COMMUNITY-MINDED

Bank partners with MCSC on innovative housing effort

North Shore Bank has just embarked on an innovative partnership with Milwaukee Community Service Corps (MCSC) that will create new housing in Cudahy and provide valuable job training for local young adults.

Construction began on a new home at 3625 East Somers Ave. in Cudahy on April 7. But this isn’t just any home build! North Shore Bank is providing an interest-free construction loan that enables MCSC to use the project as a hands-on training opportunity for Milwaukee’s young adults and those who are unemployed or underemployed. 03237 MCSC provides education, life skills, and job training opportunities for at-risk young adults that allow them to earn wages while improving the community and environment. 

“This is a unique partnership where really everyone wins,” said Mike Kellman, Senior Vice President, Lending, who spoke at the groundbreaking. “As a community bank, we get to support a wonderful community organization in its mission, MCSC members gain valuable work experience propelling future trade careers, the lucky buyer will receive a new home of the highest quality in a great community, and MCSC will have additional funds to do even more good.”

Here’s how it works:

• North Shore Bank is providing the no-interest funding to build the house.
• MCSC is contracting with home building crews who will train and work alongside MCSC members.
• The completed home will be sold at fair market value.
• The proceeds will repay the loan and all remaining funds will be donated to MCSC to further support its mission.

The home itself will be approximately 1,700 square feet with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an unfinished basement. Several local contractors—including DJs Renovations Unlimited, Bliffert Lumber, and Current Electric—are offering their services at a discount to support this worthwhile cause.

While North Shore Bank has been proud partners with MCSC for over 10 years, this is our first joint home building project together. What makes this particularly special is that, according to Mike, he’s not aware of another homebuilding and training partnership quite like this in the entire country!

“This project is an incredible opportunity for our corps members to gain hands-on construction experience while developing valuable skills that will not only shape their careers but also empower them for a lifetime,” Mike Consiglio, MCSC’s Executive Director, said.

Construction is expected to continue through summer 2025. It’s collaborations like these that truly reflect our values as a community bank dedicated to uplifting those around us!

 

SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

New challenges inspire Mary Ott’s 25-year career with bank

The banking landscape is always changing, which has worked well for Mary Ott in her 25 years with North Shore Bank.  Her dedication, versatility, and positive approach to new challenges have provided her with many opportunities over the years, for which she is grateful.

Mary made her most recent shift in October 2022, taking the role of Product Manager in the Marketing Department. Prior to that, she served as Marketing Manager. She embraces the evolution of her role with the department.

“The fact that my job changes is what I like the most—the change of roles, learning something new, pushing yourself,” Mary said, adding that transitioning from a more creative role like Marketing Manager to Product Manager allows her to use her analytical, tactical skills. She enjoys the strategic aspects of her role and the opportunity to build relationships with new coworkers throughout the bank.

Mary credits the support of her coworkers and colleagues for making it easy to continue to evolve her career. Several of her Marketing team colleagues—Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications Manager Kate Knox and Digital Solutions Manager Tim Gluth—have been beside her during her decades with the bank.

And while Mary’s career has grown and changed over the years, so has her personal life. “I got married and had three kids during these 25 years,” she said. “My job and my family parallel each other in a good way.”

Vice President, Marketing Kate Johnson congratulated Mary on her 25 years and offered high praise for her many contributions: “Mary is an invaluable part of the Marketing team. In my time working with her, I’ve seen firsthand how her expertise and ability to get things done make a real impact. Her colleagues trust and appreciate her, and it’s clear that her contributions over the years have made a lasting difference.”

Mary’s collaborative spirit is appreciated by many across the bank. Vice President, Banking Services and Operations Jude Lengell noted her “can-do approach on project deadlines,” and Vice President, Loan and Treasury Operations Nicole Daniels values Mary’s positive attitude. “Mary is always ready to assist in any lending activities we may have going on with innovative ideas to assist in completing our goals,” Nicole said. 

Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Sue Doyle said it has been a pleasure to work with Mary over the years and to see her advance. “She is a vital part of the Marketing team and applies a dedicated and passionate attitude to everything she does,” Sue said.

Looking to the future, Mary is excited about the bank’s continued digital expansion and product development. “We’re always looking for ways to stay competitive—with a better product mix and better digital tools—that bring more services to customers,” she said.

And she recommends that others at the bank continue to push themselves to keep learning and growing. Speaking from experience, she said, “Where you are now might not be where you end up.”

Congratulations on 25 successful years, Mary! 

 

NORTH SHORE STARS

Luebke named WMBA Mortgage Banker of the Year at gala

Senior Mortgage Lender Steve Luebke won Mortgage Banker of the Year at the Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association Best in Business Awards Gala on April 3. 

VP, Consumer Lending Manager Mike Murphy said the award recognizes the exceptional work of individual employees and their commitment to the mortgage lending industry. 

Steve said he was honored to receive this award. “When I started at North Shore Bank, I was encouraged to participate in the WMBA. Over the years, I have met many peers from other mortgage companies and had many great experiences and conversations with them,” he said. “Being an advocate for mortgage banking has been very rewarding.”

Steve is a former president of the Milwaukee Chapter of the WMBA. Through the organization, he said he has learned many skills he uses in his job as a loan officer here at North Shore Bank.

He is a current WMBA Board member and chair of the WMBA Legislative Committee.

Congratulations, Steve! 

 

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Muskego branch shines at Chamber of Commerce gala

Community Engagement Manager Stephanie Ruiz, her husband, Rafael, and Personal Banker Sara Speich represented North Shore Bank at the recent Muskego Chamber of Commerce 2025 Awards Gala. This year’s theme, “Steaming Forward” highlighted the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Music in the community and among local students. North Shore Bank was a silver sponsor of the event.

The evening was filled with live music and exciting activities, including a silent auction, raffles, a wine pull, and a 50/50 raffle. The 50/50 raffle winner generously donated their winnings back to the event!

North Shore Bank was nominated for the Muskego Business of the Year award for the second year in a row. While DJ’s Lawn Sprinklers took home the trophy this time, Stephanie is dedicated to bringing it home for North Shore Bank. “I’m coming for them next year!” she said. 

The evening also celebrated educational excellence through the Muskego Chamber’s Job & Career Readiness Scholarship. As part of her role on the Education and Mentoring Council, Stephanie helped select this year’s deserving winner, Muskego High School senior Greta Gieger.

 

Stephanie’s community-building efforts extended beyond the event itself. She recently welcomed one of our business customers to the Chamber and invited him to join the festivities.

Her networking paid off—quite literally for her guest—when he won the meat raffle, taking home an entire cooler of meat and a premium bottle of bourbon!

Thank you, Stephanie and Sara, for your involvement with this event and the community!

 

 

PROMOTIONS

Congratulations to our March 2025 promotions!

Congratulations to all who received promotions in March! 

• Kerryann Goetsch was promoted from teller to associate banker at the Brookfield Square branch.
• Scott Pagliaroni was promoted from help desk/telecom tech to help desk manager in Information Systems.
• Quinn Wheeler was promoted from associate banker to lead teller at the North End branch.
• Raysha Marrero Camacho was promoted from lead teller to mortgage servicing specialist. 
• Erica Johnson was promoted from checking services manager to deposit operations manager-checking/ACH/savings.
• Karen Pofahl was promoted from teller to lead teller at the Brookfield Square branch. 
• Lisa Prechel was promoted from lead teller to district operations specialist.

 

AROUND THE BANK

Celebrate Family Banking Month: Empowering the next generation

Family Banking Month officially kicked off on April 1, and we’re excited to spotlight the many ways we support financial education for kids of all ages. From first piggy banks to first debit cards, our family-friendly banking options are designed to help children—and their parents—build strong financial habits that last a lifetime.

Whether parents are introducing their little ones to saving basics or giving teens more financial independence, we offer a range of tools and accounts to make learning about money fun and meaningful:

Accounts & Services for All Ages

• Seymour Savings – A fun, no-minimum-balance savings account for customers under 21.
• Greenlight Debit Cards – For up to 5 kids per family, Greenlight teaches real-world money management in a hands-on, engaging way.
• Student Checking – Our most popular option for youth 13+, offering financial freedom with no monthly fees or minimum balance.

Helping Families Teach Smart Money Habits 

We also provide resources to help parents and kids along their financial journey:

• Interactive Banzai Courses for kids 8–18
• Printable Seymour Savings coloring sheets
• Coaches and tools like the 50/30/20 Rule and the 3 Jar Allowance
• Tips on teaching financial literacy at home

Let’s continue to inspire financial confidence in our future generations. Thanks for helping families bank their best lives with us!

 

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

You cannot ACTIVELY LISTEN to a customer and do other tasks. You need to stop what you’re doing in order to give them your full attention.

 

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