Banking on a bright future in Fredonia

Employees and customers at Port Washington State Bank’s Fredonia branch, who for nine months were conducting business in a modified trailer, are today enjoying the bank’s newly renovated facility.

The renovation not only gives the bank a more modern facility, it also positions it for expansion in the future, Bank President James Schowalter said.

“We redid 90% of the building and doubled the size of the building,” Schowalter said, noting the branch now has 4,350 square feet.

The facade was completely redone and the drive-through lanes expanded.

“The large trucks people have today didn’t fit in our ATM and drive-through lanes (before),” Schowalter said.

The bathrooms and conference room were moved from the basement to the first floor, and the waiting area was expanded and a fireplace added, giving it a cozy feel. A customer refreshment area was added, as was a children’s area that gives youngsters something to do while their parents are conducting business.

Schowalter said he is particularly happy that the bank was able to personalize the building with historic touches, such as a mural of the community that includes images of families and the community through the years.

“That’s pretty unique,” he said. 

Like many businesses, Port State Bank incorporates the same color palette in its buildings, Schowalter said, “but tailoring each building to the community is important. So often in the corporate world, there’s a generic feeling to these facilities. But people enjoy that connection, and it’s good business to take care of people and have a nice atmosphere that’s unique.”

The renovated building also incorporates more offices, giving the bank room to grow, something that’s important, Schowalter said, noting the bank plans to increase its northern Ozaukee County staff beginning next year.

While the Fredonia branch is located in a community of about 2,300 people, it is an active bank, Schowalter said. The branch conducts about 10,000 transactions a month, which he said reflects “a very healthy retail bank.” It has 4,828 depository accounts and about $110 million in assets are managed by the branch.

“People have asked us, why such a big investment in Fredonia. It’s because our customer base deserves it,” Schowalter said.

The branch draws customers from a large area, including the Town of Saukville, Newburg, Kewaskum, Random Lake, Waldo, Adell and beyond, he said, noting it’s easy for customers traveling to work or shopping to easily get off Highway 57, conduct their business and continue on their way.

And, he said, the area — and the bank — are poised to grow as more development comes to northern Ozaukee County, Schowalter said.

“We’re starting to see expansion in the area,” he said, noting there are numerous subdivisions planned in northern Ozaukee County as well as the Northern Gateway Community Collective in Saukville, which includes housing for 620 people, a variety of entertainment and business venues and public amenities.

The expansion of I-43 continues to make northern Ozaukee County an attractive place for families, who have an easier commute to areas such as Milwaukee and Sheboygan.

“We’re seeing more organic growth,” Schowalter said. “We believe Fredonia is going to be a great place for families to be investing and living in for the long haul.”

Port State Bank has been in Fredonia since 1994, when it purchased the bank building from M&I Bank.

“It was an opportunity for us to expand,” Schowalter said, adding, “There’s always been a bank on that corner for the past 56 years.”

While many banks are closing in small towns, Port State Bank has built its business in those communities, Schowalter said.

“We love small towns,” he said, noting Port State is the only bank with a presence in Fredonia.  

Schowalter noted that in the last 16 years, the bank has been concentrating on its physical footprint, renovating dated buildings and enhancing its presence in communities.

“You will see us doing more projects in the coming years,” he said. “Our goal is to be a part of the community. A beautiful building is part of that. So is exemplary service and having the services the community wants and giving back.”

One example of that in Fredonia, Schowalter said, is the bank’s sponsorship of the new splash pad being constructed in Marie Kraus Park.

The Fredonia branch held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its renovation on June 24. 

“Our employees are super happy to be back in a building, and our customers have been very complimentary,” Schowalter said, noting that the trailer used in the interim “was a very nice trailer — other than the really cold days it worked well — but it wasn’t always easy for our customers or our employees.”