It’s official! North Shore Bank named Top Workplace
While delays related to COVID-19 mean we’ve had to wait to make our announcement public, we want to finally toot our own horn. As outlined in a previous issue of Shorelines: For the eighth time, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has named North Shore Bank one of southeast Wisconsin’s Top Workplaces. The official announcement will appear in a special section of the newspaper this Sunday, July 26.
We are extremely proud of this recognition, which comes directly from you, our employees. We can all take pride in working for a Top Workplace, because that is a direct reflection of your contributions every day. As we’ve seen over the past several months especially, your hard work and commitment to our customers — and to each other — continue to make us a great place to work each day. Thank you! —Molly Schissler, SVP, Human Resources & Compliance •••
Northside supplies quarters to laundromat in need
Cathy and Lisa with Jim Wuerker when he came into Northside to pick up quarters for his laundromat.
Some nice news from Northside: The branch had an abundance of quarters thanks to North Shore Bank’s free coin-counting promotion, so when assistant branch manager Cathy Straka read in the Journal Times that the nationwide coin shortage was causing trouble for local business Quarry Laundromat, she reached out to owner Jim Wuerker.
Quarry is not a North Shore Bank customer, but “we are here for everyone,” said branch manager Lisa Brooks. When Cathy offered to stock him up on quarters, Jim said he was almost ready to cry because he was so appreciative.
He even contacted the Journal Times again to let the paper know that North Shore Bank and other members of the community had stepped up to help. In a story published yesterday, he said again that tears came to his eyes when he got the call.
“Due to COVID, we kept a distance when he came in, but he said if he could, he would hug us all,” Lisa said. “He said we have the right idea as a bank about how to really care for people in the community.” •••
Drive-in movie attracts around 20 West Allis families
The Recreation & Community Services Department put together this collage of photos of families having fun at the movie night as a token of appreciation.
The West Allis branch helped sponsor the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation & Community Services Department’s first-ever Drive-In Movie Night on July 10 at Irving Elementary School. About 20 families showed up to enjoy some socially distanced entertainment. “We received a great amount of thanks from the families that attended and even more feedback that they wish for us to do this every month!” recreation program manager Amanda told branch manager Trenise Watson. The next movie night will be August 7. •••
Enjoy My Cash Back rewards with NSB’s debit card
Here’s a nice reminder: When you shop with your North Shore Bank debit card, you can earn My Cash Back Rewards.
To access these rewards, just log in to Online Banking, select the My Cash Back Rewards offer you want to activate, and then shop with the selected merchant using your North Shore Bank debit card. Your rewards will be deposited directly into your checking account at the end of the month following redemption.
Get rewards from merchants where you already shop, and choose which offers interest you most! For more information, visit our website. •••
Germantown branch opens with promotions, food drive
Our new Germantown branch opened its doors this week, and there’s a lot going on there!
To celebrate National Drive-Thru Day, the first 50 cars through the branch’s drive-up lane tomorrow, July 24, will each receive a $5 gift certificate for Robert’s Frozen Custard.
Next Thursday, July 30, anyone who visits the branch between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. will receive a free Buddha’s BBQ sandwich (while supplies last).
And through the end of August, the branch is collecting canned food and monetary donations for the St. Boniface/St. Gabriel Food Pantry. The branch will match up to $500 in donations. •••
Doyle talks coins, Kellman discusses housing
North Shore Bank is in the news! The Wisconsin Bankers Association talked to SVP retail banking Sue Doyle last week for a story about the nationwide coin shortage. Sue spoke about North Shore’s free coin-counting promotion, noting the bank’s success with this initiative and with coin-counting drives in the past, due to our branches’ strong connections to their communities.
And the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talked to SVP consumer credit sales Mike Kellman for a story this week about the Milwaukee-area housing market, which is relatively strong, given the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that it’s a seller’s market right now, with a tight inventory and homes “selling with multiple offers in a day or two from listing in many cases.” •••
Patel brings experience in banking, business to ISB
Dee Patel is the new manager at McHenry and Lake in the Hills.
New McHenry and Lake in the Hills area branch manager Dipmala Patel was born in India and moved to Illinois with her family when she was 9. She brings 10 years of banking experience and 15 years as a business owner to her new position.
“I owned three sandwich shops for nine years, and I am a co-owner, with my husband, of an automotive repair shop,” Dee says. “Both businesses are completely different, but management and operations skills carry over from business to business and in banking — i.e., listening, communication, understanding internal and external clients’ needs, and providing appropriate solutions.” As a manager, she says, it’s important to her to be a strong trainer and coach, so that her team can take ownership of their work with her guidance.
When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her family, cooking (“My favorite thing to cook is chimichangas”), and traveling to tropical destinations. “I like the seasonal changes the Midwest has to offer, but I hate driving in the snow,” Dee says. But, she adds, “I can’t imagine living anywhere other than Illinois.” •••
New Hires for July 23
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.
Mortgage loan originator trainee Jordan Daul grew up in Pewaukee and now lives in Butler. He previously worked as a regional sales representative for a company that designed and supplied pre-cast concrete equipment to cemeteries. “I’m pretty good at quoting movies,” he says. “I store a bunch of useless information like that in my head, ready to use when the moment presents itself. My go-to shows and movies that I quote the most are Seinfeld, Hoosiers, Talladega Nights, and Tommy Boy.”
McHenry teller supervisor Annette Stephens Dixon is originally from Jamaica, but has lived in Beach Park, Illinois, for over 13 years. She worked at First Midwest Bank for more than 11 years. “I love going to comedy shows and to summer concerts,” she says. “I consider myself an outgoing person. I can be very funny at times. I like spending time with my family and enjoy going on road trips with my kids.”
Green Bay East universal banker Brenda Sweet is originally from Door County but has lived off and on in Indiana for the last 25-plus years. She spent the last 14 years working as a lead teller for Fifth Third Bank in Bloomington. “I am returning to the ‘glory land’ now, as my kids are off to college and I am wanting to be closer to my family,” she says. Brenda lived in Japan in the early ’90s. ” I got to see the Eagles and Eric Clapton over there while they were on tour. Great music and great times!”
Green Bay East teller Pablo Torres Giron moved to the Green Bay area from Guatemala when he was 4. He is majoring in business administration at UW-Green Bay and also waits tables. “I also work on campus as an ambassador, giving tours to prospective students,” he says. “And I love snowboarding when I get the chance!” •••
What’s going on: Get ready to jam on Janesville
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.
Milwaukee Business Journal Power Breakfast
Friday, July 24, 8 a.m., online
Join North Shore Bank and area business leaders for this virtual event, where Marcus Theatres president and CEO Greg Marcus will discuss how his company has been impacted by COVID-19 and how his operations have evolved during the pandemic. More information here.
Jammin’ on Janesville
Friday, August 7, 5-9 p.m., Janesville Road, Muskego
Activities, food, beverages, and live music at businesses along Janesville Road. Vendor family area located along the front of the Pick ‘n Save and North Shore Bank parking lots. More information here.
ChalkFest
Saturday, August 8, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Green Bay Kroc Center
Now in its third year, the daylong festival features local and regional chalk artists at work, food trucks, art and craft vendors, live music, and children’s activities. Watch as chalk artists complete their work over several hours, and vote to determine the People’s Choice winner. More information here.
North Shore Bank ‘In It to Win It’ Raffle
Wednesdays through September 9, online
Tickets are $10 each, and Positively Pewaukee will hold a drawing every Tuesday at 7 p.m. You may purchase as many tickets as you want every week for a chance to win one large prize from a local business. More information here. •••