Mortgage Lenders at Merchants Bank

Meet our team of Mortgage Lenders, who can help provide personalized mortgage and home loan options that align with your financing needs. For more information about a specific Mortgage Lender, click on the "get to know you" link.

Choose a location to apply now, view rates, or find the Merchants Bank Mortgage Lender(s) closest to you:

Apple Valley

Hampton

Winona

Rhonda Merchlewitz

Winona - Downtown

(507) 457-9355 | Email Rhonda
NMLS # 411295
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Angela Modjeski

Winona - Goodview

(507) 457-1116 | Email Angela
NMLS # 411297
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Dawn Stenberg

Winona - Downtown

(507) 457-1109 | Email Dawn Stenberg
NMLS # 439932
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Chad Woyczik

Winona - Lakeside

(507) 457-9301 | Email Chad
NMLS # 411321
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Tami Krause

St. Charles

(507) 932-4610 | Email Tami
NMLS # 411291
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Mike Stangl

La Crescent, Rushford & Lanesboro

(507) 895-9706 | Email Mike
NMLS # 604713
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B.J. Hamilton

La Crescent

(507) 895-9708 | Email B.J.
NMLS # 1026108

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Dawn Garms

Onalaska

(608) 779-8222 | Email Dawn Garms
NMLS # 515905
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Tina Mueller

Onalaska

(608) 779-8294 | Email Tina
NMLS # 411298
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Julie Augedahl

Caledonia & Spring Grove

(507) 724-7241 | Email Julie
NMLS # 851663
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Katie Lund

Rochester

(507) 535-1543 | Email Katie
NMLS # 1499559
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Mark Muck

Rochester

(507) 536-3901 | Email Mark
NMLS # 406326
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Arlene Schwerzler

Red Wing

(651) 267-4744 | Email Arlene
NMLS # 411307
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Paula Hogan

Cannon Falls & Hampton

(507) 263-7565 | Email Paula
NMLS # 411280
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Cindy Luedke

Apple Valley & Rosemount

(952) 837-4052 | Email Cindy
NMLS # 364665
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Brian Wester

Apple Valley & Rosemount

(952) 837-4058 | Email Brian
NMLS # 411320
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Chris Thrune

Cottage Grove

(651) 438-7367 | Email Chris
NMLS # 1625922
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Jenna DeBaere

Hastings

(651) 438-7315 | Email Jenna
NMLS # 1569007
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Tim Nelson

Lakeville

(952) 841-4268 | Email Tim
NMLS # 401971
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Ben Franko

Eau Claire

(715) 855-0827 | Email Ben
NMLS # 481007
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Tony Scalzo

Eau Claire

(715) 296-1160 | Email Tony
NMLS # 760499
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Rhonda Merchlewitz

Mortgage Lender - Winona-Downtown

Email Rhonda

Personal Profile

Rhonda Merchlewitz, Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer in Winona, takes personal pride in giving outstanding service to each and every customer. She is committed to making sure you have a complete understanding of the lending process and helping select the loan that best fits your needs. She will make the lending experience both exciting and rewarding.

In her spare time, Rhonda enjoys boating, camping, gardening and spending time with her family and dogs.

Experience

Rhonda has worked in all areas of banking and lending since 1999. She specializes in a wide variety of loan programs, including conventional, government guaranteed loans, new construction, lot loans, non-conforming and first-time home buyer loans.

Angela Modjeski

Mortgage Lender - Winona-Goodview

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What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I like being able to get customers in their first home - whether they need help building credit, creating a plan to save for a down payment or actually purchasing a home.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments?

Helping a customer who was struggling with a low credit score build up their score. I educated the customer on the necessary steps and provided opportunities to allow the customer to create more positive credit history on the customer's credit report, which in turn helped the customer's score.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

Don’t take the little things for granted.

How are you involved in the community?

I am and have been involved with several local groups including Habitat for Humanity, the Exchange Club, St. Martin’s Church and Ridgeway School.

Dawn Stenberg

Assistant Vice President / Mortgage Lender - Downtown Winona
Email Dawn Stenberg

Personal Profile

Dawn Stenberg, Mortgage Lender in Winona, is strongly committed to helping each customer fulfill their dream in home ownership. Dawn understands the importance in finding the correct loan product to fit your individual financial needs. Dawn believes communication, respectfulness, and motivation are all important and necessary attributes to building a rewarding relationship with each client. She is determined to make the overall experience seamless and rewarding.

Experience

Dawn has worked as a mortgage lender previously, both with Wells Fargo in the Winona market, and the John O Melby Bank in Whitehall, WI. She has worked in the mortgage field since 2008 and in the banking industry since 2002. Stenberg has been with the Merchants Bank organization since 2012, where she has worked both as a mortgage underwriter and a mortgage coordinator.

Chad Woyczik

Mortgage Lender - Winona-Lakeside

Email Chad

What is your top advice for home buyers?

I would say three things. Get pre-approved before looking for houses so you know what you can afford. If you haven’t checked your credit recently, use annualcreditreport.com to identify any potential credit issues that you may need to work on before getting to the mortgage application. Finally, get a home inspection.

What’s the best trip your ever took?

The family trip we took to Walt Disney World in Florida. It was our first trip there. As an adult, it was fun for me because it lived up to all my expectations growing up. It was also fun for me to see it through my kid’s eyes too…all the excitement and magic.

What is something people don’t know about you?

My wife and I like to go dancing.

How are you involved in the community?

I volunteer at the Elementary School through PTA, as a member of the Winona Friendship Center’s reaccreditation committee, Junior Achievement at the Middle School, and giving financial presentations to students at our local universities.

Tami Krause

Mortgage Lender - St. CharlesEmail Tami

Personal Profile

Tami Krause, Mortgage Loan Officer in St. Charles, feels privileged to help people get into their next home – whether it’s a first, second, third or fourth home. Her attention to detail and personal needs helps her provide the level of service that our customers deserve and expect.

Experience

Tami started her banking career with Merchants in 2002 as a lead teller. In 2007, she took on consumer lending responsibilities. In 2016, she added home loans to her areas of expertise – just one more reason our customers in St. Charles look forward to the one stop consumer banking experience Tami can provide.

Mike Stangl

Mortgage Lender - La Crescent

Email Mike

Save up to $500 off Closing Costs with Mike

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I like being able to take a customer’s dream of buying that new house and make it a reality for them.

How do you stay busy?

I enjoy anything outdoors. Hunting, fishing, kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking, camping, etc. I also enjoy going to concerts and trying new restaurants.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

You never learn anything while you are talking.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

I hope they say that they enjoyed working with me, the process was an easy one for them to understand and as stress free as possible for them.

How are you involved in the community?

I like to volunteer for many local events such as ringing bells for the Salvation Army, working at the Humane Society, sorting food at the Hunger Task Force, and participating in local walk/run events to help raise money for local charities.

B.J. Hamilton

Mortgage Lender - La Crescent

Email B.J.

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I enjoy visiting with people to learn about them and their lifestyle. Once I know what their wants and needs are, it is gratifying to fit them to the best product to turn their dreams into realities. Whether with a first time homebuyer, or a seasoned buyer, every process is unique. The process is not a “one size fits all,” it needs to be tailored to each individual customer.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Take a look at your lifestyle and find a monthly payment that fits it. If you purchase a home that costs more monthly than you are comfortable with and you have to stop doing the things you enjoy, you will start to resent your home and hate it. Your home should be a fun, relaxing place to go to after a hard day’s work.

How do you stay busy?

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends. We enjoy snow skiing in the winter, and during the summer we are boating, grilling out, going to a baseball tournament or just hanging out relaxing.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

Follow your heart and give 100% in everything you do - If you don’t try, you will never succeed.

Dawn Garms

Mortgage Lender - OnalaskaEmail Dawn

Save up to $500 off Closing Costs with Dawn

How do you approach working with your customers?

I am a very honest person that would tell a customer what I would personally do for myself. I look for ways to give the customer the most benefit.

How do you stay busy?

In my free time I enjoy traveling to new places, hiking, art, anything outdoors, and social gatherings with friends.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

Live life to the fullest.

How are you involved in the community?

I am active in the La Crosse Area Realtors Association, La Crosse Area Builder’s Association, and serve as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce.

Tina Mueller

Mortgage Lender - Onalaska Tina Mueller, Mortgage Lender

Email Tina

Save up to $500 off Closing Costs with Tina

Personal Profile

Tina Mueller, Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer in Onalaska, takes pride in a commitment to service and excellence in all that she does. She is a member of the La Crosse Area REALTORS Association, La Crosse Area Builders Association, Onalaska Area Business Association, and Past President and current board member of the Coulee Region Bankers Association. She is also Past President of the Holmen Show Choir Booster Club.

In her spare time, Tina enjoys boating, biking, reading, traveling, sporting events and spending time with her family. Tina is married with 2 children and resides in Holmen.

Experience

Being in the banking industry since 1992, Tina prides herself on putting her customers first and fitting them with a mortgage program that best fits their needs. Tina is well versed in conventional and government loan programs such as Federal VA and WHEDA - the Wisconsin First-time Home buyer program. She makes the financing aspect of the home-buying experience fast, efficient and worry-free for all parties involved. Her customers can expect a competitive interest rate, and full disclosure with thorough understanding of the terms and pricing of their loan. Whether you are looking to refinance an existing home, purchase or build a new one, call Tina today.

Julie Augedahl

Mortgage Lender - Caledonia

Email Julie

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

The best part of being a mortgage lender is helping customers fulfill their dreams of owning their own house, whether it be their first home, newly constructed home or vacation home.

How do you approach working with your customers?

Just smile and be kind! I have found listening is the best practice. Getting to know your customers and their wishes and values is important when purchasing a home!

How do you stay busy?

I have two kids that keep me busy. I also enjoy playing golf, softball and volleyball, love to cook and bake as well.

What is something people don’t know about you?

I lived in Cody WY for three and a half years. Its beautiful out there everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Katie Lund

Mortgage Lender - Rochester Northwest Plaza

Email Katie

Personal Profile

Katie Lund, Mortgage Lender in Rochester, puts the needs of her customers first and is dedicated to making sure those needs are met. She enjoys helping people realize their dreams of home ownership and matching customers up with the right Merchants Bank mortgage program.

Experience

Katie has been part of the Merchants Bank team since 2008, when she joined our leasing company Merchants Bank Equipment Finance. Since 2013, she has worked at Merchants Bank in Rosemount as a Mortgage Loan Coordinator, where she was an expert in the mortgage origination process.

Mark Muck

Mortgage Lender - Rochester Green Meadows

Email Mark

Personal Profile

Mark Muck is a Mortgage Lender at Merchants Bank in Rochester. He has a thorough understanding of all mortgage banking options, and can help you understand all that goes into a successful mortgage. Dedicated to helping qualified applicants find the right mortgage solution, Mark is proud to be with a true community bank that shares the same vision of customer satisfaction.

Experience

Mark has been in the mortgage field for almost his entire career. He can provide insight into mortgage rates and can help qualified applicants decide what's the best option for them. A creative mortgage lender, Mark's experience in the mortgage field started in the 1980s and includes working for a number of providers and owning his own mortgage business.

Arlene Schwerzler

Mortgage Lender - Red Wing

Email Arlene

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

Assisting borrowers with purchasing their home is the best. Buying a home to call your own, what could be a more special event for a person, and I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with them.

What is/are proudest accomplishment(s)?

Helping so many folks finance the biggest financial purchase of their life.

Who is your mentor and why?

My parents. They are good, honest, hard-working people who give effortlessly of themselves.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

That I have provided them a caring approach to financing and that they feel they can truly trust and count on me to provide the best financing option for them.

Paula Hogan

Mortgage Lender - Cannon Falls, Red Wing & Hampton

Email Paula

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Get pre-approved for a mortgage loan before you begin your home search.

How do you stay busy?

Reading, biking, fishing, attending my daughter’s sporting events and going up north.

Who is your mentor and why?

My dad. He is a very kind and generous person.

How are you involved in the community?

I attend and help with Chamber of Commerce events and am a board member of the Cannon Falls Bomber Dance Team Parent Association. I also volunteer throughout the community through my church.

Cindy Luedke

Mortgage Lender - Apple Valley Cindy Luedke, Mortgage Lender

Email Cindy

What do you enjoy about coming to work every day?

It’s never the same. It’s very interesting. As I’ve been here longer, I continue to see some of the customers I helped in the beginning, which is a great feeling.

What's your secret talent?

To make table arrangements out of whatever is available. I end up doing that a lot for special events.

What's your birthday meal?

My mom was always a good cook, so birthday meals were just as good as our everyday meals. She was always cooking. I remember I would get up at 7:15 in the morning for school and could smell homemade cinnamon rolls. I never understood how she had time to make them. They were still hot and made from scratch.

Brian Wester

Mortgage Lender - Apple Valley

Email Brian

What does community banking mean to you?

Being part of a banking group that’s a smaller entity compared to a larger big box bank. I think Merchants has a more customer-centric focus. We provide more opportunities for one-on-one interaction with customers. I like to think of it as being involved in your community and more personalized.

What one thing on your bucket list?

To go to Europe.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments?

Raising two daughters, getting them through college and out on their own.

What do you enjoy about coming to work every day?

I enjoy the interaction with customers, who have a number of different needs from loans to checking accounts. I get to wear all these different hats. I really like coming to work because I know there are a lot of people that I can get involved with because of the variety of areas I’m involved in at the Bank. Since I became Personal Banking Manager, I’m not just focused on mortgage any longer and it’s opened up more opportunities to meet and greet all of our customers. My job keeps me challenged, busy and time goes by quickly.

Chris Thrune

Mortgage Lender - Cottage Grove

Email Chris

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

The process of buying a home is very exciting for both myself and my customers. Not every customer is the same; each customer has different needs and wants. What I enjoy most about mortgage lending is figuring out the best possible way to satisfy these needs and while walking our customers through the process of home buying.

How do you approach working with your customers?

I approach my customers in the exact same way that I would expect to be approached; respectfully and honestly. If I wouldn’t personally do it, then I wouldn’t advise my customers to do it either.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

My top advice for home buyers would to get pre-approved before home shopping. This will alleviate shopping out of your budget and also put you in a strong position when it’s time to put in an offer.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

I would hope my customers would say that I am very honest and personable. These two characteristics are extremely important to me and I think they are key when working with our customers.

How are you involved in the community?

I am new the area and looking forward to getting involved in the Cottage Grove community.

Jenna DeBaere

Mortgage Lender - Hastings

Email Jenna

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

Getting to know my customers and providing the best customer service. Buying a home is exciting and I like that I can be involved in the process.

What’s the best trip you ever took?

I went to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico with my family. One of the highlights of the trip was when we rented scooters in Cozumel and explored the island.

Who is your mentor and why?

My mom. Over the years she has given me the help, advice, and tools to succeed and be successful in my personal and professional life.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

That I am easy to work with and go above and beyond to help get them into their home.

Tim Nelson

Mortgage Lender - Lakeville

Email Tim

How do you approach working with your customers?

I take the time to listen to the customer and discover their unique needs to better serve them.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Come in and see me early in the process. I can make your home buying fun and exciting while alleviating some of the stress.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

That family always comes first! I’m a proud father of four great kids and I do my best never to miss any of their activities.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

I hope they say that I always made sure that I was watching out for their best interests. I consider most of my past clients as friends.

Ben Franko

Mortgage Lender - Eau Claire

Email Ben

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I enjoy helping people make their dreams come true. Whether it’s the guiding them down the path to their first home, making the dream of a lake home become a reality, or using the equity in their current home for renovations.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Get pre-approved so that you know a price range when housing hunting and how the payment is going to affect your monthly budget. Don’t stretch yourself into a home that’s too much. You want a comfortable home and payment situation.

Who is your mentor and why?

I have had many mentors though life, but the two most important would be my dad and my maternal grandfather. Both have shown me that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it and are willing to work to achieve the goal.

What is something people don’t know about you?

I love classical music. It takes me back to my childhood and spending time with my grandfather, who had an amazing love of the classic composers.

Tony Scalzo

Mortgage Lender - Eau Claire

Email Tony

Save $350 off Closing Costs

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I like being a trusted partner to help people achieve their goal of home ownership - be it a first time home buyer or someone moving on to build or buy their next home or vacation home.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Listen to your lender, ask questions and be engaged in the process.

How do you approach working with your customers?

One word, simplify. I do everything I can to streamline the process for my customer and make it as easy and efficient as possible. I don’t keep bankers hours…I strive to be available when you’re available.

What’s the best trip your ever took?

A few years back I was able to cruise the Greek Isle between Greece and Turkey on the Aegean Sea on a small ship stopping at many of the Greek Islands along the way. I would love to live on the island of Mykonos someday.

How are you involved in the community?

I am the immediate Past President of the Spooner Lions Club. I am also an affiliate member the Realtors Association of Northwest Wisconsin.