A Note from our CEO, Scott Soderberg

Undoubtedly, you’ve been in a class, attended an informational gathering, or participated in an orientation meeting where the presenter requests that you ask any questions you may have while learning about the new subject or process. Invariably, you are given the assurance that “there are no dumb questions”. While I’ve proven that statement wrong on occasion, what I have found is that other folks in the room almost always do have the same question(s) you’d like to ask.


When I joined FNC Bank 13 years ago, first as a director and then later as part of the day-to-day operations here, one of the biggest revelations for me was the need for basic financial literacy in our communities. Looking back on my own life experiences, I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised. Having grown up in a banking family, you’d think I’d have a solid understanding of the financial system. Not so. While the pursuit of a business degree helped me begin to understand theory, it was not until I ran my own business for many years that I learned the truly important financial lessons.

My point is that in every area of life, including business and personal finance, knowledge is power. Unfortunately, financial education all too often comes only through trial and error. It should not be that way—most cannot afford the time, effort, and loss that comes with “learning the hard way”. As mentioned in a past column, Wisconsin implemented the first financial literacy requirement in our schools, mandating that they offer and students successfully complete a ½ credit course in that subject, beginning with the class of 2028 (this year’s freshmen class). This is a good start.

But what about those of us who need to know the ropes now, who have important financial goals but don’t necessarily know how to get there? The answer is, ASK US! We are financial professionals who have the knowledge and tools you need to understand business banking, treasury management, home mortgages, consumer saving and lending, and other banking processes to help you get where you dream of going. We have the added advantage of knowing the local area, because we live, work, and make all decisions here. Just like your teachers promised, there really are no bad questions, and you should absolutely challenge us to provide you with the most effective solutions for your situation. We are dedicated to constantly improving how we interact with you so we can provide the best customer experience possible. Give us the chance to prove it—I can assure you our customer list is full of people who had the same questions!