EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Candy Cane Lane raises nearly $172K to fight childhood cancer

Visitors to Candy Cane Lane donated $171,540 to the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) to close out 2024. The total was the third largest in Candy Cane Lane’s 39-year history. 01861 North Shore Bank Night was held on opening night in November, with bank employees on hand to collect donations for the charity. 

North Shore Bank also collected coins in the annual “Change for a Cure” matching campaign, which allowed individuals to have their coins counted for free at bank branches and designate all or a portion of them to be donated to the MACC Fund. The bank donated a $1,000 match to support the work of the MACC Fund. 

The annual event, which takes place in a West Allis neighborhood, is a tradition for many local families who enjoy driving or walking through to see all the amazing displays of lights and adorable holiday decorations. 

Area Manager Joline Lazarski said her husband, Ray, is one of the Santas that helps make Candy Cane Lane so magical for children at the holidays. “Doesn’t he look like it!” she said. 

Joline coordinates the bank’s involvement in Candy Cane Lane and volunteers on opening night and again throughout the event’s run. North Shore Bank is proud to have been involved in Candy Cane Lane for each of its 39 years, and the dedication of people like Joline has made it incredibly successful. 

Local homeowners Steve and Bobby host the collection site in front of their house, and they are kind enough to allow the bank to store candy and supplies there, too. The organizers were so excited to have another great year! Thanks to all who helped out or donated! 

 

NEW HIRES

Welcome to our new hires for December 2024!

Meet your new coworkers, all hired in December 2024! Welcome to all. 

Adonda Coleman, Lead Teller at Martin Luther King Drive

Prior to my role at North Shore, I was employed at Associated Bank as a Senior Call Center Representative, and I assisted with training new hires as needed. I’ve been in the banking field for three consistent years. What intrigued me about North Shore is how personable we are internally and externally! I assist my fiancé with coaching football. In the last two years, we’ve won two championships. I live in Cudahy. In September 2025, my fiancé and I are getting married. Together, we share two children. In our free time, we visit my dad at his cabin in Tennessee to hunt and fish. We’re also really big on football, ice skating, and traveling.

Jill Gall, Contact Center Manager

I was working for PNC Bank prior. I have been in banking for 25 + years, with several roles at different banks. I have been an SVP District Manager of Branch Banking, SVP Program/Project Manager for Retail Banking Special Projects, Corporate Compliance, Private Banking, Mortgage, SVP Lending Contact Center Manager, and Branch Manager. I have wanted to come to North Shore Bank for quite some time. I really like what North Shore Bank represents: community, customer-centric, and teamwork. In my roles over the years, the most rewarding things I have done are taking corporate visions and bringing them to life with other like-minded professionals, developing talent, sharing my knowledge, contributing to the community, and serving the customer. I look forward to working hard and helping others at North Shore Bank. We live in Cedarburg. My husband and I have a soon-to-be 16-year-old boy who is getting ready to drive (YIKES). When I am not working, I watch my son play basketball and run track. We love all sports and keep very active. I feel very blessed to be part of the North Shore Bank Team!

Cheray Gardison, Mortgage Loan Originator Associate

Before starting at North Shore Bank, I worked at Dovenmuehle Mortgage Servicing, Inc., as one of the client audit support supervisors. I’ve been in banking for over 20 years and have held many roles—teller, loan server, loan closing agent, lending assistant, commercial loan processor, mortgage auditor, and servicing support supervisor. North Shore Bank’s community presence attracted me to work here, and I like helping people meet their goals. I attend Embassy Center MKE Church, and we are very involved in the community. Last summer, we had a shoe drive and gave away 1,000 pairs to the youth in our local community. It was amazing! I live in Milwaukee and am the mother of two adult children and one living granddaughter. In my free time, I write. I have a blog, have published three Christian fiction novels, and submitted a movie script to the Austin Film Festival last summer. 

Faye Hendren-Stegemeier, Teller at Westgate

Prior to North Shore Bank, I was employed at Safari Lake Geneva. Being up close and personal with all those animals was exciting, but I sure don’t miss the hot days outside! This is my first opportunity to work in banking! I’m very excited to learn the ins and outs and very appreciative of everyone who has been patient while I learn. I love learning new things and challenging myself. I live in Racine, and my current hobby is learning different styles of fiber arts. I embroider and crochet, and next, I’m going to learn to cross-stitch. 

Mariella Munoz-Godinez, Associate Banker at Mitchell Street

This is my first experience in banking, and I love my new career change. Before starting at North Shore Bank, I worked in teaching (Milwaukee Area Technical College and Alverno College) and journalism (Telemundo News). I also was a Spanish medical interpreter at Children’s Hospital Wisconsin. I love educating and teaching my community and individuals and seeing them take the lead to open bank accounts, build credit, and obtain loans for anything they need. I live in Greenfield and am an active volunteer with the Red Cross of Wisconsin, serving as a local and national spokesperson and bilingual Spanish public affairs representative and interpreter. I have two sons, ages 18 and 14. We love to travel, go to movies, and try new restaurants. I love to dance, read, and cook in my free time. 

Lisa Nowakowski, Contact Center Specialist

Before North Shore Bank, I was an assistant guest services manager at Festival Foods. My location closed in October 2024. I started in banking in 1999 at Wauwatosa Credit Union (now Focus Credit Union), first as a part-time teller. When I left in 2007, I was a loan officer. I moved to Securant Bank & Trust, where I was the operations supervisor for 12 years. I worked at North Shore Bank for a very short time in 1992. My mom retired from here in 2014 after 30 years. I like helping people, whether in person or over the phone. I live in Milwaukee with my husband of 32 years, Todd, and our three dogs. We have two adult children—daughter Emily is 31, and son Michael is 29—and two grandchildren. 

 

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Employees receive additional benefits with Elan credit cards

What does 2025 have in store for you?

Is this the year you finally take that great trip? Update your home? Start that hobby you’ve been meaning to do? Or have inflation, holiday spending, and unexpected expenses left you feeling squeezed a little too tightly? This is where working for a financial institution has its benefits.

Employees of North Shore Bank have an opportunity to apply for one of our credit cards with two valuable extra benefits available only to our employees on select products:

• An extended 0% introductory rate duration
• The best available APR

This flyer provides an overview of your employee card products and codes so you can apply confidentially from your cell phone or computer. 

Please take this opportunity to review the various card options available as they provide industry-leading value, especially when combined with employee-only benefits.

 

PROMOTIONS

Mortgage Days promotion extended to six weeks this year

Mortgage Days, an initiative to promote our mortgage products and the expertise of our lenders, kicks off Monday, Jan. 20, and will run through the end of February. This year, the effort has been extended to six weeks to raise awareness of North Shore Bank’s mortgage lending and increase conversation about mortgages in the branches. 

This year’s focus will be on first-time homebuyers and those looking to build new homes or upsize or downsize an existing house. Look for promotions of Mortgage Days on our website, social media, and other targeted communications. 

Whether you or someone you know is buying a first home, building a new one, or considering refinancing, now’s a great time to talk with a North Shore Bank lender. Our lenders can help answer mortgage questions, share special offers, and guide you through the process. 

Please help spread the word about Mortgage Days through conversations at your branches and by sharing our social media posts! 

 

HEALTHY YOU

Tips for parenting children from infants through adolescents

Parenting children at any age presents challenges, although some are predictable, thanks to the work of psychoanalyst Erik Erikson. Erikson’s theory of the stages of human development has helped inform parents and those who work with children for decades. 

The stages Erikson defined outline how individuals acquire skills, knowledge, and confidence as they grow from infants to adults. Learn more about Erikson’s stages of development and how to support teens and young adults here. 

 

Shorelines wants to share news about YOU!

Just a reminder that we’re always looking for fun and exciting things to share in Shorelines.  Whether it’s a special event at your branch or a shout-out to one of your coworkers, a great trip you went on with family or friends, information about a half-marathon you’re running, or even just a fantastic photo you took over the weekend, we’d love to share it! Please email shorelines@northshorebank.com to have your news included in a future issue.

 

Customer Loyalty Tip of the Week

Today’s customers expect apathy, indifference, and the run-around. Instead of meeting their expectations, find ways to exceed them by offering service they don’t expect.

 

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Discover events and activities in and around your community

• Lowering Your Borrowing Costs with a Grant Seminar | Saturday, February 15, 2025 (11:00 AM) | North Shore Bank-Community Room | 4230 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI