Keeping It Local

Join host Richie Burke in this episode of the Keeping It Local podcast, powered by First Federal Bank, as industry experts Edward Schaefer, President & CEO at First Federal, Kirk Hovde, Managing Principal & Head of Investment Banking at Hovde Group, and John Reichert, Attorney at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, delve into the ever-changing landscape of community banking.

Explore the challenges posed by regulatory changes, risin...

In this episode of the "Keeping It Local" podcast, powered by First Federal Bank, join host Richie Burke as he delves into the world of affordable banking and financial empowerment with special guests Constance Alberts, Director of Bank On Greater Milwaukee, Rick Beutler, VP of Consumer Banking at First Federal, and Anna Fragoso, Branch Manager at First Federal Bank.

Discover how Bank On and First Federal are creating stro...

Welcome to the Keeping It Local podcast, powered by First Federal Bank. In this episode, host Richie Burke explores the challenges and opportunities of buying and selling a business with Brian McManus, Chief Banking Officer at First Federal Bank, and two business owners, Kevin Seiberlich and Buddy Robinson, who recently acquired the manufacturer Fabricated Metal Products.

Kevin and Buddy discuss their journey of searching for the ri...

The Latino business community is one of the fastest-growing communities, but are they given equal opportunity? In this episode, we discuss what First Federal Bank, the Latino Chamber of Commerce, and the Latino Entrepreneurial Network are doing to ensure this community receives the same opportunities as other organizations.

Nelson Soler, CEO of the Latino Chamber of Commerce and Founder of the Latino Entrepreneurial Networ...

To say the pandemic impacted the economic environment is an understatement. As a result, the rise of interest rates is more prevalent than ever. Learn about the available resources and options to equip yourself best and prepare for the future.

In today’s episode, host Richie Burke sits down with Steve Wierschem, Chief Financial Officer at First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, and Marc Gall, Vice President, and Asset/Liability Strategist ...

Christine Specht, CEO of Cousins Subs, has worked at Cousins Subs for over 21 years and has learned a thing or two about managing a business along the way. In today’s episode, Christine shares some insight about managing a successful business: maintaining a strong company culture and developing a solid brand strategy.

Cousins Subs has been in the business of making great sandwiches for 50 years; however, running a successful busines...

When is it appropriate to become financially literate? A fair argument would be "before you make a detrimental financial mistake" though there is logic behind this, it isn't always realistic. Kids are taking, on average, 12 years of schooling before they're put out into the world to make their own financial decisions, and yet, teaching financial responsibility isn't standard in today's curriculum; beca...

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world in many unexpected ways, and the banking world is no exception. Things have become increasingly digital, and banking has joined the list of tasks that are now done from home — meaning customers need fast, easy, and positive online experiences.

People are used to great apps that fit their ever-changing needs. So how does the banking world keep up? We’re glad you asked. Today, we’re joined b...

Although women have made great strides in the workplace, they’re still often under-represented — especially women of color. Women only hold 20% of board seats, make up 8% of Fortune 500 CEOs, receive 3% of all venture capital funding, and are 2 times more at-risk when it comes to job loss.

Yes, those are staggering statistics — but it’s not all bad, and things are trending up. There are now two times the amount of women en...

For most business owners, their business has become a part of them. It’s something they’ve worked tirelessly on for many years, and they’re often deeply entwined in the essential day-to-day operations. That can make it tough to part ways and keep things running smoothly when the time to sell finally comes around.

On today’s episode, we’ll be talking about how to ensure  a seamless transition to retirement or your next venture.

So, ho...

When you look back at Milwaukee’s storied past, it’s hard to find a neighborhood more culturally rich than Mitchell Street. Once called “The downtown of Milwaukee’s South Side”, this area was predominantly inhabited by Polish immigrants, changing over the years to welcome a diverse Latino population as well. The Mitchell Street story is uplifting, and a true testament to how a community can evolve with and stay true to both its res...

Financial planning can be a daunting task. It’s like going to the dentist — you may be scared to take initiative, but you know that if you can just muster up the courage to start, you’ll be much better off.

This week’s episode is focused on our college-aged audience. It’s about starting early and making the most of what you’ve got to make a big impact on your finances. We’ll discuss opening your first accounts, building cr...

When you’re in business, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers. We live in an age where everything can be tracked, analyzed, and broken down, and communication — especially in the age of COVID — is now more digital than ever. Handshakes and friendly in-person meetings have fallen by the wayside, only to be replaced with email subject lines and Zoom calls.

Often, it’s easy to forget that there’s a person on the other si...

Our military veterans give us so much, selflessly volunteering their precious time, energy, and strength to serve our country. Yet, when they return home from service, they’re often left feeling underappreciated and have to face difficult hardships. Reassimilating into normal life can be tough — whether it’s finding a fulfilling career, coping with PTSD, or just readjusting their state of mind, veterans and their families often fee...

If you’re like most people, you rely on the internet for just about everything. Banking, streaming music, staying connected with friends and family, and so much more. And, if you’re like most people, you assume your data is fairly safe on the web — but is it?

With the recent boom in internet usage, we’re here to make sure you (and your data) stay safe. We’ve asked experts Mike Venaccio (VP Bank Technology Solutions, UFS), ...

If we had a nickel for every time someone asked us how to build a new home, we could probably afford to build it for them! On this episode, we’ll be talking about all things house construction, giving you tips and tricks for the whole process, start to finish. 

To help us cross the t’s and dot the i’s, Richie is joined by David Belman, the President of Belman Homes, and Brian McManus, the Senior Vice President of Lending h...

You might not realize it, but banks are connected to your local community in more ways than you’d expect. People rely on banks to help them with big milestones: buying their first car, financing a home, and opening a business, to name a few. 

When it’s time to get the ball rolling, the financial institution they choose matters not just for them, but for their neighbors, too. Organizations like credit unions and online national banks...

Hello, and welcome to Keeping It Local. On this introductory episode, you'll meet your host, Richie Burke, as he guides you through a preview of our first few episodes.


On Keeping It Local, or goal is to reach outside of the products and services we typically provide at First Federal Bank of Wisconsin to connect you with local businesses, nonprofits, and community members. You'll learn about the impact they&...