The Wisconsin Bankers Association has named National Bank of Commerce President and CEO Steve Burgess as its 2021 Banker of the Year.
Burgess has nearly 40 years of banking experience. He has served on the WBA board and chaired the WBA Government Relations Committee. During his nearly 10 years atNational Bank of Commerce, his institution has been in the top quartile for annual ROA and ROE for all but two years. He has led the bank’s asset growth from $400 million to $1.2 billion. He initiated a residential real estate origination development, including servicing, and converted software operating systems to new processing. He also instituted an enterprise risk management department and led a successful re-branding of the bank’s image.
Prior to his National Bank of Commerce tenure, he served as president and CEO of La Crosse, Wis.- based State Bank Financial for 11 years; president and CEO of M&I Central Bank and Trust in Marshfield, Wis., for seven years; and president and CEO of the First National Bank of Neillsville for 12 years.
“I would like to congratulate Steve on being selected as the 2021 Banker of the Year,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “Steve is known for creating a strong bank culture through respect for others, integrity, and professional excellence.”
Burgess was honored at WBA’s Bank Executives Conference Feb. 10 in Wisconsin Dells.
National Bank of Commerce, with headquarters in Superior, Wis., has 10 locations in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.