The Challenge
As leadership began evaluating the future of the organization, it became clear that the bank's technology environment would need to evolve alongside its growth goals.
Like many community financial institutions, Ergo Bank had relied on systems and processes that had served the organization well for years. However, as customer expectations changed and opportunities for expansion emerged, leadership recognized that maintaining the status quo would limit future growth.
The bank needed a technology partner who could help align infrastructure investments with long-term business objectives, improve operational efficiency, and create a foundation capable of supporting future expansion.
Rather than focusing on a single technology purchase, Ergo Bank sought a strategic approach that would position the organization for sustained growth while preserving the customer relationships that defined its community banking experience.
The Solution
StrataDefense worked alongside Ergo Bank leadership to understand where the organization was headed and what technology investments would be required to support that vision.
From the beginning, the relationship was built around shared thinking. Rather than approaching projects as isolated technology initiatives, StrataDefense and Ergo Bank focused on aligning technology decisions with the bank's long-term strategic goals.
"One of the main drivers in our decision to use StrataDefense for our modernization efforts is that they are as excited about moving into the future as Ergo Bank has been," said Kyle Witt, President & CEO of Ergo Bank. "StrataDefense does not take a cookie-cutter approach to addressing our needs and always has an eye on the future."
Together, the teams developed a modernization strategy focused on scalability, reliability, and customer experience. This included enhancements to the bank's network and server infrastructure, improvements designed to increase performance across the organization, and the planning necessary to support future growth initiatives.
One of the most significant outcomes of this strategy was the implementation of Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs). Long before many community banks were exploring similar approaches, Ergo Bank invested in a vision that would expand customer access while maintaining the personalized service experience the institution was known for.
To support this initiative, StrataDefense helped design and implement the infrastructure required to operate and scale the ITM network. The resulting technology foundation enabled the bank to extend service hours, support remote ITM operators, and create new opportunities to serve customers in communities beyond traditional branch locations.
By addressing future needs during current projects, Ergo Bank was able to build a technology environment designed not only for today's operations, but for the next phase of growth as well.
The Results
The investments made in technology infrastructure became a critical enabler of Ergo Bank's growth strategy.
What began as a modernization initiative evolved into a foundation that supported expansion, operational flexibility, and business continuity. Over time, Ergo Bank grew from an $80 million community bank operating in two communities to a $270 million institution serving nine communities across Wisconsin.
Today, the bank operates six branch locations and a network of nine ITMs, including six drive-up units and three standalone machines located in smaller communities. The ITM network allows the bank to extend service availability from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM while being operated by two or fewer team members.
The value of these investments became especially clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the infrastructure had already been modernized, Ergo Bank was able to continue serving customers through its ITM network while branch lobbies were closed. More than half of the bank's team members transitioned to remote work within days, allowing operations to continue with minimal disruption.
Customers responded positively to the bank's ability to provide convenient, reliable service during a period of uncertainty, reinforcing the importance of the investments that had been made years earlier.
Looking back, Kyle credits the partnership with helping position the bank for both growth and resilience. "We received high praise from customers that we could still provide the service they needed with a higher degree of safety during a time of uncertainty," said Witt. "We would not have been in this position without StrataDefense."
The result is a technology foundation that continues to support the bank's growth, customer experience initiatives, and long-term strategic vision.
