Johnson Bank Appoints New Managers

Johnson Bank, Racine, announced the following appointments in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sandy Spielmann as regional group president of Johnson Bank; Thomas Smith as chief administrative officer for Johnson Financial Group; and Chris Ott as chief client services officer.

In addition, the Milwaukee Business Journal reported that Richard Gorton, former board chairman of Gormac Products Inc. in Racine, has been appointed vice chairman of Racine-based Johnson Bank’s board of directors.

U.S. Bank Opens Tech College Branch

U.S. Bank has opened a full-service onsite bank at the Milwaukee Area Technical College student center at 7th and State streets. U.S. Bank will provide the banking function for the school’s multiuse identification card, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Legacy Bank Brings in New President

Jose Mantilla, 53, a former executive with M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank in Milwaukee and KeyBank in Cleveland, has been named president of Legacy Bank in Milwaukee. Founder Deloris Sims remains chairwoman and CEO, the Business Journal of Milwaukee reported.

Summit CU Takes Financial Hit

Summit Credit Union – the largest credit union in Wisconsin – posted a $3.4 million loss through the first half of 2009. Summit is choosing to pay its portion, $9.2 million, of a required payment to the CU deposit insurance fund all at once rather than spreading out the payments, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Short Sales Help Avoid Foreclosures

Homeowners who hope to avoid foreclosure are increasingly working with banks on short sales, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported.

North Shore Bank Earns Health Award

Brookfield-based North Shore Bank was named one of the “Healthiest Companies in America” by Interactive Health Solutions. The award recognizes 103 U.S. companies that have encouraged employees to take charge of their health, BrookfieldNow.com reported.

Wisconsin Foreclosures Still Rising

Foreclosure filings in Wisconsin jumped 87 percent in July, compared with the same month a year ago, according to foreclosure data tracker RealtyTrac Inc. Read more in the Business Journal of Milwaukee.

AMCORE to Sell Monroe, Argyle Branches

AMCORE Bank has sealed an agreement with First National Bank and Trust Company of Beloit, to sell two branches in the Wisconsin communities of Monroe and Argyle, according to Banking Business Review.

Wis. Home Prices Down Nearly 10%

Wisconsin’s median home price fell 9.9 percent in the second quarter, from $162,000 to $146,000, a figure the real estate industry said is skewed because of the large number of starter homes and less expensive houses purchased, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Catholic Insurers to Merge

Catholic Knights, a Catholic fraternal benefit organization based in Milwaukee, said it will merge with Shorewood fraternal benefit organization, Catholic Family Life Insurance, to create an entity with total assets exceeding $1.1 billion and approximately $4.8 billion of insurance in force, the Business Journal of Milwaukee reported.