Annual SOAR Together award nominations now open!
Have a colleague who’s done a truly outstanding job of making our customer promises a reality, or who does outstanding work in their community? Recognize them with a nomination for North Shore Bank’s annual SOAR Together awards.

Go here for details on the three award nomination categories. Winners will each receive $500 and a SOAR Together recognition plaque. You can see our past winners at the link under “Annual Awards Overview.”

All employees are eligible to win these awards, so nominate someone today! The nomination period will close Friday, March 13. A nominating committee will then review the entries and select one winner for each award. Winners will be announced in April.

Submissions must clearly and completely describe why the nominee is deserving of this recognition. Please be sure your comments provide the committee with a full and accurate understanding of the reasons for your nomination. We look forward to reading your submissions! —Molly Schissler, SVP, Human Resources & Compliance •••

Employees support heart health with red clothes

North Shore Bank employees showed their support for the fight against heart disease last Friday, February 7, by wearing red to mark American Heart Month. Our branches and Corporate office celebrate the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day every year. Here are a few pictures from this year.

Conversation at Howard leads to multiple new accounts
VP branch sales manager Craig Witz passes along these kudos for the team at Howard-Suamico:

Joe opened a checking account in Howard last month after making his tax payment here. Teller Roberta Strazishar talked with him about the special opportunities we offer for taxpayers, and he took advantage of our checking promo. He met with universal banker Brooke Hillsberg, and the new account conversation expanded to a borrowing/debt discussion, in which Brooke learned he has a mortgage with Wells Fargo. Brooke referred Joe to assistant branch manager Emmeline Knight-Guzmán to talk further about lending needs and goals, which then resulted in a referral to mortgage loan originator Eric Van Den Busch for a mortgage refinance opportunity. Eric got in touch with Joe very quickly and met in person to begin the refinancing process. They are now almost through the process of refinancing him to a 15-year mortgage.

When Joe came to the branch this morning, he recognized Roberta and said to her, “I was in here to make my tax payment and you were the one who helped me. I now have a checking account here and am going to be able to pay my mortgage off in 15 years, all because I paid my taxes here and you took the time to talk to me about your bank. I am telling everyone I know about how you helped me. Thank you.”

He also shared that, just within the last month, he referred three new checking accounts to us: his son, his girlfriend, and a co-worker. He even said he’s been using the headset system at his work to encourage his coworkers to come to North Shore Bank!

Congrats to area branch manager Katie Presser, Emm, Roberta, Brooke, and Eric! Thank you for having transformational conversations with our customers! •••

Get a low fixed rate on a HELOC five years or more

There are so many good reasons to have a home equity line of credit — a HELOC offers extra security for emergencies, debt consolidation, and important projects or purchases. And right now, homeowners can lock in a low fixed rate on a North Shore Bank HELOC for five years or more!

You or another homeowner you know can lock in an APR of 3.79 percent for five years, 3.99 percent for six years, or 4.29 percent for seven years. That’s compared to our nonpromotional rate of 5.25 percent.

The application process is easy, and you can apply online anytime! Get a great HELOC rate now from the Bank of You! •••

Share your stories for Black History Month 2020
February is Black History Month, and if you celebrate, Shorelines wants to hear from you! This month, we will feature stories and pictures we receive from employees in celebration of black history and heritage.

Here’s what to do:

• Tell us how you and your family and friends celebrate black heritage. Email the information to shorelines@northshorebank.com.
• Include photos if possible! Photos can be emailed to shorelines@northshorebank.com or texted to 608-318-3348. Please include IDs of anyone in your photos.
• Stories and photos will be accepted through Monday, February 24.

Email shorelines@northshorebank.com with any questions! We are looking forward to hearing your stories. •••

Service Anniversaries for February 2020
The following employees celebrate a milestone anniversary with North Shore Bank this month.

30 years
Kerri Collins, District Manager

15 years
Loretta Bondi, Treasury Solutions Team Leader

5 years
Nancy Arciga, Community Loan Originator

Leave a comment to congratulate them!

Jardina welcomes new baby

Westgate teller Patti Jardina welcomed daughter Cara in January. She was born at 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and 18 inches long. “Mom and baby are doing great!” branch manager Julie Goebel reports. Congratulations, Patti! •••

What’s going on: Funny valentines and roller derby
What’s going on with you? If you or someone in your family has a special event — a concert, show, sporting or charity event, or another important moment — send the details to shorelines@northshorebank.com. We’ll include information about select events to let your colleagues know about all the cool stuff happening with the North Shore Bank team.

My Funny Valentine
February 13, 7:30pm, Waukesha Civic Theatre
Customer assistance rep Danny Slattery appears in this cabaret show taking a look at the lighter side of love. Details and tickets at waukeshacivictheatre.org.

Anti-Valentine’s Day Roller Derby Bout
February 22, doors open 6pm, Memorial Hall, Racine
The Root River Rollers — featuring deposit services rep Mila Larson — take on the Brew City Bruisers. Tickets to this family-friendly event are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and kids 10 and under, and free for kids 2 and under. More information here. •••