 10 minutes early. In a virtual setting, this allows you time to get your computer or phone set up in a quiet room where you will not be interrupted. “You may need to blur the background or select a professional background setting depending on your location,” says DuMars.

If your interview is in person, map out your drive. It’s important to look for road construction and determine if there are any delays. Again, make sure you are at least 10 minutes early. DuMars says, “Arriving early allows you time to watch the staff interact with each other and their customers. This is a valuable opportunity that shows a lot about the culture of the organization.”

When your interviewer arrives, smile, look them in the eye, and give them a firm handshake. Non-verbal communication is as important as verbal communication.

If you need to cancel or reschedule an interview, let the interviewer know in advance. If you get another opportunity or decide it’s not a good fit before the interview, let them know. Ghosting is unprofessional and shows you don’t care. If the position you applied for isn’t the right fit, another opportunity might arise, and they will remember your resume and stellar communication skills.

Answering Interview Questions

Take a breath before you respond. Be direct and specific. Bauer says, “Answer the question or describe the situation in approximately 30 seconds to three minutes maximum. Any less and it shows you aren’t interested, and any more means you are rambling. Rambling will cause the interviewer to lose interest in the conversation.” She goes on to say answers should be authentic and not scripted. The interview will be more comfortable as a conversation.

If you cannot think of an answer right away, it’s okay. A brief silence is acceptable. If you cannot think of an answer within a brief period, politely ask the interviewer to move on to the next question and come back to the question. Be prepared to go back to that question.

Both Bauer and DuMars agree to keep all answers positive. “Talking negatively shows you are blaming others instead of accepting any accountability. Taking accountability for yourself is very important,” says Bauer. It’s crucial to leave personal drama out of the conversation. And if you decide partway through the interview that it’s not a good fit, it’s okay to politely tell the interviewer so you don’t waste their time or yours.

Interview Follow Up

Immediately following the interview, send a thank you note to each person you interviewed with. Be patient, the interviewers are likely working with several people to find the right fit for the job. Even though you feel like you are the right fit for the position, there may be someone else more qualified for the role.

If you are a recent graduate, it’s important to remember entry-level jobs are acceptable for your level of experience. DuMars says, “Don’t expect to get a managerial position if you are a recent graduate.” She says to accept the job you are offered and work hard. You may have to do tasks you don’t want to do. By doing these tasks, it shows you have an excellent work ethic, and in time, you may be promoted. “At Coulee Bank, we have several employees who started as Tellers and were promoted to different roles within the organization. We love to promote from within the organization.”

If you don’t get the position you applied for, they may consider you for a different role in the future. It’s important not to burn any bridges. Be gracious, professional, and positive. The right position will come along.

Tips from IT

Safeguarding Our Elders from Financial Exploitation

June 15 marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a crucial time to spotlight the increasing issue of financial exploitation targeting our senior community. Staying vigilant and informed is essential, as scammers often update their tactics to prey on vulnerabilities. Here are several tips to help protect against common financial scams:

1. Medicare and Health Insurance Scams: Scammers may pose as Medicare representatives to extract personal information or offer fictitious services at makeshift mobile clinics. Always verify the contact's identity through known and official channels before providing personal information.

2. Telemarketing and Charity Scams: Whether it’s a fake accident ploy or a fraudulent charity, these scams play on emotions to elicit money transfers and personal details. Be cautious with unsolicited calls and donate directly to known organizations through their verified websites or official phone numbers.

3. IT and Tech Support Scams: Elderly individuals might also face fake tech support calls claiming their computer is at risk. Remember, legitimate companies do not make unsolicited contact to fix computers or request remote access.

Protecting our elders is everyone’s responsibility. By staying educated on these schemes, we can help guard our loved ones against the nefarious activities of scammers aiming to exploit them financially.

Stay Safe!

Coulee in the Community

Coulee Bank is dedicated to excellence in the workplace while fostering growth and support in the neighborhoods we call home. We volunteer because we have the power to make a difference! 

Shred It For Safety!

Big shoutout to our amazing employees in La Crosse and Onalaska for helping the community stay safe from fraud and identity theft by shredding important documents. The Shred Events were well-attended. Thank you to everyone who came out and helped us make a positive impact on the environment. Let's keep shredding and making a difference!

Fraud & Identity Theft Presentation

Coulee Bank had the honor of presenting at the Holmen Community Center in Wisconsin on Fraud and Identity Theft. We shared valuable tips on Prevention, Recognition, Recording, and Reporting Fraud. Stay tuned we'll be sharing some exclusive insights from this event!

We were thrilled to sponsor a table at the Spring Fling for Women's Fund. The Women's Fund serves women in the greater La Crosse area by providing access to education, housing, employment, health care, and other necessities.



This event included mingling, dining, live music, shopping, and laughter while generously donating money to this organization.

Twin Cities Clean Up!

Employees in the Twin Cities rolled up their sleeves and picked up trash in the neighborhood! Thank you for making the Twin Cities a cleaner place for all!

Local Celebrity Tennis Match

The Coulee Region Tennis Association hosted their annual Tennis Block Party! Our very own Coulee Bank employees hit the court for some "celebrity" tennis matches, and they had a ball!

United Way Luncheon

We celebrated 75 years of making a difference in our community with Great Rivers United Way! Here's to 75 more years of impact and positive change!

BINGO at Eagle Crest North & South

Coulee Bank employees are dedicated to bringing joy to the communities we serve. It was heartwarming to see the interaction and memories made between our staff and the seniors at Eagle Crest North and South. Bingo was a great way to connect!

Coulee Bank employees in Rochester volunteered at Paws and Claws Humane Society and helped prepare for their rummage sale. Their annual rummage sale is June 1 - 2! Stop by the Rochester Fairgrounds to help them raise money! If you can't make it to the rummage sale, consider donating some of the items on their wish list.

Employee Spotlight

In time, she was promoted and helped implement the secondary market loan programs with Government-sponsored Investors, as well as an in-house credit card program. These were functions Kim was happy to learn so she could better help the customers at Coulee Bank.

Kim continued to learn more about different types of loan serving, including the SBA reporting processes. In time, Kim became a supervisor, and brought another team member on to learn the servicing side of the loan programs. With the growth of the bank and the need for additional help, Kim was able to add another employee to the Loan Servicing team. Kim has kept her head down, works hard, and continues to learn as processes continually change.

Currently, Kim has three people in the loan servicing department, including herself, and still loves coming to work every day. She enjoys implementing new processes and making her department run more efficiently. New challenges inspire her.

Kim accomplished all of this without a college degree. She encourages those who are looking into different careers and do not have a college degree to check out Coulee Bank. One of the many perks of working at Coulee Bank is tuition reimbursement. Overall, Kim says this is a wonderful place to work and is very happy with her career in banking.

We love a reason to celebrate with our colleagues!

Let's give a BIG shoutout to all our amazing colleagues with June birthdays! We hope your special day is filled with joy, laughter, and lots of cake! Cheers to another year of creating awesome memories. Happy birthday!

Let's give a big round of applause to the incredible Coulee Bank employees celebrating their work-i-versary! They're absolutely crushing it and we couldn't be more proud of their hard work and dedication.

Customer Spotlight

Thank you to our AMAZING customers for choosing us for all your banking needs! We are grateful for your loyalty, support, and trust in our products and services. Here's to many more years of building a strong relationship together!

Callie Horstman, The Hive Chiropractic Center

Callie Horstman has been serving the Coulee Region in chiropractor care since 2018. Her business, The Hive Chiropractic Center, strives to create healthier families one visit at a time. She chose this profession because she wanted to work in health care, yet she wanted to take a more proactive approach. She says, “Typically health care is reactive. When you have an issue, you receive medication or surgery from a doctor. However, chiropractic care is all about the nervous system and helping it run efficiently and effectively allowing the body to heal itself.” This is a more proactive approach.

A couple of years after her chiropractic clinic was open, her dog jumped out of the window of her car at 50 miles per hour. She assessed the dog to the best of her knowledge, and she called her vet. When her vet didn’t return her call, she realized there was a place for her talents in the animal world.

She closed the doors to her business for 15 days so she could attend vet chiropractic classes through Animal Chiropractic Education Services in Texas. The training was intensive with lectures, practical labs, quizzes, and exams. She returned to her practice in Wisconsin with a certification in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (cAVCA). She has been serving the animal population ever since.

Horstman came to Coulee Bank after researching many local banks. She chose Coulee Bank because she says she felt like Jodi Ehrenberger, SVP, Business Banking Officer, listened to her goals and aspirations. Horstman wanted to open a second location in Galesville and needed someone to provide support and sound advice. Ehrenberger made her feel welcome. “Jodi connected with me, and she believed in me. Jodi listened as we talked through what the second location would look like.”

“I work hard, and I have a thriving business,” says Horstman. “I know I am the one who made my business a success, and I am grateful to Jodi and Coulee Bank for supporting my dreams.”

Megan O'Leary, Chops Inc.

Meet Megan O'Leary, Executive Director at Chops, Inc., a nonprofit offering music education to underserved adolescents. The arts and arts education are a powerful tool that can help express big emotions and connect with others on a deeper level.

O'Leary says, "Arts programs have been cut or are being cut from many schools, especially Title I schools serving low-income students. Arts are an important outlet for students, especially those suffering from anxiety and depression in an increasingly challenging learning environment."

Chops provides music education to help supplement scholastic music programs. They have an enormous trailer that delivers an entire classroom's worth of steel drums to low-oncome schools for six weeks at a time. Chops' artists-in-residence then teach students how to play the steel drums.

In addition to artist-in-residency programs, Chops provides after school drumlines. We offer free steel drum residencies to Title 1 schools that qualify for federal funding. Many of the urban-core schools don't have a full-time music specialist, or any music special at all, so this is an important way that we can support arts in public schools," says O'Leary.

Over the last decade, Chops has developed pro-level steel drum bands that entertain Minnesota audiences for free. "We have the Pan-handlers, a professional group that performs around town in the summer months, bringing a Caribbean vibe to Minnesota. They perform at Roseville Amphitheater, Lake Harriet Bandshell, and the Como Lakeside Pavilion," says O'Leary. Another program is Tin Cups, a fan favorite that can be seen around the region at dozens of parades each summer.

O'Leary chose to do business with Coulee Bank on a personal level many years ago. She says, "For day-to-day transactions, Coulee Bank makes the process easy and efficient. I don't have to wait to make an appointment like with other larger banks. I can walk into a branch, and someone is there to talk to me." When she started her position at Chops, she decided to move the financial piece to Coulee Bank as well.

Ben Lillie says, "Megan has been a consistently good partner with Coulee Bank for years. She has been somebody who worked with us within multiple businesses of which she's been a part. She's provided us with multiple referrals through the years, as well." Lillie believes she has been a good customer and both sides of the relationship treat one another with respect and kindness and work together to make sure that her business is well taken care of!

Coulee Bank proudly sponsors Chops for Grand Old Day in St. Paul on Sunday, June 2. Coulee Bank looks forward to walking alongside members of the organization during the parade while the Tin Cups Steel Drum Bank brings the summer vibe to Grand Avenue!

Customer Testimonials

Disclaimer - All content contained in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon to make any financial, accounting, tax, legal or other related decisions. Each person must consider his or her objectives, risk tolerances and level of comfort when making financial decisions and should consult a competent professional advisor prior to making any such decisions. Any opinions expressed through the content in this newsletter are the opinions of the particular author only.