MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is pleased to announce the 2022 Banker of the Year award winner: Gregory J. Lundberg,president and CEO of Fortifi Bank, headquartered in Berlin, Wis.
Lundberg has over 30 years of banking experience, and Fortifi Bank, formerly 1st National, has been in business for more than 140 years. The bank has a mission of “Growin’ Wisconsin” — one person, one business, and one relationship at a time.
“It is a joy to recognize Greg as the 2022 Banker of the Year,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “In addition to his values-driven leadership of Fortifi Bank, he extends his service to his community and to the banking industry.”
Lundberg has given over 200 hours of community service in the last 12 months. He eagerly shows up for many community events and takes part in community discussions and initiatives. He prides himself on being a “working board member” and is deeply committed to the success of The Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area and Green Lake’s Town Square Community Center, for which he serves as a board member and is active on additional subcommittees, including finance, facilities management, and business development.
Lundberg joined Fortifi Bank in 2010 after having gained experience at Citizens Bank, Johnson Bank, and Associated Bank. He currently serves on the WBA Board of Directors and has been an active member of WBA through the Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT) Section and the Advocacy Officer Program. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and his MBA degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Since assuming the role of president and CEO of Fortifi Bank in 2019, Lundberg has had a tremendous impact on the overall financial performance of the bank and has led multiple efforts to improve efficiency and, ultimately, profitability. Lundberg was instrumental in raising $10 million of additional capital for the bank in late 2021, which has propelled the balance sheet growth experienced at Fortifi Bank over the last 18–24 months. The bank’s total assets increased from $509 million at the end of 2020 to $607 million as of November 30, 2022.
The Wisconsin Bankers Association’s Banker of the Year award is presented to one Wisconsin banker each year. The recipient must be a Wisconsin bank CEO or president who has demonstrated outstanding service to their bank, to the continued vitality of their community, and to the banking profession. The Banker of the Year award began in 1986, and Lundberg is the 37th banker honored with this distinction. Lundberg was honored at WBA’s Bank Executives Conference in Wisconsin Dells, the largest banking event in Wisconsin, on February 9, 2023.
