MADISON, WI – June 21, 2021 – First Business Bank is proud to announce the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) recently recognized First Business Bank founder, Jerry Smith, for his contributions to banking in Wisconsin as a “Leader in Banking Excellence.”
In a ceremony honoring its inaugural class of inductees to its Leaders of Banking Excellence Wall, WBA paid tribute to 12 contributors for their excellence in banking, civic involvement, and community service.
“Jerry has helped shape Wisconsin’s banking industry into what it is today,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “He exemplifies the values of our association: highest ethics, professionalism, and enthusiastic service to our industry and to our state. It is my privilege to host an honor wall of this type at our WBA headquarters in Madison.”
After working for a few banks and starting his own consulting firm, Smith created First Business Bank in 1990. As the first business-focused bank in the Midwest, First Business Bank expanded to employ more than 300 professionals, providing refined solutions to drive growth for companies and high-net-worth individuals. Jerry was a founder and served as director of First Business Financial Services, Inc., from December 1989 to June 2006 and chair of the Board from July 2006 until his retirement in 2018. His tenure included serving as CEO from Dec. 1989–Dec. 2006. He has served on the boards of several community organizations including the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau, Madison Community Foundation, and Aldo Leopold Foundation.
About First Business Bank
First Business Bank specializes in business banking, including Commercial Banking and Specialty Finance, Private Wealth, and Bank Consulting services, and through its refined focus delivers unmatched expertise, accessibility, and responsiveness. Specialty Finance solutions are delivered through First Business Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary First Business Specialty Finance, LLC. First Business Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Business Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIZ). For additional information, visit firstbusiness.bank.