Waukesha State Bank

Waukesha State Bank offers small businesses across Southeastern Wisconsin a personalized, relationship-driven approach to banking. With seasoned bankers driven by an ongoing commitment to the local business community and backed by a full suite of banking tools, Waukesha State Bank helps small businesses foster growth and manage finances.

“Our relationship-based approach pairs each small business with a dedicated banker who genuinely cares about their long-term successes, not just their banking needs,” says Tony Laszew­ski, senior vice president and commercial banking manager. “While we lead with banking, over time the nature of the close relationship often evolves into serving as a sounding board, informal advisor and connector, linking our clients to professionals and resources that help them grow and solve real-world problems.”

From business checking and savings accounts to lending solutions like working capital lines of credit, equipment term loans, real estate construction and term, and even tax-exempt and tax credit financing, the bank supports clients at every stage of their business journey. Treasury management tools including ACH origination, sweep accounts and fraud protection services like Positive Pay, add additional convenience and peace of mind.

“At every stage, we believe it’s our responsibility to clearly explain our thinking to ensure that our recommendations and decisions are transparent, not opaque or confusing,” says Laszewski. “Good communication is key to building trust and helping entrepreneurs make informed choices.”

Every business client is paired with a dedicated banker who serves as a trusted advisor, offering tailored financial guidance, connections to local resources like SCORE Business Mentoring and the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative. They also make introductions to trusted professionals from other industries like CPAs or attorneys.

WSB is also one of Wisconsin’s most active Small Business Administration lenders and has held Preferred Lender Program status since 1999, enabling faster, in-house approvals. For smaller loans, the bank also participates in the Milwaukee Economic Development Corp.’s Capital Access Program, offering a streamlined path for businesses seeking creative yet practical funding.

One of Waukesha State Bank’s newest offerings is the Payroll + 401(k) product, an integrated solution that combines payroll processing with retirement plan management. This tool helps business owners streamline two essential functions: reducing costly errors, and attracting and retaining high-quality talent. The product also includes local, in-person mentoring from both payroll and retirement planning professionals – something national providers often lack.

“As larger institutions have shifted to more efficiency-driven service models which can seem compartmentalized and impersonal, it’s become harder for small-business owners to find someone who truly understands their business and the challenges they face,” says Laszewski. “That’s where we strive to stand apart.”