Check out our back-to-school pics, and send yours too!
School is starting again, and we want to see your pictures! Send your back-to-school photos to shorelines@northshorebank.com or text them to 608-318-3348. Include your name and the name of each kid in the picture, what grade they’re heading into, and a few words about what they’re excited for this year. We’ll run the photos over the next few weeks as we receive them.
Burlington branch manager Robin Callis’s grandson Chase, 5, started kindergarten this year. (Brother Rhett, 4, at right, shadowed him in preparation for pre-K in a few weeks.) “Chase absolutely LOVED his first day,” Robin said. “However, on the second day, when he realized there were rules to follow, he told his mom that he was ‘done’!”
“As this was her first-ever first day of school, it was an emotional learning experience for her dad and me,” electronic banking specialist Angela Trantow said of daughter Riley. “But Riley was very excited for all the new friends and activities she would have and get to do.”
A second-day-of-school pic of Union Grove branch manager James Shook’s daughter Gianna. Her report: “Second grade is hard. There’s a lot of math!”
“Layla is 6 and is going into first grade — although everyone thinks she is way older, as she is 4 feet 6 inches tall!” said Franklin assistant branch manager Samantha Damman. “She is extremely excited. She loves learning new things and being challenged. Her favorite subjects are math and art.”
And Burlington personal banker Jolene Cedeno’s daughter Natalie is starting sixth grade. “After being virtual for a year and a half, she is very excited about finally seeing her friends every day,” Jolene said. •••
Weber, Kroll collaborate to help customer
This nice feedback card from a customer notes, “Staff was always very courteous, friendly, and professional. Thank you for good service and your easy-to-follow website!”
Shannon Weber
When Shorewood branch manager Shannon Weber met her this summer, new customer Della* was retired but having trouble making her monthly payments on the credit card debt that financed her education after a midlife career change. “Her payment covered most of the monthly interest and late fee, and that was it,” Shannon said. “She was so far upside down and did not know how to get out of this hole.”
Greg Kroll
Shannon helped Della apply for a home equity line of credit to consolidate that debt at a 2.99 percent APR, which would have saved Della $300 a month. And when Della was denied for the HELOC, Shannon had a backup plan: She talked to mortgage loan officer Greg Kroll. He was able to offer Della a new 10-year fixed-rate mortgage on essentially the same terms as the HELOC.
“I have seen this happen before, where a customer is not able to get a consumer loan, but is able to get a mortgage,” Greg said. “This will also put the bank in a better position to avoid any issue with her making payments on her current loan.”
After talking to Greg, Della wrote to Shannon: “I am feeling relief and hope and will now prepare for the assessment so we can move forward. I am so aware of the work and care both of you put in to help make this happen. Not sure how I will be able to properly express my gratitude for all of this.”
“I have heard this term before, but now I know what it means,” Greg wrote after Della described him as a mensch. “I’m honored.”
She also said, “Greg, like you, has wings! He is most certainly a mensch. He explained everything I needed to know and helped me see the risks and pitfalls as well as how we could best accomplish the goals.”
“Hats off to Shannon for identifying alternatives and following through for the customer,” Greg said. “This is one of the reasons I enjoy what I do — because there is nothing better than knowing at the end of the day I was able to help someone get into a better situation than they are in currently.”
“I am so happy we are able to help her,” Shannon said, noting that “it all started because I reached out in a cold call to her to introduce myself and invite her in for a review.”
“Great work with this customer,” wrote VP consumer lending manager Chris Boland. “This is a true testament to your partnership and willingness to find the right solution for the customer, regardless of who does the loan. You both do great things for your customers and North Shore Bank.”
*Customer’s name has been changed to ensure their privacy. •••
Bank donates supplements to nonprofit horse farm
Sam’s daughter Layla with Stepping Stone founder Lia. “I took horseback riding lessons through a youth program growing up, and now Layla does too,” Sam says.
Franksville nonprofit Stepping Stone Farms rescues horses and helps humans. Its School of Horsemanship gives kids and adults the opportunity to learn resilience and heal through hands-on work with horses. Each week, the organization posts “Wishlist Wednesday” items on its Facebook page. As part of our ongoing Bank on Kindness project, Franklin assistant branch manager Samantha Damman arranged for North Shore Bank to donate five cans of MSM joint supplements for the animals.
Stepping Stone is holding a free fall open house on Sunday, September 19. Along with chances to pet and ride the horses, the day will feature music, food, crafts, a bake sale, and a silent auction. •••
Notice how outlook matters more than environment
No matter how beautiful the setting, if you’re in a funk, you won’t appreciate it. But the most run-down lodgings will be fine with the right frame of mind. The scenery matters less than your outlook.
Try this meditation for one minute every day, or longer if you want to:
MY STATE OF MIND makes a bigger difference than where I am or what I have to do.
How did this meditation go for you? Share your thoughts and feelings in Shorelines and you’ll be entered to win a copy of A Mindful Day: 365 Ways to Live Life With Peace, Clarity, and an Open Heart, by David Dillard-Wright.
If you’d like a daily email reminder to practice one minute of mindfulness, email us with the subject “Mindfulness reminder.” —Pat Ingelse, AVP and PMP •••
Reminder: $2,500 referral bonus
Don’t forget! We’ve got a $2,500 job referral bonus for positions at our branches and in the Call Center. Through the end of the month, you can earn that bonus if you refer a qualified candidate for a branch or Call Center job and they are hired. This bonus applies only to branch and Call Center positions.
All employees except senior executives and HR staff are eligible. District, branch, and department managers are not eligible if the referral is for a role they are responsible for.
For your referral to qualify, the candidate must remain employed by North Shore Bank for 180 days, and both you and the candidate must be employed here on the payment disbursement date. The first half of a referral payment will be paid out after the new hire’s first 30 days, with the remaining half paid out after the 180 days are up. Get more information about the job referral program here! •••
New Hires for September 2
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.
Business banking officer Audrey Sellers is from Brown Deer and was previously a vice president and commercial loan officer at Tri City National Bank. Besides enjoying riding the local bike trails and spending time with family, she is also a big Milwaukee Bucks fan and season-ticket holder. “The playoff finals games were awesome!” she says. “I like close games, so the scoring in the fourth quarters made it that much more exciting and nerve-racking. My favorite players are Giannis and Middleton. Winning the championship put Milwaukee back on the basketball map, and I can’t wait until next season starts!”
Westgate teller Nicolle Pullos is from Bourbonnais, Illinois. She previously worked at Dairy Queen and is also a sophomore at Governors State University, majoring in accounting. “I enjoy sewing and creating clothing items, as well as scrunchies,” she says. “Over the summer, I made a few dresses as well as a ton of scrunchies.” •••
Markets, music, and a fall showcase of homes
What’s going on with you? If you or someone in your family has a special event — a concert, show, sporting or charity event, or another important moment — send the details to shorelines@northshorebank.com. We’ll include information about select events to let your colleagues know about all the cool stuff happening with the North Shore Bank team.
The Market on Military takes place today and every Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. in the former Sears parking lot at the corner of West Mason and Military Avenue in Green Bay. This outdoor farmers market runs through October 28. More info here.
Tickets are now available for the Brown County Homebuilders Association Fall Showcase of Homes at our Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Green Bay East and West, Howard-Suamico, and Pulaski branches. Advance tickets are $12 each, and the showcase will be September 18 and 19, and September 23 through 26, in Green Bay. More info here.
The Wisconsin Singer Songwriter Series features Katie Dahl on Friday, September 10, at the Unitarian Church in Mequon. Advance tickets are on sale at our Grafton branch and are $19 for adults and $12 for students. More info here.
The second North Shore Bank Shorewood Feast will be Saturday, September 11. Although dinner tickets are sold out, there will still be plenty of music, food, and fun. More info here.
And Golfin’ on the Green will take place Tuesday, September 14, at Muskego Lakes Country Club. More info here. •••