Four branch employees recently completed the work to become Certified IRA Specialist Professionals. Their new certification enables them to assist their colleagues and better serve customers who need help with retirement planning.

Kelly Kading

Bridget Anderson

Regency personal banker Bridget Anderson, Northland personal banker Kelly Kading, Pewaukee branch manager Anne Kagerah, and New Berlin branch manager Sara Swosinski had to finish several weeks of online learning, as well as offline work beforehand, and then pass a certification exam.

Sara Swosinski

Anne Kagerah

“We were actually nominated to increase our knowledge in the IRA area, so that we could share that knowledge with our peers in the branches dealing with IRAs,” Sara says. It’s especially helpful, she notes, because two pieces of important federal legislation — the SECURE Act of 2019 and the CARES Act of 2020 — mandated some changes to how IRAs are handled. “My customers have confidence in my recommendations because the information I have is so current.”

“It’s a complicated and changing subject, which makes continuing education a big benefit,” Kelly says. “It helps me with the ‘big picture’ plan for customers and makes my conversations broader and more confident.”

Anne adds that in the past, she has had to call the bank’s IRA department when working with IRA customers. But now that’s changed.

“Now I show confidence in asking my customers about their retirement plans and whether they’ve reviewed their plans with a professional advisor recently,” she says. “I match my clients’ knowledge in conversations and effectively communicate the importance of retirement planning with them.”

Kelly says he is better equipped to guide customers as they set short-term and long-term financial goals.

“If I’ve identified a gap in their goals, we can discuss different options to get back on track,” he says. That could include a referral to meet with investment consultant Roxanna Bruss, who became a Certified Financial Planner last year.

While the certification process was demanding, all four employees agree it was well worth the time and effort.

“Anytime I can gain any more knowledge in an area I work in, I tend to jump in with both feet — and if I can apply it to my daily activities, it is an added bonus,” Bridget says. “The IRA certification has helped me with conversations with my customers and with referrals to my business partners.”

“They all said they were nervous about passing the exam, but as I expected, they all did great and passed the first time, no problem,” VP training and development manager Milene Below says.

“I am so grateful they took on this task and excited they all completed the coursework and passed the certification. It is truly an accomplishment to celebrate,” VP branch sales Craig Witz says.

Sara adds: “I’m excited to get into discussions around retirement now!”