Community-Minded: Lozano, Hughes teach finance

MLK Drive branch manager Karla Lozano and Milwaukee Capitol branch manager Erica Hughes have been working with community public schools to teach students about financial literacy.

“We’ve been doing this the past two months and hope to continue for many more,” Karla reports. The managers have visited both Southeastern Education Center and Brown Deer Elementary School twice, working with about 40 seventh- and eighth-graders and 20 fifth- and sixth-graders.

They’ve discussed topics like savings, interest rates, balancing checkbooks and writing checks, and how financial choices made today have an impact on one’s options in the future. Read more about the great work these North Shore Bank managers are doing!

New: See in-process transactions in Online Banking

Checking customers can now see in-process (or pending) transactions when they log in to Online Banking. These are debit card transactions that have been completed at the point of purchase, but not yet fully processed and posted by our bank and the merchant’s.

This feature will be available in employee checking accounts starting tomorrow, March 22. Log in to Online Banking to check out your in-process transactions.

Questions? Contact customer service. —Karen Degarmo, Product & Channel Marketing Manager •••

SOAR Together Tributes: February 2019
Last month’s winners of our Seymour Salutes awards are John Goman and Erica Kuik, along with Rising Stars Evelyn Vasquez and Megan Wick. Read more about their achievements here!

South District SOARs high with internal customers
In February, our internal customers were invited to take the SOAR Together internal survey and rate their satisfaction with the level of service they received from the South District branches. District manager Brian Bozek shares the good news — take a look!

Penny Wars raise more funds for video contest winners

A Penny Wars coin collection challenge for Kenosha’s McKinley Elementary School raised $554.70 to help economically challenged fifth-graders join their classmates on a camping trip. North Shore Bank contributed another $500 in matching funds, after members of the community donated their loose change throughout February at our three Kenosha branches.

Area branch manager Julie Goebel organized the Penny Wars collection after McKinley won won our “Make Change Happen” video challenge last November.

“The teachers were excited and said that a few more parents were able to volunteer to chaperone, now that the cost of students is so low,” Julie said. “The branches were very enthusiastic when a customer would ask what the donations would be used for, which really helped contribute to the success.”

She added that the relationship with the school continues to grow: “To keep the momentum going, I invited the fifth-graders to visit the bank to learn about finance and banking. We will be hosting a learning session this spring!”

Up top, McKinley fifth-grade teachers Katie Richards and Brian Zielsdorf accept a check from Kenosha Main teller supervisor Wanda Pillizzi and Julie. Above are thank-you letters from the classes after their “Make Change Happen” win, and the canisters to collect spare change. •••

Question of the Month: Excited for spring?

Recent cold snaps notwithstanding, spring has to be coming soon. Tell us: What are you looking forward to when it gets warmer? Here’s what to do:

• Send your note to shorelines@northshorebank.com. Be sure to include your name, job title, and branch or department.
• If there’s a picture that fits the subject, send it along! (If you can’t email the photo, text it to 608-318-3348.)
• Deadline is Friday, March 22.

We’ll run responses on Thursday, March 28. Stay warm! 💐 •••

Kudos for Shorewood branch employees
SVP Mike Kellman received this message from a very satisfied customer:

I just wanted to send you a quick note to tell you about the great experience [my wife] and I had working with your Shorewood branch. Specifically, Shannon Weber is terrific, as we came in for a HELOC and requested a full appraisal to drop the PMI from our Wells Fargo mortgage. Shannon suggested that we look at refinancing the first mortgage entirely, as the rates were good and it was probably less hassle than navigating Wells Fargo’s processes.

We then worked with Greg Kroll, who was also terrific and made the process as smooth as possible. His follow-up was also timely to keep things moving forward, and I couldn’t ask for a better process. We shaved seven years off of the amortization, and I’m happy that you guys are now servicing the mortgage, as I’m a local bank supporter.

Thanks to Shannon, we have a better mortgage and ended up with a larger HELOC than we expected. You guys always hire good people, and both Shannon and Greg represent your bank well.

Nice work, Shorewood! •••

North Shore Shape Up: Walks lower blood pressure
You already know exercise is good for you. But a new study looked at the effect a simple 30-minute morning walk could have on the blood pressure of otherwise mostly sedentary overweight adults. Cleveland Clinic Wellness reports:

In a controlled setting, researchers assessed the effects of adding a 30-minute morning walk to an otherwise sedentary day (sound familiar?) among a group of overweight adults. Blood pressure dropped among both men and women on the days when they walked—about the same degree as with blood pressure medication. What’s more, when women who had walked in the morning also broke up their daytime sitting with short, frequent breaks, they had an additional drop in blood pressure. (Men didn’t experience this bonus; sorry, guys.)

Other forms of exercise certainly deliver similar benefits. But walking is simple, affordable, and easy to do just about everywhere for most adults. You’ll probably feel refreshed afterward too! •••

Upcoming Events
The Eighth Annual Take a Taste Out of Crime takes place Friday, March 29 in Racine. This tasting of wine, beer, and cheeses benefits Racine Neighborhood Watch. More upcoming events here.

Internal Job Postings •••

TODAY

• Branch Manager II, Pewaukee, full time (40 hrs/wk). Pay grade: E12. Referral bonus: $750.

Friday, March 22

• Teller, Oak Creek, full time (40 hrs/wk). Pay grade: N02. Referral bonus: $300.

Tuesday, March 26

• Business Relationship Manager, Corporate, full time (40 hrs/wk). Pay grade: E13. Referral bonus: $750.

Ongoing

• Customer Assistance Rep, Corporate, full time (40 hrs/wk). Pay grade: N12. Referral bonus: $400.
• Video Teller and Video Teller Supervisor, Brookfield Square, full (40 hrs/wk) or part time (20). Pay grade: N03. Referral bonus: $400.

For complete information regarding internal job postings, application procedures, and our referral program, click on the Job Postings tile found on the home page in Ask Seymour.