Do You Practice Safe Checks?

Despite the fact that check use has declined by 25%, reports of check fraud have soared. In fact, they’ve nearly doubled since 2021. If you’re using checks, please remember you’re exposing your personal information (name, contact information) and bank account info with each one you write. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated every day, finding new ways to steal your financial information and ultimately your money.  

Retirement may seem like a distant concept when you're in your 20s, but this is the best time to start laying the foundation for your future. The decisions you make today, no matter how small, can have a major impact on your financial stability decades from now. Whether you're fresh out of college or just getting established in your career, now is the time to begin planning for the life you want later.

While you don’t need...

Steph Schmid’s business name, Wisco Branding, proudly reflects both local heritage and her commitment to amplifying genuine brand voices for sustainable growth.

Before starting Wisco Branding, Steph Schmid worked in radio as a digital marketing consultant, gaining experience in scriptwriting and commercial production. Recognizing she could better serve customers with personalized and flexible solutions, she dove into entrepreneurship and launched Wisco Branding....

(2025) The dream of a higher education shouldn't be overshadowed by the reality of student loans. It's true, many of us will face this financial hurdle, but feeling overwhelmed doesn’t have to be the result.  You can take control. This article empowers you with practical strategies to manage student debt, both before you enroll and long after graduation, turning potential anxiety into confident action.

For years, banks and credit unions have encouraged account holders to switch to e-statements by highlighting environmental benefits. While reducing environmental impact is important, it isn’t the game-changer. What truly is the motivating factor? Security!

A single stolen statement can give a fraudster everything they need to drain an account, open new credit lines, or take out loans in someone else’s name!

The FBI recently issued a warning to the public that scammers are taking advantage of the mass casualty events and disasters of the world by establishing fake charities. They are also posing as disaster relief agencies so they can collect your personal information and/or are pretending to be high-profile victims to tug at your heartstrings and acquire your donations. You’ll find these schemes online as well as in-person during collection drives.

In 2024, the FBI...

(Spring 2025) At Prevail Bank, we’re writing 29 checks this Spring in support of our communities! Community is at the heart of everything we do and we’re investing $82,500 in local organizations through our Charitable Contributions Program! As a community bank, our mission extends beyond banking—we're here to help our communities grow and thrive. Whether it's supporting nonprofits or funding impactful programs, we're dedicated to making a difference.

Here’s...

Driven by a passion for community impact and aligned with the values of American Family Insurance, Hanna Sellner established her own business in 2023, Hanna Sellner Agency, LLC, to offer personalized insurance solutions. Her endeavor is built upon her background in account management, sales roles, and her ties to community through coaching high school volleyball at Regis Catholic School in Eau Claire.

Hanna’s office is guided by the core values of accountability,...

(2025) At Prevail Bank, we believe investing in the future means providing the next generation with essential financial skills. That’s why we proudly support and partner with local K-12 Junior Achievement (JA) programs and participate in the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation’s Reading Raises Interest event every year.

Through funds and personnel, we help ensure money management curriculums, instruction guides, classroom materials and activities are available to...

When seeking financing for your business, it’s crucial to remember that the relationship between you and your lender is a two-way street. While the bank evaluates your creditworthiness and ability to repay, you also have the opportunity to demonstrate that you’re a reliable partner. As a lender, I understand the importance of these interactions. But as someone who also sits on the side of the table as a customer, I know how vital it is to present yourself in a way...