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June 1, 2026
KAUKAUNA – With construction coming along “swimmingly,” Vice President of Marketing Carrie Liebhauser said CoVantage is expanding its physical presence in the Fox Valley with a new branch in Kaukauna – marking the 25th location for the Wisconsin-based credit union.
Despite the rainy spring, Liebhauser said the building – located at 101 E. Kelso Rd. – is on track to be completed this summer.
“We were able to stay on schedule with everything,” she said, “so we’re really happy [and] are planning for a soft opening in June.”
Liebhauser said the branch’s primary “physical structure is up” as crews simultaneously work to install its landscaping and signage around the 3,500-square-foot facility.
“A lot of the finishing touches are being put in,” she said.
With an official grand opening scheduled for July, Assistant Vice President Beth Genske said she’s looking forward to serving new and, especially, existing members who previously had to travel outside of Kaukauna to access CoVantage services.
“I used to manage our Appleton branch, so between Appleton and De Pere, we see many, many Kaukauna and Little Chute members,” she said. “In the Fox Valley, we’re in Appleton, Neenah and Menasha, then we have De Pere and Suamico – so Kaukauna bridges the gap between Appleton and De Pere, and that really helps us cover more of the Fox Valley.”
High visibility, convenient services
After years of searching for the right location, Genske said CoVantage was drawn to the Kelso Road property because of its visibility to passersby.
“We love visible spots,” she said. “I think we had a realtor who was actively looking for us, [and] it did take a couple of years…, but our location is so great.”
Liebhauser said the branch’s visibility is largely tied to its location near Interstate 41, just off the County Highway J exit on the west side of the highway.
“I think it brings a convenience factor because of its location,” she said. “It’s so close off the highway – you literally exit the highway, basically make a right turn and you’re at the branch.”
In addition to providing another option for existing members in Kaukauna, Liebhauser said the location also offers an on-the-way-home option for members beyond the river-side city.
“There are so many people who are traveling between Green Bay and, say, Appleton,” she said. “This [will be] a really great, convenient location, not only for the people of Kaukauna and the surrounding area, but for commuters [as well].”
During a soft opening in June, Liebhauser said CoVantage’s Kaukauna branch will initially serve existing members while staff acclimates to the new space.
“The soft opening is basically [so] we can serve members and work out any of the kinks that may happen because we’re going to have new staff, new employees, new equipment and all that good stuff,” she said. “We want to make sure everything’s working beautifully before we say, ‘Hey, everyone, we’re here – come and visit us.’”
In addition to its regular banking staff, Genske said the Kaukauna branch will offer mortgage lending and investment consulting by appointment.
“What’s unique about this branch – [but that’s also] the same in De Pere – is we’ve got virtual teller machines,” she said. “Our tellers are virtual… and they’ll pop up to assist members as well, [which helps us] to assist a lot of members at one time.”
Expanded community give-back
Beyond establishing a physical branch, Liebhauser said CoVantage is excited to officially extend its philanthropic reach into Kaukauna.
Though CoVantage already serves members throughout the area and operates nearby branches, Liebhauser said having a dedicated location and team in Kaukauna will allow the organization to become even more engaged in the community and surrounding region.
“One of the things we really pride ourselves on is our involvement in the community and that we give back to the community,” she said.
Since its founding in 1953 as the Antigo Co-op Credit Union, per covantagecu.org, CoVantage has operated under its philosophy “of doing business for people-not-profit” – growing to employ roughly 450 people and support more than 15,000 members across Wisconsin and the U.P.
As manager of both the De Pere and upcoming Kaukauna branches, Genske said she is excited to strengthen CoVantage’s presence in a community that is personally important to her.
“I also live in Kaukauna, so I’m really excited to be partly close to home,” she said.
Through initiatives like its CoVantage Cares Foundation and Credit Union Community Support program, Liebhauser said CoVantage is dedicated to serving not only its members, but the communities they live and work in.
“By having an additional location [in Kaukauna], it allows us to serve even more communities, not just from a financial [services] perspective, but our foundation contributes a lot financially and with volunteer opportunities in that community,” she said. “So, it broadens our reach from an advocacy perspective and from a community support perspective.”
For more on CoVantage Credit Union, its services and locations, visit its aforementioned website.
