Steve (top) and Ed.

Two North Shore Bank employees have been named Five Star Mortgage Professionals, an annual honor based on consumer and peer evaluations, along with other research.

AVP senior mortgage lender Steve Luebke received the Five Star designation for the 11th year in a row, and AVP senior mortgage loan originator Ed Hughes won for the ninth time.

While the Five Star Mortgage Professionals award does not come with any kind of prize, it signals to consumers that the honorees offer strong skills and top-notch customer service.

“This award gives me a lot more visibility in the real estate community,” Ed said. “It carries a lot of credibility and prestige, as winners do go through a rigorous approval process from peers and consumers. And that’s all anonymous, so you have to perform consistently.”

Steve noted that the Five Star award acts as its own incentive to perform as well as possible. “Being an 11-year winner, I am always aware of it, and every year I work hard at providing a high level of customer service so that I can continue to be eligible.”

He credited North Shore Bank with building a team that offers excellent service across the board. Ed added that it is also important for mortgage professionals to stay visible, work with multiple title companies, and acknowledge the contributions of everyone, including colleagues whose roles may not be front and center.

“As you build your brand in the industry, it’s expected that you’ll be a leader and the industry recognizes that,” Ed said.

“We could not be more proud of Steve and Ed for the continued honor of receiving the Five Star recognition,” VP consumer lending manager Chris Boland said. “Their commitment to excellence in everything they do shines through to their clients and colleagues alike.”

According to Five Star Professional, the organization responsible for handing out the awards, Steve is one out of only seven mortgage professionals (from a field of almost 3,000) to win for 11 years in Milwaukee, and Ed is one out of only nine.