GUARANTEES PAYMENT TO SELLERS
Also known by the abbreviation SBLC, this type of business financing provides a guarantee to any company you need to purchase goods from. Standby credit letters are particularly useful for international trade.
How Standby Letters of Credit Work
Businesses typically seek SBLCs in order to close on a contract with another business. In providing an SBLC, your lender guarantees payment in the event that your business defaults.
There are two types of Standby Letters of Credit:
Financial SBLOC: Guarantees payment for goods or services.
Performance SBLOC: Less common; guarantees completion of a project.
Learn more about Standby Letters of Credit from Horicon Bank!
Founded on invention and built on community support, Horicon Bank continues to innovate the way we do banking. And our commitment to the community has only grown stronger. With better banking options for our customers’ lives and a strong tie to our community roots, Horicon Bank is your digital community bank! To apply for a standby letter of credit, contact our team of business lenders or visit your nearest location in Appleton, Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Horicon, Iron Ridge, Markesan, Mayville, Neosho, Oshkosh, Randolph, Ripon, Waupun, or West Bend, WI.
Meet Your Business Bankers
Meet Matt Berg
Business Banker, Assistant Vice President
In his role as a Business Banker, Matt assists clients with a variety of services and products to achieve their goals and make their lives more secure. He takes pride in caring for the needs of his customers and says “there is nothing better than helping individuals, businesses and your community grow and succeed.” Matt earned his Finance degree at the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse and previously worked in commercial underwriting.
Contact
Some Fun Info About Matt
Experience
Matt has 2 years of experience in the banking industry. He started with Horicon Bank in 2019.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Matt serves on the Finance Committee for the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce. When he’s not helping local business owners grow their business, Matt is cheering for all things Wisconsin. He describes himself as a “Wisconsin sports fanatic” and enjoys watching the Packers, Badgers, Brewers and Bucks.
Meet Helcia U. Bierman
Mortgage Loan Originator, Vice President
NMLS ID: 473949Apply for a Mortgage with Helcia U. Bierman
Helcia works directly with customers on financing their home purchases, investment properties and small businesses. She is passionate about her community and has had the privilege to build many long-term relationships with customers in her community. She says it’s exciting to work together with second- and third-generation customers to help fulfill both their personal and business needs. Helcia’s education started with the University of Wisconsin, after which she further pursued classes in finance, mortgage, real estate and economic development education.
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Some Fun Info About Helcia
Experience
Helcia has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been with Horicon Bank since 2014.
Expertise
Mortgage Lending | Investment Property Lending | Small Business Lending
Extracurriculars
Helcia is a member of the Thrasher Opera House Board of Directors and actively volunteers for the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation and Green Lake community. Helcia enjoys boating on Green Lake, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.
Meet Jon Clark
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
Jon works with commercial, small business, and agricultural customers to develop and grow their businesses. He builds relationships with his customers by introducing helpful products and providing assistance with those products to help businesses succeed. He enjoys seeing the pride customers take in their businesses. As a commercial lender, Jon takes a similar pride in the role Horicon Bank plays, impacting communities through business development. Jon attended Marian University in Fond du Lac. He has experience in both agricultural and commercial lending and previously served as a Chief Credit Officer before joining Horicon Bank.
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Some Fun Info About Jon
Experience
Jon has more than 19 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2019.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Agricultural Lending | Commercial and Residential Investment Properties
Extracurriculars
Jon is a volunteer with Celebrate Waupun, the Alto Fair, and Green Lake County Meal Sight. He serves as Treasurer of the Waupun Festivals Board and is a board member for Markesan District Schools. Jon enjoys the outdoors and spends time each fall in South Dakota. One of his favorite pastimes is watching his children participate in extracurricular activities for school.
Meet Michele Conrad
Business Banker, Assistant Vice President
As a Business Banker, Michele develops strong business relationships with customers. She works with each customer to understand their needs and determine the best financial decision(s) to fit their situation and reasonable steps to achieve them. She enjoys working closely with her customers to determine the best fit for her customers. She likes being a community banker that can give them her personalized care every time. She is an accountant by trade which benefits her customers when analyzing their financial needs.
Contact
Some Fun Info About Michele
Experience
Michele has more than 7 years of experience in the banking industry.
Expertise
Business Loans | Commercial and Industrial Loans | SBA 504 Loans
Extracurriculars
Michele enjoys participating in any volunteer opportunities she can. She was on the Board of Directors for the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry where she was their IT Administrator. She also enjoys volunteering at Mel's Charities events.
Meet Tim Dillie
Business Banker, Vice President
Tim enjoys helping businesses achieve optimal success and growth by providing superior customer service. Tim says he enjoys the relationships he forms with customers and that “no matter the type of business, I want to do whatever I can to help them succeed using a variety of products and services.” Tim grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and has worked in the agricultural sector his entire career in a variety of capacities. He understands all aspects of agriculture and specializes in agricultural lending with Horicon Bank.
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Some Fun Info About Tim
Experience
Tim has more than 12 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2019.
Expertise
Business Loans | Agricultural Lending | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Tim is actively involved in local youth sports. He has been the assistant varsity football coach at Markesan High School for 16 seasons and coaches Markesan youth baseball in the summer. Tim also volunteers for the Green Lake County Meals on Wheels program.
Meet Mike Fleischman
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
In the simplest terms, Mike says, “I am a community banker. During the pandemic, I would read how community bankers have ‘stepped up’ to help when needed, but the truth is, I didn’t step up. It is just what I do, what I have done and what I will always do for my community. It isn’t new…I live here, I work here, and these business owners are my neighbors and my friends. I want them to succeed, and I will do everything I can to make sure they are given every opportunity to do so.” Mike believes community bankers are volunteers and leaders in their communities, and he embraces this responsibility each and every day. Mike is a graduate of UW-Whitewater, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance.
Contact
Some Fun Info About Mike
Experience
Mike has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2010.
Expertise
Small Business Banking | Small Business Loans | Meeting the Needs of Customers through Creative Solutions
Extracurriculars
Mike volunteers as a board member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Washington County, and he is the past president, chair of the Golf Marathon and Golf Fore Kids’ Sake fundraising events, and a member of the Finance and Budget Committee. He is also a member of the West Bend Police and Fire Commission, West Bend Sunrise Rotary and Rotary Foundation Board (secretary). Mike’s favorite day of the week is Monday.
Meet Dave Kruck
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
Dave enjoys building strong relationships with his customers. His goal is to become a trusted advisor in the business’s growth to help solve business owner’s problems on their road to success. Dave says he values the personalized touch, community support and local decision making the business banking team offers customers at Horicon Bank. Dave earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from UW-Stevens Point.
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Some Fun Info About Dave
Experience
Dave has more than 17 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2016.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Dave serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee for Evergreen Retirement Community. He is also a member of the Wisconsin Bankers Associations Government Relations Committee. Dave is an avid outdoorsman. When he’s not fishing or hunting, he’s cheering on the Green Bay Packers as a season ticket holder.
Meet Steve Leaman
Chief Banking Officer, Senior Vice President
Steve takes great pride in working with his customers to uncover solutions to the financial situations that keep them up at night. He serves as the business client’s primary point of contact and key financial advisor for their relationship with Horicon Bank. Steve says that “through building relationships with business owners, I work on a local level to provide the best service to fit each individual business. I also take pride in serving the community. By being active in the community through volunteer work and my professional position, I have grown to care deeply about the success of the Fond du Lac community, and it is an honor to work for an institution that feels the same way.” Steve is a graduate of UW-Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. He has been recognized for his extensive community commitment by being named Volunteer of the Year by Envision Greater Fond du Lac, an honorary Paul Harris Fellow by Fond du Lac Noon Rotary, the Donald G. Jones Leadership Alumni Award as well as the Wisconsin Alumni Association “Badger of the Year.”
Contact
Some Fun Info About Steve
Experience
Steve has more than 26 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2011.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Steve serves on the board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac, Envision Greater Fond du Lac Ambassadors’ Club, Moraine Park Technical College Small Business and Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee, the Wisconsin Alumni Association, Leadership FDL and Youth Leadership Fond du Lac. In his “spare time,” Steve is an avid supporter of Badger athletics and the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, enjoys attending live concerts and loves to travel with his family, especially cruising and mini-golf with his grandson!
Meet Jeff Liddicoat
Business Banking, Senior Vice President
Jeff is passionate about to the growth and success of local businesses and individuals. By putting together all the tools necessary, Jeff supports business owners by financing ideas, networking and connecting customers to experience within the area to help them succeed. Jeff earned his business degree from UW-Eau Claire.
Contact
Some Fun Info About Jeff
Experience
Jeff has more than 36 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2001.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Commercial and Residential Investment Properties
Extracurriculars
Jeff serves on the Board of Directors for Envision Greater Fond du Lac and the Greater Oshkosh Economic Corporation. He is a trustee on the UW-Eau Claire Foundation Board. When he’s not helping business customers, Jeff enjoys road biking the various bicycle paths around Wisconsin. His favorite place to bike is Sparta Trail in western Wisconsin.
Meet Craig Much
Business Banker, Vice President
Craig is passionate about helping businesses and their owners succeed, grow and thrive. He helps individuals achieve a more secure future by providing a wide range of products and services to address their needs and goals. Craig earned his finance degree at UW-Whitewater and has a unique background in the financial sector that allows him to relate to the concerns and needs while growing businesses.
Contact
Some Fun Info About Craig
Experience
Craig has more than 10 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2019.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service | Commercial and Residential Investment Properties
Extracurriculars
Craig volunteers with the United Way, Envision Greater Fond du Lac, the Waupun Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals of Fond du Lac. Craig was named the 2021 Volunteer of the Year by Envision Greater Fond du Lac. He was also once an examiner with the State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Meet Terry OConnor
Chief Lending Officer, Executive Vice President
Terry is passionate about helping commercial business customers and agricultural loan customers with their financing needs. From operating lines of credit and equipment term loans, to real estate construction/term loans, he has the knowledge and experience to find the right fit for business owners. Terry wants to help clients succeed financially. He enjoys reviewing customers’ financial statements and structuring a plan that helps them grow their business, build equity and achieve their goals. Terry graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in agricultural business management/ag finance.
Contact
Some Fun Info About Terry
Experience
Terry has more than 37 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 1998.
Expertise
Agricultural Loans | Commercial C&I Loans | Commercial Real Estate Loans | Helping Clients Analyze Their Financial Statements and Structure Loans to Meet Short- and Long-term Goals
Extracurriculars
Terry currently serves as a board member for The Gathering Source Food Pantry. Terry also served as a board member for the YMCA of Dodge County, Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Dodge County United Way, Randolph Christian School, Columbia County Dairy Promotion Committee and others. Terry enjoys spending time with family and friends, participating in Bible studies, biking, swimming, hiking, camping and most outdoor activities.
Meet Rick Schabo
Business Banker, Market President
Rick enjoys working with companies and the individuals who own them to provide solutions for all their financing, cash management and deposit account needs. Rick is a graduate of UW-Eau Claire’s Business School and has close to 30 years of experience working with a variety of industries. He is always looking forward to establishing new business relationships and to assist in their success. “Every business needs a trusted Banker, accountant and attorney. I find it very rewarding to be that banking partner that can be trusted and relied on through the many phases that a business will go through. I strive to establish a good relationship with the company and the individuals who own and work for the company.”
Contact
Some Fun Info About Rick
Experience
Rick has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2016.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Manufacturing Industry | Medical Industry | Service Industry | Individual Contractors | Real Estate Investment
Extracurriculars
Rick is a board member for the Fox West YMCA, serves on the YMCA Finance Committee and is a member of the Appleton Rotary Club. Rick loves the outdoors. He enjoys golf, hunting, fishing, summers in Door County, and spending time with his wife and two children. He also coached basketball for more than 15 years.
Meet Alexandra Solanki
Business Banker, Vice President
Alex enjoys working with business owners to provide solutions for their specific financing needs. Whether she is helping a business that is just starting out or a business that is making plans to expand, Alex hopes to be a trusted partner in helping local business succeed in her community. Alex earned her Undergraduate degree in Economics from Harvard University and her Master’s degree in International Relations/Finance from Johns Hopkins University. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder.
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About Alexandra
Experience
Alex has more than 3 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been with Horicon Bank since 2021.
Expertise
Business Loans | Small Business Loans | Customer Service
Extracurriculars
Alex volunteers as a Sunday School teacher at her church in Wauwatosa, WI. She enjoys cheering on all Wisconsin’s great sports teams and is learning Japanese.
Meet Michael Stover
Senior Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Lender
Michael is the lead of our Commercial Real Estate lending division with a special focus on investment and development properties. He brings over 19 years of financial experience to Horicon Bank. Michael’s favorite part of his position is advising clients on their investment goals. Michael graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a degree in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics.
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About Michael
Experience
Michael has more than 12 years of banking experience and has been at Horicon Bank since 2022.
Expertise
Investment and Development Properties in the Multifamily | Industrial | Retail and Office Sectors
Extracurriculars
Michael enjoys giving back to his community. He is a Board Member and Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing with his family and competing in cycling and triathlon events. In 2021, he completed his first Ironman!
Meet John Zanghi
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
As a commercial and agricultural lender, John has experience in developing, managing, and expanding a loan portfolio of credit and related services. He has a passion for providing customer loyalty and works with small and intermediate-size family businesses to large family companies. John says he enjoys helping business owners’ dreams come to life. “Every day I am amazed by the ingenuity of individuals — the taking of an idea and turning it into reality. Sometimes those ideas will require financial capital to get it off the ground or help propel it to the next level. If I can help an individual or company meet their financial needs through the use of financial products and services, then I have accomplished my goal.” John earned an AAS in animal science from Alfred State College and a Bachelor of Science in animal science and agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has completed one year of Graduate School of Banking.
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About John
Experience
John has more than 33 years of experience in the banking industry. He has been with Horicon Bank since 2012.
Expertise
Commercial Loans | Agricultural Lending | Dairy, Beef and Grain Industries
Extracurriculars
John serves as the President of the Pregnancy Support Center of Dodge County, Treasurer of the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce and volunteers as a Youth Group Leader. John loves woodworking, working with ceramic tile and landscaping. He is a Certified Flight Instructor through the FAA and an Eagle Scout through Boy Scouts of America. He used to judge dairy cattle and his hometown is Dunkirk, NY.
Meet Chad Zimborski
Business Banker, Vice President
Chad enjoys building relationships by learning about local businesses and their needs. He provides value by finding financial solutions to help business owners achieve their goals. Chad graduated from Lake Forest College with a degree in Business and receiving his MBA from Cardinal Stritch University.
Contact
Some Fun Info About Chad
Experience
Chad has more than 13 years of experience in the banking industry.
Expertise
Business Loans | Credit | Commercial and Residential Investment Properties
Extracurriculars
Chad enjoys giving back to his community and is actively involved with the local Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters. He also loves spending time outdoors. You’ll find him hiking, hunting or fishing!
Meet Chris Zirbes
Business Banker, Senior Vice President
Chris is a part of our Commercial Lending division and works with small family-owned businesses. Chris enjoys building relationships with business owners by getting out and understanding what they do to better help and improve their business. He provides them with the best customer service – fast responses to their requests to help get the answers they need. Chris graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a degree in Finance. He also graduated from University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Graduate School of Banking.
Contact
Location
Wauwatosa at Mayfair Collection11530 W Burleigh St. Suite 120
Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Some Fun Info About Chris
Experience
Chris has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry.
Expertise
Customer Service | Commercial Lending | Manufacturing Companies