JULY| AUGUST|2023
By Hannah Flanders In June, Donna Hoppenjan began her yearlong term as chair of the Wisconsin Bankers Association’s (WBA) Board of Directors. As the second woman to serve as WBA’s chair — and one of only 18 women currently holding the position of president or CEO at a Wisconsin bank — Hoppenjan looks forward to shaping the future of the industry. Growing up on a century-old dairy farm in southwestern Wisconsin, the value of hard work and commitment were
WISCONSIN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
New WBA Chair: Donna Hoppenjan
Mound City Bank president and CEO addresses this year’s priorities instilled in Hoppenjan at a young age. In 1977, she began working as a teller at Platteville’s Mound City Bank. Hoppenjan graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin –Madison and served for six years on the Graduate
president and chief executive officer. After 46 years at the bank, Hoppenjan looks back fondly on her mentors who encouraged her to give back. “Early in life, I saw how involved my parents were in local organizations and non-profits,” states School of Banking Hoppenjan. “They, Advisory Board. Throughout the years, alongside my peers, Hoppenjan has served in inspired me to not only various roles throughout pursue a career I was the bank including audit, passionate about, but to consider how I am able compliance, human to serve my community.” resources, trust, and Today, Hoppenjan is operations. In 2013, actively involved she was named as the
FOUNDED 1892
Be an inspiration. By standing united, being engaged, and staying educated, we can ensure the continued success of the banking industry, the Association, and Wisconsin communities. in many areas of her community. From serving on the boards of Southwest Health and her local church, to working on the Ambassador Committee of the (continued on p. 8)
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Banking Banks in Wisconsin explore the use of AI
in our daily lives, even without recognizing it. As the capabilities of AI multiply and the number of individuals utilizing this unique technology expands, professionals in many sectors of the U.S. economy — including the financial services — are considering the ways in which AI impacts their business and the surrounding communities.
By Hannah Flanders Just five years ago, the idea that AI, or artificial intelligence, could be integrated into nearly every aspect of the human experience seemed like a topic However, the further we for future generations. wade into the 2020s, the
more each of us comes to encounter aspects of AI
» What is AI?
Despite what many think, AI is not a new phenomenon. Shortly after the creation of the first digital computer, scientists in the 1950s birthed the concept of AI as they explored the possibility of creating an artificial brain. Today, AI has molded into the creation of technology that has the potential to add efficiencies to our daily lives.
In its current state, AI is a computer system with the capability to sense, think, learn, and take action. Throughout the day, we may encounter AI technology by way of recommendations on our favorite streaming platforms, the anti-virus software that scans our emails for spam, or timed traffic signals. However, the Pew Research Center recently found in its study “Public Awareness of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Activities” that only around 50% of individuals believed that they interacted with some form of AI more than twice a week. As technology continues to become more widely available, the development of AI (continued on p. 22)
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