Numbers released on Tuesday by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation show Wisconsin banks had a strong fourth quarter in 2025, with numbers better than nearly all national averages.
Year-over-year lending remained steady, with volume increasing in commercial and industrial loans, as well as farm loans. Residential real estate loans felt a small increase in year-over-year volume, and volume increased by over 14% from the prior quarter, largely due to lower interest rates.
Deposits increased both year over year (4.17%) and quarter over quarter (1.60%). The Q4 net interest margin increased (3.51%) from the prior quarter (3.46%) and the prior year (3.22%).
“The fourth quarter FDIC numbers continue to highlight the resiliency of Wisconsin banks during evolving economic conditions,” Rose Oswald Poels, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association, said in a statement.
“Wisconsin banks remained well-positioned to help meet the needs of their customers and communities throughout last year. With our economy continuing to evolve and mid-term elections later this year, Wisconsin consumers and business owners can continue to rely on their banks as a steady source of trusted financial partnership and a safe place to deposit their money.”
