Heartland Business Bank

Wisconsin Business Bank leading Guaranteed Lender in State

Wisconsin Business Bank, headquartered in Sheboygan, led the state in government guaranteed loans for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, bank chairman Russell Schuler announced today.

According to recently released U.S. Government data, Wisconsin Business Bank originated over $28,000,000 in government guaranteed loans during the government's fiscal year, more than any other bank in Wisconsin. Associated Bank was the second leading Wisconsin guaranteed lender, while M&I Bank, the largest bank holding company in Wisconsin, came in fifth. The data was compiled by the Coleman Report, the SBA Lender's Industry Information Source.

In addition to leading the state in government guaranteed loans, Wisconsin Business Bank ranked 7th in the nation in Rural Development Business and Industry loan originations. This loan origination volume exceeded that of it's nearest Wisconsin bank competitor by more than 2.5 times.

Wisconsin Business Bank is one of the fastest growing banks in the state. Founded in 1999, the bank currently has assets exceeding $100 million. Russell Schuler serves as Chairman of the bank, while Kevin Tenpas is President. Both men are former Firstar Bank executives, and both are past SBA Wisconsin Financial Service Advocates of the Year, an honor awarded annually by the Small Business Administration.

Wisconsin Business Bank focuses on offering government guaranteed loans to businesses of less than 500 employees. "America's 24 million small businesses employ more than 52 percent of the private workforce and are responsible for the vast majority of new job creation," Tenpas stated. "Their credit needs are quite different from larger corporations, and demand special attention and expertise."

Government guaranteed loans can extend up to 30 years. "We believe long-term assets should be funded by long-term loans, Schuler stated. "This gives small businesses staying power, particularly during economic slowdowns such as we are currently experiencing."

Wisconsin Business Bank is located at 4706 S. Taylor Drive in Sheboygan. The bank also has offices in Green Bay and Eau Claire.