20
Wisconsin Community Banker
November/December 2014
When Monona State Bank opened
its Atwood Avenue office on Madison’s
near east side, it brought community
banking back to the site for the first
time in years.
Designed by Frank Riley and com-
pleted in 1923, the Georgian Revival
building first served as an office of
Security State Bank. Standing tall at
the triangular intersection of Atwood
Avenue and Winnebago Street, the
bank anchored the Schenk-Atwood
neighborhood and served as the cen-
ter of its retail area.
For longtime Madisonians, there’s
always been a bank on the corner,
though over the years the name above
the pillared entrance periodically
changed. Monona State Bank took
over the location from Chase Bank in
2013.
Paul Hoffmann, Monona State
Bank president and CEO, noted, “It
has been many years since a locally-
owned bank has been located in the
Schenk’s Corners …We’re proud to
bring true community banking back
to Madison’s east side.”
The bank has made a special effort
to listen to customers and support
local events and artists. In addition to
the Christmas tree towering beneath
the sky-lit rotunda, a bottle-cap tree
created by Angela Richardson stands
near the customer service desk in
the lobby. The local artist crafted the
sculpture during Atwoodfest last
summer from thousands of bottle caps
brought to the bank by area residents.
Monona State Bank also published
a 2015 calendar featuring the work
of Steven Kozar, who creates hyper-
realist paintings in watercolor, oil, or
acrylic. After photographing various
scenes — often Madison-area land-
scapes — Kozar paints over many
layers to create his much sought-after
artwork.
Monona State Bank Branch
Stands as Cornerstone of the Neighborhood
Calendar features the art of Steven Kozar.
Standing in the bank
branch lobby, the
Cap Tree represents
the contributions of
many neighborhood
residents.