MAKING THE NEWS

Bank named top midsize bank by Milwaukee Business Journal

The Milwaukee Business Journal has named North Shore Bank the strongest midsize bank (assets between $1 billion and $4 billion) in Wisconsin. This prestigious achievement is the result of a comprehensive analysis of financial data collected by the FDIC for banks headquartered in the state. This recognition is a testament to the bank’s strategic management, financial stability, and commitment to serving our customers and communities.

President & CEO Jay McKenna reflected on this achievement and the bank’s current standing. 

“While we manage and run North Shore Bank intentionally and deliberately to be extremely safe and strong, it is nice to occasionally receive third-party public affirmation of that. It helps to cement in the minds of our customers and communities that we are in this for the long run and are here for them. Our 100+year history bears that out,” he said. 

Jay also provided an update on the bank’s performance at the midway point in our fiscal year.

“We are in the midst of another strong fiscal year, and things are going very well. Of all the businesses we are in, we do wish the mortgage business was a bit stronger, but interest rates and housing market conditions are making that challenging right now,” he said. “Our other business lines are doing well.”

Looking forward, Jay said things look good, so he remains cautiously optimistic about the rest of the year. 

“We always keep a close eye on the economy, as that does have a significant impact on our industry,” he said. “The Fed looks as if it will hold interest rates steady for quite some time. As always, we are well-positioned for whatever comes our way.”

Congratulations to all on this impressive ranking for North Shore Bank! 

 

SOAR TOGETHER TRIBUTES

SOAR Award winners recognized for excellence, dedication to community

By Molly Schissler, Chief HR Officer

Ten North Shore Bank employees recently received SOAR Awards, recognizing them for the excellence they bring to their jobs and their interactions with customers and the community. Congratulations to all of the winners!

Outstanding Service

Nominees for this award exhibit superior levels of customer service and teamwork. The winners are:

• Allouez Assistant Branch Manager Aubrey Abrahamson – nominated by Allouez Teller Roxanne Gaul and Senior Contact Center Specialist Kari Tuyls

 

• Loss Prevention Lead Investigator Emily Glapsinski – nominated by Loss Prevention Manager Nikki Shelton-Moss, Vice President, Security/Payments Manager Lyneen Fischer, and Vice President, Banking Services and Operations Jude Lengell

 

• Corporate Receptionist Nancy Hanson – nominated by Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications Manager Kate Knox

 

• Grafton Branch Manager Bridget Sobocinski – nominated by District Manager Dee Patel

MORE-Click here to see all of our 2025 SOAR Award winners! 

 

RETIREMENTS

Celebrating Linda Lassa’s 40-year career with North Shore Bank

After more than 40 years of dedication, hard work, and kindness, Linda Lassa, Checking Services Team Lead, is retiring from North Shore Bank. Linda’s positive impact will be felt long after she steps into this exciting next chapter.

When asked what she’s enjoyed most about her time at the bank, Linda didn’t hesitate:
“Without a doubt, the people. I have made lifelong friends here.”

Over the years, Linda’s warmth and expertise have touched many. Her colleagues describe her as someone who not only excelled at her job but also brought genuine care to her interactions.

“I have had the pleasure to work with Linda the past 25 years,” shared Jude Lengell, Vice President, Banking Services and Operations.
“Linda has always been committed to getting her job done accurately and has provided assistance to others when needed. I wish Linda all the best in her retirement and hope it is filled with good health and lots of fun times with family and friends.”

Lyneen Fischer, Vice President, Security/Payments Manager, echoed these sentiments:
“I have worked with Linda in so many capacities over the years. She brings so much knowledge and dedication to North Shore Bank. She trained me in so many aspects of the support operations side of the bank. I will miss our sharing of pictures of family. I wish her and her family all the best that she deserves. Have a grand retirement and take care of those beautiful grandchildren!”

And speaking of grandchildren, Linda’s retirement plans sound just as fulfilling as her career. She’s looking forward to spending more time with her husband of 42 years. She also can’t wait to take care of their two grandchildren, Violet Jean and Sirus, on a regular basis.

Linda has some exciting adventures ahead, with a few trips already planned for this year. She’s also eager to give back by volunteering at her church and at the school where her granddaughter will be attending next year.

“So much to look forward to in this new chapter of my life,” Linda shared with excitement.

Congratulations on your retirement, Linda, and thank you for your many years of excellent service to North Shore Bank! Enjoy every moment!

 

NORTH SHORE STARS

Three employees named Five Star Mortgage Professionals

Congratulations to Mortgage Loan Officers Robin Tegel and Susan Liedel and Senior Mortgage Lender Steve Luebke for once again having been awarded the Five Star Mortgage Professionals designation, a prestigious honor given to the top-rated mortgage professionals in a given market.

This is the 15th year in a row that Steve has been recognized and the fourth year for Susan and Robin. All three serve southeast Wisconsin markets for North Shore Bank with Robin out of the
Kenosha office at 5117 Green Bay Road, Susan out of the Racine office at 3911 North Main St., and Steve out of the Brookfield office at 15700 W. Bluemound Road.

“Earning recognition as a Five Star Mortgage Professional is a testament to the unwavering dedication these individuals demonstrate to our customers and communities every day,” said Mike Murphy, Vice President and Consumer Lending Manager. “It’s an honor and privilege to work alongside Robin, Susan, and Steve.”

Congratulations to Robin, Susan, and Steve!

 

COMMUNITY-MINDED

Weber named new Shorewood BID Board President

Shorewood Community Engagement Manager Shannon Weber is the new Board President for the Shorewood Business Improvement District. Shannon has been involved with the BID for more than five years and served as its vice president for the past three.

The Shorewood BID supports local businesses in the community and promotes and enhances the image of the business district. The BID’s notice of Shannon’s new role noted that she has been instrumental in organizing the Kids Roll bike races during the Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic, championing the North Shore Bank Shorewood Feast, and welcoming people at Winterfest. 

Shannon is excited about her new role. “I started showing up to BID meetings and sitting in the back of the room in 2018,” she said. “I found value in attending these meetings as it helped me learn more about what is going on in Shorewood, and it also helped me to get in front of key people in this community as well.”

In her new role, Shannon hopes to continue building on the BID’s strong foundation and grow relationships that make the community special. As she put it, she wants to “continue to show ways North Shore Bank and myself are here for this great community.”

Congratulations, Shannon!

 

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

Contact Center getting great response on post-chat surveys

The Contact Center turned on post-chat surveys late last month, and so far, the response from customers has been fantastic! After each live chat session, customers are offered the opportunity to complete a survey about their experiences. Vice President, Contact Center Manager Colleen Egan said the responses they’re receiving have been extremely positive.

She shared an example, highlighting just one outstanding response received from a customer after a chat interaction with Senior Contact Center Specialist Denis Hostettler: “Denis was awesome. I had a technical issue, and I didn’t need to be escalated. He understood my problem and communicated exactly what I needed to know. I wasn’t expecting a real human, let alone a real great agent. North Shore Bank wins again for awesome customer experience. Would totally recommend. Thank you, North Shore Bank, for exceptional experiences.”

Great job, Denis, and congratulations to the Contact Center for the great feedback they’re receiving!

 

COMMUNITY-MINDED

Commercial banking team hits Cranky Al’s for TMJ4 listening session

The Commercial Banking team visited North Shore Bank client Cranky Al’s doughnut shop in Wauwatosa, as it was featured in TMJ4’s “Let’s Talk Wauwatosa” listening session on March 19. The Milwaukee-based TV station is holding listening sessions at various communities throughout southeastern Wisconsin to give community residents the opportunity to share story ideas and other thoughts with TMJ4 reporters. 03425 Cranky Al’s has been a bank client since 2018.

Bank employees who visited during the listening session wore their bank shirts and were filmed walking down the block and buying doughnuts at the store. Coincidentally, they ran into another employee’s mother while at Cranky Al’s. Joan Zanskas, mom of Vice President, Commercial Credit Manager Dean Zanskas, saw the North Shore Bank shirts and took the opportunity to meet the team. 

Cheri Cicona-Trudell, Vice President, Treasury Solutions Sales Manager, said the team was pleased to support Cranky Al’s during TMJ4’s stop at the shop, which features doughnuts, coffee, and pizza.

“Cranky Al’s is dedicated to giving back to the community with sponsorships and donations to many organizations, including regular doughnut donations to our very own Ronald McDonald House,” she said. 

In addition to Cheri, Business Relationship Specialist Tyler Kebis and Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager Ben Hertel visited Cranky Al’s. 

 

 

SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

Congratulations to our service anniversaries for March 2025!

Congratulations to employees who are celebrating service anniversaries this month! 

20 years

• Stephanie Hallgren, BSA/AML Quality Control Specialist
• Kristin Monday, Accounting Operations Manager

10 years

• Vikki Dolezal, Retirement Plans Representative
• Melissa Mueller, Consumer Digital Banking Specialist

5 years

• Brad Kitt, Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Manager

 

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Photos of the Week for March 27, 2025

A borrower recently recognized Senior Residential Loan Specialist Lana Huebner with a thank you card and a bottle of champagne for her help in making a loan closing happen. Nice work, Lana!

The Contact Center on the 4th floor decorates this tree for every season. Here it is, all decked out for St. Patrick’s Day with gnome decorations and a sheep wearing shamrock glasses! 

 

What’s new with you? Share it with Shorelines!

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

Stand up when customers approach you. Shake their hand and offer them a seat whenever possible.

 

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Discover events and activities in and around your community

• Best Practices for Business Fraud Prevention and Being a Scam-Savvy Customer | Saturday, April 12 (11:00 AM) | North Shore Bank – Community Room | 4230 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI