Waldo State Bank Awarded $10,000 Housing and Economic Development Grant
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is pleased to announce that Waldo State Bank has been selected to receive one of five $10,000 awards to support housing and housing literacy, economic development/community investment, and financial or cyber literacy in Wisconsin.
“Affordable housing and housing literacy is an acute need for individuals and families in our state and is a critical driver for our economy’s workforce needs,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “We are proud to offer this inaugural grant opportunity, which showcases the partnership of Wisconsin banks and non-profit organizations to strengthen programming that empowers Wisconsinites to become financially capable, promotes homeownership, and builds wealth that can be passed on to future generations.”
Waldo State Bank will support Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) — a non-profit organization with HUD-accredited and NFCC-certified (National Foundation for Credit Counseling) counselors — in providing the Open the Door Homeownership (ODHO) program for new homebuyers. The grant funding will drive awareness of the ODHO homebuyer education classes through radio, print media, etc., to underserved and marginalized populations, provide a manual to participants (available in English, Hmong, and Spanish), and offer one-to-one counseling required for most downpayment assistance programs.
“We at Waldo State Bank are grateful to be selected to receive the grant on behalf of CCCS. CCCS provides vital services to the community for financial education, assistance, and literacy,” stated Tom Reil, CEO of WSB.
Other award recipients include Columbia Savings and Loan Association, Milwaukee, Wis.; Community First Bank, Boscobel, Wis.; Peoples State Bank, Prairie du Chien, Wis.; and Premier Community Bank, Marion, Wis.
About the Wisconsin Bankers Association
Founded in 1892, WBA is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing nearly 190 commercial banks and savings institutions, their branches, and 30,000 employees. The Association represents banks of all sizes in Wisconsin, and 97 percent of banks in the state are WBA members.
