Janice Smits retires next week.

Sturgeon Bay East Universal Banker Janice Smits has decided that 20 is a magic number: She celebrated her 26th year with North Shore Bank in February and will retire on April 24.

Teller Clessie Blasier remembers the important role Janice played when Clessie started working for North Shore Bank in 1995. “Janice would tell me, ‘To help our customers, you need to get to know them.’

“She was right. I have seen how many customers ask for Janice, and if she isn’t here, they say they’ll come back later. Some of our customers appreciate her service so much, they send her flowers as a thank you.

“Janice has always been there for me,” Clessie adds in tribute to her longtime colleague. “When I needed help with something, she would take the time to show me. Thank you, Janice, for everything!”

Experience, training made Janice expert on elder finances
Janice started at North Shore Savings and Loan in Sturgeon Bay as a part-time teller and went on to hold positions as a full-time teller, personal banker, personal banker II for investments, service banker, and universal banker. Although she has considered Sturgeon Bay East her home branch, she has helped at a variety of North Region offices.

Because many of her branch’s customers are elderly and seasonal, she has acquired knowledge through bank training and night classes to help them with financial issues related to age.

“I consider her the IRA and investment queen of Sturgeon Bay,” says coworker and PB Tammy Hendrickson. Tammy adds, “Janice has been a mentor, coworker, and friend through my years here. I tell all my friends and family that she is my right arm and partner in crime, that I can’t image not having her by my side.

“And because she likes to cook, I will miss her sharing her favorite recipes with us. With all the extra time on her hands, maybe she will surprise us now and then with treats! I sincerely wish her all the best in her retirement.”

Knowledge will be missed by customers, staff
“We will truly miss Janice in the branch when she retires. She will take with her years of knowledge that her coworkers, customers and I will miss,” says AVP/Branch Manager Becky Kolstad.

“Daily she has customers that come in and ask for her, and since she started working part time, they come in and ask when she will be available.

“Janice has her customers’ best interest at heart and is always willing to give them her best advice. They appreciate her attention to detail and making sure things are done right the first time. Janice keeps herself very organized and knows exactly where to find a policy or procedure to back up her thought process,” Becky adds. “I still remember the day she started with the bank and being her trainer. I wish her well in her retirement and will miss her knowledge and expertise as a friend and a coworker.”