- Category: Notable Commercial Banking Leaders
- Number of years working in your current industry: 37
- Undergrad degree/university: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – Bachelor of Science Finance
- Graduate degree/university: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – Master of Business Administration (MBA). University of Wisconsin-Madison – Graduate School of Banking
As a business banking executive and senior vice president for First Midwest Bank, Jerry Schlitz has led a team of 10 commercial bankers through two mergers and a global pandemic over the past two years.
During the pandemic, his team facilitated more than 640 PPP loans representing more than $235 million to local small businesses.
Through Schlitz’s leadership, his team has seen strong client retention while also driving loan growth, colleagues said.
“Jerry is a highly respected and effective leader who focuses on helping customers and supporting his team. His dedication and time commitment to achieve positive results with customers and employees is tremendous. I have enjoyed working closely with Jerry over the last 18 years and he is truly what you want in a commercial banking leader,” said Troy Bartoshevich, senior vice president – private banking executive at First Midwest.
Schlitz is also on the executive board of the Three Harbors Council of the Boy Scouts of America and is a board member of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee.