The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is pleased to announce Rose Petitte, director of business development, Horicon Bank, a 2025 Wisconsin Woman of Impact Award winner. The award was presented at WBA’s 19th Annual Women in Banking Conference.
“I am thrilled for Rose to have received this award in recognition of her years of dedication to her colleagues, the banking industry and their communities,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “Rose exemplifies the skills, knowledge, and character of what it means to be a woman of impact.”
Rose began her career with Horicon Bank in 2011 as branch manager and business banker in West Bend where the bank had $41M in deposits and 3.87% market share. Today, the bank has $132M in deposits and 10.34% market share thanks to Rose’s commitment to growing customer relationships. Rose has led the bank’s retail network (growing the total branch count from 14 to 21), helped launch an ITM network, and spearheaded customer adoption of e-statements (from a 42% adoption rate to 70%), among other valuable initiatives. Rose has 44 years of banking experience, is a Graduate School of Banking at University Wisconsin-Madison graduate and has served on the WBA’s Retail Banking Committee.
Horicon Bank staff share that Rose praises generously, listens actively, and cares deeply. Rose supports employees as people first as she advocates for the careers and personal development of staff.
"Rose is an absolute gem of a person who cares so much about her colleagues and customers,” said Fred C. Schwertfeger, Horicon Bank President. “She is very deserving of this award."
Rose is also deeply involved and dedicated to the West Bend community. She serves as president for the WB COLUMNS Scholarship Foundation (and has served this organization for 11 years); is a Board Member for The Threshold, Inc. in West Bend (and has served this organization for 14 years); is an active member of West Bend Noon Kiwanis for over 14 years (and has served as president of the organization); has previously served as a West Bend Chamber Ambassador; co-chaired the United Way Washington County Campaign; and volunteers for Junior Achievement.
The WBA Woman of Impact Award has been established to celebrate WBA members who have made significant contributions and positive impacts in their organizations, communities, and the banking industry.
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Founded in 1892, the Wisconsin Bankers Association is the state’s largest financial industry trade association, representing 180 commercial banks and savings institutions, their branches, and nearly 30,000 employees. The Association represents banks of all sizes in Wisconsin, and 96 percent of banks in the state are WBA members.