Kenosha County banks, and those across Wisconsin, stepped up last month to help 43,400 of the state’s small businesses obtain more than $8.3 billion in federal Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program funds.
Quick action by banks pushed Wisconsin to near the top in processing loan requests, according to Rose Oswald Poels, president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Bankers Association.
“We’re proud to say that Wisconsin was 14th in the country in terms of appropriations. The banks were proactive right away. There was only $349 billion available for the first round of the program, Poels said.
Financial institutions throughout Kenosha County and southeastern Wisconsin had to process applications that poured in quickly. They had two weeks to meet the April 16 deadline for the first phase of the program.
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The Paycheck Protection Program is one of several components of the multi-phased CARES Act that established stimulus payments for individuals and funds to help companies. Under PPP, recipients receive a loan that provides for their payroll cost and other financial obligations. At least 75% of the loan proceeds must be used for payroll costs, including sales, commissions and employee benefits.
The remainder is forgivable if the recipient meets strict guidelines. It can be used for lease obligations, mortgage, utilities, and several other types of expenses.
“Working long hours, we were in a race with other banks across the country to get into the system. We were trying to process all we could before the money ran out,” Poels said.
Meanwhile, local banks and federally chartered credit unions are continuing to work for a new set of applicants who hope to obtain a loan from the $310 billion pool that has been allocated for the second round of SBA disbursements.
Report favorable results
While financial institutions that service the southeastern region do not have specific statistics for clients in the Kenosha and Racine counties, they report favorable results.
“We started on April 3 with 60 employees — 20% of our workforce — processing applications, said Mark Meloy, CEO of First Business Bank.
Based in Madison, First Business maintains a presence regionally serving Kenosha County.
“As of April 22, the company had received over 600 applications from existing clients and had received conditional approval from the SBA in excess of $300 million and had disbursed approximately $280 million in funds,” Meloy said.
He attributes the fast processing to updated technology that allows business owners to apply online.
“A benefit like this goes far beyond the business,” Meloy said. “This helps them pay employees and that helps their families.”
Under the program, the SBA backs loans that financial institutions make to their clients.
Dedicated teams working on assistance
The Brookfield-based North Shore Bank has three brick-and-mortar branches in Kenosha and a branded banking office in the Festival Foods supermarket, 3207 80th St., along with five branches in Racine.
North Shore officials were unable to provide a breakdown of PPP disbursement, nor able to disclose how many small business customers it helped during the first phase of the program.
“We had a dedicated team of employees who worked late nights and early mornings to process the paperwork,” said Susan Doyle, a senior vice president of retail banking. ”We had hundreds of customers.
“We’re really excited about what we were able to do. ... We have been able to ensure some financial wellness.”
Flood of applications
The Johnson Financial Group is firmly entrenched in southeastern Wisconsin with the largest market share. It has branches in Lake Geneva, Kenosha and Racine.
It helped 450 businesses to obtain more than $150 in million in PPP funding.
A flood of applications poured into Johnson Bank. said Karla Krehbiel, president-Southeast Region.
She estimated that bank employees processed some 2,100 applications within a short time. Electronic requests from customers required an expansive team to handle them before the April 16 deadline.
“We knew we’d get a lot of applications,” she said. “Scott Kelly, our chief credit officer, put together a team. We had to go through each application. We worked day and night.
“We wanted to make sure our clients were doing OK.”
IN PHOTOS: Key Kenosha events that won't take place this year
Pops Band in rainy Civic Veterans Parade 2019

The Pops Band’s piccolo players, front from left, Liz Snyder, Vera Olguin and Gloria Garay, clap (and laugh) along to a polka during the rainy parade Sunday. You’ll hear plenty from those piccolos on Sousa marches during the Pops’ concert today at the band shell.
Pops Band in rainy Civic Veterans Parade 2019
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE

From left, Lindsay Las, David Houle Jr, 6, Tobias Houle 3, an David Houle Sr. watch the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade on Sunday, June 30, 2019.
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE

Anneliese Drew, 3, waves at fire trucks.
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE

Sami Pierce plays the piccolo while marching with the Band of the Black Watch during the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade in 2019.
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE

Paradegoers wait under umbrellas for floats during the June 30, 2019, Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade. The rain that dampened, but didn't cancel, the parade is a constant worry for Kris Kochman as she plans outdoor events for the city of Kenosha.
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE

Drum major Lukas Juliano leads the Band of the Black Watch during the rainy 2019 Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade. There’s no Band of the Black Watch this summer and, we’re hoping, no rain for the 2021 parade.
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE

Rep. Bryan Steil shakes hands during the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade on Sunday, June 30, 2019.
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE

Tilly Bajas leads the color guard as she marches with the CYO Emerald Knights during the rainy 2019 Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade. The CYO Band isn't taking part in this year's parade, which we're hoping will enjoy dry weather.
CIVIC VETERANS PARADE

Members of the Sheriff's Department march in the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade on Sunday, June 30, 2019.
AMC HOMECOMING CAR SHOW

A Gremlin makes its way through rows of AMC vehicles during the AMC Homecoming Car Show in Kennedy Park in July 2017.
AMC HOMECOMING CAR SHOW

Don Vuylsteke, of Ontario, Canada, looks at vintage AMC Hornet doors during the AMC Homecoming Car Show and Swap Meet in Kennedy Park on Saturday, July 29, 2017.
AMC HOMECOMING CAR SHOW

Tom Fenn, of Kenosha, who worked at the Kenosha AMC plants from 1975 to 1982, looks at a 1974 Gremlin during the AMC Homecoming Car Show in Kennedy Park in 2017. This year's giant car show is Saturday, July 30.
TASTE OF WISCONSIN

Grace Lampada, 10, right, grabs a sample of popcorn from Amelia Corona of Craine’s Kettle Corn at the Taste of Wisconsin in July 2019. With summer events beginning to be canceled around the state, many wonder what will become of local events.
TASTE OF WISCONSIN

Brittany Lumley, seen performing at the 2019 Taste of Wisconsin event in HarborPark, is playing Friday night as part of “Women’s Night” at Union Park Tavern.
TASTE OF WISCONSIN

Lurkin Breckel pours a sample of bourbon barrel aged maple syrup at the M&E's Trees tent at the Taste of Wisconsin event in HarborPark on Friday, July 26, 2019.
TASTE OF WISCONSIN

Paul and Beverly Cooper, of Memphis, check out the vendors at the Taste of Wisconsin event in HarborPark.
TASTE OF WISCONSIN

Erin McGowan posts the menu for Gypsy Soul at the Taste of Wisconsin event in HarborPark on Friday, July 26, 2019.
Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast and DairyAir Bike Ride

Ella Pocios and Jullian Duke hold ice cream cups as they pose for a photo taken by Janell Duke in front of a dairy sign.
Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast and DairyAir Bike Ride

The crowd lines up during the 2019 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast.
Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast and DairyAir Bike Ride

The crowd lines up during the 2019 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast.
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Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast and DairyAir Bike Ride

Pancakes are dropped on the grill as breakfast goers pick up beverages in the background.
Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast and DairyAir Bike Ride

Eric Wasurick watches a calf who seems more interested in having its photo taken.
Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast and DairyAir Bike Ride

Clay Sanders tries his hand at milking a model of a cow during 2019's Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast at The Mighty Grand Dairy in Paris. The model simulated milking a real cow.
Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast and DairyAir Bike Ride

Marie Giebel works on scooping eggs as they are removed from a giant griddle.
BORDER WARS BEER FESTIVAL

Tapping into a cold one
Emily Bridleman, of R’Noggin Brewing Co., pours a beer during the Border War Beer Fest, which took place at Pennoyer Park last Saturday.
BORDER WAR BEER FEST

Border War Beer Fest, a craft beer fest that featured Wisconsin and Illinois brewers at Celebration Point on Saturday, August 4, 2018.
BORDER WAR BEER FEST

A person rinses their beer glass in the fountain during the Border War Beer Fest, a craft beer fest that featured Wisconsin and Illinois brewers at Celebration Point on Saturday, August 4, 2018.
BORDER WAR BEER FEST

Paul Vandenplas tries his hand at removing blocks during the Border War Beer Fest, a craft beer fest that featured Wisconsin and Illinois brewers at Celebration Point on Saturday, August 4, 2018.
BORDER WAR BEER FEST

Jennifer Zabel serves Ale Asylum’s beers during the Border War Beer Fest, a craft beer fest that featured Wisconsin and Illinois brewers at Celebration Point on Saturday, August 4, 2018.
BORDER WAR BEER FEST

Jennifer Zabel serves Rick Lambert some of Ale Asylum’s beer during the Border War Beer Fest.
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES WOMEN'S PRO RACE

Female professional cyclists are reflected in a rain puddle as they race during the Food, Folks & Spokes in Library Park on Thursday, June 20, 2019. The race winner is in the center of the photo, next to the church steeple.
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES MEN'S PRO RACE

Germany’s Moritz Malcharek, second from left, eats as the first four-rider breakaway works to lap the field during the Pro 1/2 Men’s race Thursday at Food, Folks & Spokes.
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES MEN'S PRO RACE

Winner Moritz Malcharek , fourth from left, is part of a nine-rider breakaway that lapped the field in Men’s 1/2 Pro Race at Food, Folks & Spokes in 2019.
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES MEN'S PRO RACE

Winner Moritz Malcharek throws his bike across the finish line.
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES WOMEN'S PRO RACE

Australia’s Peta Mullens holds the lead en route to winning the Women's Pro 1/2 Women’s race Thursday at Food, Folks & Spokes.
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES FEATURES

Elizabeth Gonzalez of Niagara Bottling helps a youngster fill out a raffle entry for a free bike at the company’s display at Food, Folks & Spokes in Library Park on Thursday.
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES FEATURES
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES FEATURES

Dottie-Kay Bowersox, left, cheers bike racers along with friends Jim Springer, Mark Schmitz, Ken Stanke and MIke Maxcy during Food, Folks & Spokes in Library Park on Thursday.
FOLKS SPOKES FEATURES
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES WOMEN'S PRO RACE

Riders compete in the Women's Pro 1/2 race Thursday at Food, Folks & Spokes.
FOOD FOLKS SPOKES FEATURES

Brandon Jensen, right, reacts to a magician pulling money out of a lemon with his grandparents Dean, left, and Marilyn Jensen during a performance at Food, Folks & Spokes in Library Park on Thursday.
jousting at the Bristol Renaissance Faire

Last call for jousting at the 2022 Bristol Renaissance Faire!
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Garrett Mansor at the Bristol Renaissance Faire
jousting 3.jpg

Garrett Mansor at the Bristol Renaissance Faire
jousting 4.jpg

Colton Mansor battles at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
jousting 5.jpg

Colton Mansor, second from left, and his brother Garrett, far right, take part in the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Adam Crack performs his whip show.
BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Philip Earl Johnson has performed for more than 30 years as MooNiE the Magnif’Cent at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Children play with large bubbles made by Nikolai Popper, played by Nick Stahl.
SOMERS PARADE

The Somers Parade on the Fourth of July.
SOMERS PARADE

Reaching for candy is a popular activity at the Somers 4th of July Parade. This year’s parade is 2 p.m. Sunday.
SOMERS PARADE

Andrew Heusterberg, in eighth grade, plays with the Shoreland band during the Somers Parade on the Fourth of July.
SOMERS PARADE
SOMERS FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

Frank Becker painted a large flag on his lawn for the Fourth of July parade in the village of Somers on Wednesday. Becker said, “This has to be one of the nicest parades I’ve been to. The Somers parade is an awesome parade.”
Village and Town of Somers 4th of July parade on Wednesday.
SOMERS FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
SOMERS FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

Wrigley parks it on Dustin Richards’ lap during the 4th of July parade in Village and Town of Somers on Wednesday. Richards was there to watch his step-brother march in the CYO band.
SOMERS FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

Kyle Conforti reaches out for some candy thrown from passing parade vehicles. Village and Town of Somers 4th of July parade on Wednesday.
COUNTY FAIR GRAND STEER AUCTION

Joseph Ellerbrock, Paris Happy Workers 4H, shows Leonard, his grand champion steer that weighs in a 1360 pounds, during the live animal auction at the 2019 Kenosha County Fair.
COUNTY FAIR GRAND STEER AUCTION

Joseph Ellerbrock, Paris Happy Workers 4H, shows Leonard, his grand champion steer that weighs in a 1360 pounds, during the live animal auction at the Kenosha County Fair on Saturday. Leonard was purchased by Miles Truck Service for $5.50 a pound.
COUNTY FAIR GRAND STEER AUCTION

Jason Hammock uses a rake handle to unfurl the flag, which was hung up in a roof joist, before the national anthem at the start of the live animal auction at the Kenosha County Fair in 2019.
COUNTY FAIR GRAND STEER AUCTION
KENOSHA COUNTY FAIR

Shannon Diedrich tosses a bale more than 11 feet to win the female 16-20 category at the Kenosha County Fair on Friday.
KENOSHA COUNTY FAIR

Paul Halliday tosses a hay bale during the 2019 Kenosha County Fair. The hay bale toss is a popular event at the fair.
Lil' Ed and The Blues Imperials

Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials are back at Peanut Butter & Jam on July 7.
Pops concert

Yes, the weather was as pretty as it gets Wednesday evening and a large audience turned out for “Pops Caliente!” performed by the Kenosha Pops Concert Band.
at the Sesquicentennial Band Shell in Pennoyer Park Wednesday night.
Pops concert
Pops concert

Getting festive
Craig Gall dons festive accessories as he conducts the Kenosha Pops Concert Band’s “Pops Caliente!” program before a large audience on a beautiful summer evening at the Sesquicentennial Band Shell in Pennoyer Park Wednesday night.
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A crowd gathers at the band shell in Pennoyer Park for the Kenosha Pops Concert Band’s June 26 program. The band is back on the band shell tonight for “Halloween in July.”
OKTOBERFEST

Milo Hodges, 6, follows his dachshund, Roxy Rubble, as she races during the 2019 Oktoberfest in Paddock Lake.
OKTOBERFEST

Leah Dinchak, 6, cheers for the racing dachshunds with her uncle, Justin Klein.
OKTOBERFEST

Mason Sjoerdsma, 3, left, and his sister, Raelynn, 1, reach for pretzels held by their mom, Bri, during Oktoberfest in Paddock Lake on Sept. 14, 2019.
OKTOBERFEST

Cindy and Stephan Regenfuss, members of the D’Oberlandlers dancers, wear traditional Bavarian clothing as they arrive at the Oktoberfest at Old Settlers Park in Paddock Lake on Saturday, September 8, 2018.
OKTOBERFEST

Chewbacca, owned by Steven, left, and Jaclyn Pacheco, right, was the big winner at the Dachshund Dash at Oktoberfest at Old Settlers Park in Paddock Lake on Saturday.
OKTOBERFEST

Becky Masik, left, holds Noel and Jeremy Kosmin, right, holds Liam. Dachshund Dash at Oktoberfest at Old Settlers Park in Paddock Lake on Saturday, September 8, 2018.
OKTOBERFEST

Victor Banish, left, laughs as his dachshund Massimo, a fifteen-year old male, decides to look back at him instead of running the race at the start of the second heat of the Dachshund Dash at Oktoberfest at Old Settlers Park in Paddock Lake on Saturday, September 8, 2018.
COUNTRY THUNDER

Preston Brust, of Locash, sings from the catwalk at Country Thunder Friday.
COUNTRY THUNDER

Chris Lucas, left, and Preston Brust perform with LOCASH at Country Thunder.
COUNTRY THUNDER

Beckham Rogosiensky, 6, pumps out pull-ups as Staff Sgt. Shane Meyers, left, spots him at the Army booth at Country Thunder on Friday.
COUNTRY THUNDER

Meri Engel dances as Lonestar plays on the main stage at Country Thunder in 2019.