Employees posed in front of the state capitol in Madison. From left are: Breanna Rooney, Beth Wianecki, Erica Hughes, Kristin Monday, Cristen Baumann, Shannon Weber, Rachel Rasmussen, Micki Usama, Kerri Collins, Mike Williams, and Katie Longsine.

Thirteen North Shore Bank employees attended the Wisconsin Banking Association’s Capitol Day in Madison on Wednesday, April 26, where they heard from leaders of the State Senate and Assembly and learned about bills currently being drafted that could have an impact on Wisconsin banks.

“After lunch, we walked to the capitol and met with members of the Senate and Assembly to talk about those issues. Sometimes we were one of a few banks at the table meeting with the legislator; other meetings were one-on-one,” said VP compliance and BSA Kristen Gagliano, who led the trip.

Community engagement manager Katie Longsine met with state Representative John Macco.

“He shared a story of how his mother was conned out of $15,000, and how upset he was that the bank didn’t do more to prevent her from losing that money,” she said. “He said he wants to know what bankers need to help prevent elder fraud and asked if I’d read the recent bill drafted on this topic. He then had his assistant print it out and asked me to read it and follow up with him by phone or email.”

“It was truly eye-opening,” community engagement manager Erica Hughes said. “I learned more about the WBA and their impact on the banking industry through lobbying at the capitol. I was honored to be included in the process of impacting the lives of our customers by speaking with a member of Dan Knodl’s staff. He was aware of the need for change in many areas, especially elder fraud and credit union competition.”