BMO Harris Bank announced today that it has hired Ross Kohl to lead its Small Business Administration loan program efforts in Wisconsin, Arizona, St. Louis and Kansas.

In its annual industrial real estate market overview and forecast, Milwaukee-based The Dickman Company Inc. predicts that the region’s industrial real estate market will gain additional strength in 2013.

The U.S. economy shrank in the fourth quarter for the first time since 2009, hurt by the largest cut in defense spending in 40 years, fewer exports and sluggish growth in company stockpiles.

First Business Financial Services Inc. the Madison-based parent company of First Business Bank and First Business Bank -Milwaukee, reported strong fourth quarter and record full year earnings, reflecting successful execution on initiatives to grow loans and in-market deposits, invest in fee-generating capabilities and improve asset quality.

Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. announced that Jon Langenfeld has been promoted to head of global equities with overall responsibility for Baird’s equity research, sales and trading operations.

David Kane has been named the new president of Milwaukee-based Badger Mutual Insurance Company.

Greenville, Wis.-based School Specialty Inc. announced it has received written notification from the staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market, notifying the company that its common stock traded under the symbol SCHS will be suspended from trading on the Nasdaq.

Milwaukee-based ManpowerGroup reported fourth quarter net earnings of $53.3 million, or 68 cents per share, down from $63.6 million, or 78 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

That the state is an investor, equal to other investors, needs to be a fundamental principle in any venture capital bill going forward in Wisconsin.

Should a regional sales tax be used to help finance a new arena to replace the Bradley Center in Milwaukee?

Mary Elkins has been promoted to vice president information services-systems development at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation in Milwaukee. She...

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation will host a free Business Finance Seminar on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 6 to...