News

At Community First Bank (CFB), we believe that financial education is more than a service—it’s a responsibility. That’s why we’re thrilled to share some exciting news: CFB has been recognized by the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) with the 2025 Excellence in Financial Education Award in the Bank-wide category!

This award celebrates our ongoing commitment to helping individuals and families make informed financial decisions. From budgeting basics to understanding credit, our goal is to empower our communities with the knowledge they need to succeed.

“Financial education is at the heart of what we do,” said Dan Klahn, President & CEO of Community First Bank. “Our team works tirelessly to provide resources and guidance that help people build confidence in managing their finances. This recognition from WBF is a testament to their dedication.”

What Makes This Award Special?

The Excellence in Financial Education Awards are presented annually by WBF to banks and individual bankers who go above and beyond to improve financial literacy. To earn the Bank-wide Award, CFB demonstrated a comprehensive approach to financial education throughout the year—something we’re incredibly proud of.

Celebrating Our Team

In addition to the Bank-wide honor, several of our team members received individual recognition for their outstanding efforts between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025:

• Ann Cooley – Certificate of Excellence

• Kim Rabska – Certificate of Recognition

• Sam Klein – Certificate of Recognition

• Deb Ihm – Certificate of Recognition

• Deanna Hinderman – Certificate of Recognition

• Kim Schmelz – Certificate of Recognition

• Shari Zenz – Certificate of Recognition

The Certificate of Excellence is awarded to bankers who deliver 20 or more financial education presentations in a year, while the Certificate of Recognition honors those who present between five and 19 sessions.

“We are incredibly proud of our team members who go above and beyond to share their knowledge and help others achieve financial success,” Klahn added. “Their efforts make a real difference in the lives of people across southwest Wisconsin.”

Looking Ahead

This year’s awards were presented at WBA’s annual FLEX Retail & Marketing Summit in November. We were honored to be part of this celebration and look forward to continuing our mission of financial education in the years to come.

Want to learn more about our financial education initiatives? Visit https://CFBank.com for financial resources and tips.