Wisconsin banks started the new year strong with total assets up 8.69% year over year from March 31, 2025 to March 31, 2026. Banks continue to be a trusted place for consumers and businesses to invest their money as total deposits were up 7.57% for the same period (up 4.17% quarter over quarter). Strong deposit volume is critical for banks as they use those funds to make loans across their market areas. Despite concerns over ongoing inflation, year-over-year lending remained steady with volume increasing in commercial and industrial loans and farm loans. The Q1 net interest margin remained consistent (3.58%) with the prior quarter (3.51%) and increased from the prior year (3.33%). Wisconsin banks continue to be well capitalized with strong liquidity.
Notable indicators include:
- Commercial lending increased both quarter over quarter (7.23%) and year over year (10.73%) as commercial customers manage through ongoing economic uncertainty.
- Residential real estate loan volume decreased quarter over quarter (-10.42%) due to housing availability and fluctuating interest rates, yet increased year over year (5.46%).
- Farm lending increased quarter over quarter (19.68%) and year over year (12.39%) as farmers began preparing for new growing season needs.
- Assets in nonaccrual status saw an increase both quarter over quarter (20.08%) and year over year (30.84%) as borrowers work through economic pressures.
Statement on the release of first-quarter 2026 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) numbers from Rose Oswald Poels, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association:
“The first quarter 2026 FDIC numbers highlight the strength of Wisconsin banks to remain the steady source during times of ongoing economic uncertainty for some markets. Bankers will continue to keep a close eye on the global supply chain, geopolitical issues, as well as the Fed’s interest rate decisions going into the rest of the year. Wisconsin consumers and business owners can continue to rely on Wisconsin banks as a consistent source of trusted financial partnership and a safe place to deposit their money.”
FDIC-Reported Wisconsin Numbers (Dollar Figures in Thousands)
| 03/31/2026 | 12/31/2025 | QoQ Change | 03/31/2025 | YoY Change | |
| Net loans and leases | $125,790,224 | $119,490,245 | 5.27% | $115,784,161 | 8.64% |
| Total deposits | $139,554,168 | $133,963,964 | 4.17% | $129,733,193 | 7.57% |
| Commercial and industrial loans | $20,980,215 | $19,566,293 | 7.23% | $18,947,428 | 10.73% |
| Residential real estate loans | $34,589,925 | $38,612,530 | -10.42% | $32,798,394 | 5.46% |
| Farm loans | $5,018,472 | $4,193,382 | 19.68% | $4,465,311 | 12.39% |
| Total assets | $174,807,481 | $167,045,236 | 4.65% | $160,833,420 | 8.69% |
| Assets in nonaccrual status | $758,922 | $633,992 | 19.71% | $580,004 | 30.84% |
