For two Wisconsin families, working at North Shore Bank isn’t just a job—it’s a tradition. Multiple family members have had careers at the bank, drawn by the welcoming culture and positive opportunities for growth. 

Ann Pier with her husband and grandchildren

It all started in the 1970s when Joan Kiemen started working at North Shore Bank in Shorewood. Two decades later, Joan’s sister, Ann Pier, joined the bank’s HR Department. Like her sister, Ann enjoyed her job, her bosses, and her coworkers, so when her daughter, Laura—then Laura Pier, now Laura Habighorst—was looking for job opportunities, Ann suggested she consider an open position at North Shore Bank. Taking her mother’s suggestion, Laura applied and was hired in 2008. Currently, she is a Credit Analyst. 

Jon Habighorst and his mom, Celeste Hathaway

Meanwhile, another North Shore Bank connection was forming in a different branch of the family tree. Jon Habighorst was looking for a new career opportunity, and his mother, Celeste Hathaway, also a former employee, suggested he look for openings at North Shore Bank. At the time, she no longer worked for the bank, but she always spoke highly of her experience in the early 2000s at the Menasha and Appleton branches. Jon found a good fit for his experience in financial services and real estate and joined the team in 2012. Today, he is a Commercial Real Estate Loan Originator. 

Then, in 2013, Laura and Jon met at work. As they got to know each other, they discovered they had much in common, including family members who were former employees of the bank. Their professional paths soon intertwined with their personal lives, leading to dating, engagement, and eventually marriage. In 2018 they welcomed their son, Ben. 

It was fun for the families to discover the North Shore Bank connection as Laura and Jon got together.  “It was surprising to find out that Laura’s mother-in-law worked at one of the branches years ago,” Ann said. Ann and Celeste didn’t know each other then, but of course they do now!

Laura, Jon, and Ben Habighorst

Along the way, Laura and Jon have appreciated working for the bank, just as their mothers did before them. “I’ve been lucky to work with a couple of great managers that have helped my professional career in banking grow,” Jon said. “I also like that North Shore Bank is large enough to provide our customers with resources that cover just about every financial need they may require in life.”

Laura is grateful for the opportunities for growth the bank provides. “I appreciate how North Shore Bank really promotes career progression within the bank. I’ve seen so many fellow employees, including myself and my husband, who have started out in one role and advanced into the roles that were more fitting,” she said. 

So will any more Habighorst family members be joining North Shore Bank in the future? Laura said she would not hesitate to recommend that other family members apply—maybe even 6-year-old Ben at some point down the road.

“If he wants to pursue a career in banking, I would absolutely support that,” Laura said. “In the meantime, we will work on his math skills.”