Ideas

I have been blessed to be invited to have end-of-year conversations with members of the Council of Small Business Executives board of directors for more than a decade now.

The check may not be in the mail. Today's consumer uses an average of three different payment methods each month, from online to mobile to walk-in and yes, even the occasional check, according to the seventh annual Billing Household Survey from Fiserv. With today's abundance of options to pay and receive bills, consumers increasingly value choice – and choice leads to increased customer satisfaction.

BizTimes Media LLC today issued the last call for registrations to attend the annual Northern Trust Economic Trends Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

To combat a severe labor shortage that could sweep through Washington County within the next decade, the Washington County Economic Development Corporation (EDWC) has erected a new program that will package customized workforce solutions for individual businesses.

Dubuque, Iowa-based Heartland Financial USA Inc., parent company of Madison-based Wisconsin Bank & Trust, has completed its previously announced acquisition of Community Banc-Corp., parent company of Sheboygan-based Community Bank & Trust, for $52.8 million in stock. Heartland has merged Wisconsin Bank & Trust with Community Bank & Trust.

Chicago-based Northern Trust Corp. and Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp both reported fourth quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates.

BizTimes Media will host an interactive workshop designed to help business owners value their businesses and prepare them for sale.

Menomonee Falls-based Glenroy Inc. recently acquired Hartford-based PF Flexibles, formerly known as Pouch Converting Technologies Inc., from Hartford-based PolyFirst Packaging Inc.

Green Bay-based Associated Banc-Corp reported fourth quarter net income of $48.7 million, or 31 cents per share, up from $47.8 million, or 28 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Wisconsin's banking industry has turned a corner. In the wake of a years-long economic recession, banks are now well into recovery, and that is good for Wisconsin consumers. As a key driver of economic growth, Wisconsin's banking industry is uniquely positioned to keep the state moving forward and help businesses grow and families prosper.