Despite curveballs, we are well positioned for future
Jay McKenna writes: It has been awhile since I’ve communicated broadly to all of you. As we have just wrapped up the midway point of our fiscal year, I thought now would be a good time to reconnect.

Our company continues to perform at a very high level on all fronts. Based on almost all metrics, we are meeting or beating targets in key areas such as customer service, sales/production, operations, and financial performance. This success is attributed to the efforts of each and every one of us coming to work every day with a sense of mission and purpose, despite the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the rest of Jay’s message now!

Merry Justin reflects on her many positive experiences
With husband Tom newly retired, Pewaukee teller Merry Justin decided that after almost 12 years at North Shore Bank, “it just seemed like a good time to go” for her too.

“Merry has always been a joy to work with. She has a great sense of humor and can brighten anyone’s day,” branch manager Anne Kagerah said. “Customers love to visit with her, and they will be missing her greatly. Merry has always been committed to giving great customer service and would work through any problem to the end. We’ll be missing her too!”

Merry talked to Shorelines about her career here and what comes next. Read on!

Baumann’s daughter figures out how to spend $1M

How does a middle schooler spend $1 million? Responsibly, at least in district manager Cristen Baumann’s house!

Cristen’s daughter Brianna, 13, recently completed an assignment for her seventh-grade career pathing and personal finance elective. For the project, each student had to decide what to do with a hypothetical $1 million inheritance from a relative. Buying a home and a car was required, as was determining the taxes on each purchase. All of the money had to be accounted for on a spreadsheet where the student also explained their reasoning.

Brianna said she chose this elective because she wanted to learn more about spending and saving, and to start exploring career possibilities and figuring out what kind of income she’d earn and how much a degree would cost.

The assignment taught her a lot, she said.

“I learned the difference between checking accounts and savings accounts. I also learned about taxes that are due when you buy things and why taxes are due,” Brianna said. “And I learned how fast you can spend $1 million if you are not careful!”

She ultimately bought a condo in Oklahoma, where home prices and property taxes are lower than in Wisconsin. “She did set aside some funds for emergencies, home repairs, retirement, and vacation,” Cristen said.

Brianna said she had a lot of fun looking at houses all over the country on Zillow and that her least favorite part of the assignment was all the math involved.

“After I turned in my assignment my mom asked me if the condo allows dogs — because I want at least four!” she said. “I forgot to check.”

Want to help your kid learn more about financial wellness? North Shore Bank has some great educational materials online in our Learning Center. You can find lessons on topics like teaching kids about money and teaching financial literacy at home, along with interactive exercises for teens and younger children. •••

For the love of animals, share pics of your pets
Don’t forget to share your pet for National Pet Week! Through Saturday, every time someone shares a photo of their animal buddy on social media and tags North Shore Bank, we are donating $1 to Wisconsin humane societies and zoos for this month’s “For the Love of Animals” Bank on Kindness campaign. Post those good boys and girls on your Facebook or Instagram and spread the word!

And let friends and family know they can donate to our animal-focused partners by texting “KINDNESS” to 77948 or clicking here. The bank is matching donations throughout the month, up to $500 per organization. •••

Employees show support for UPAF with chalk art

Corporate and Brookfield Square employees channeled their inner street artists on Tuesday in a sidewalk chalk-art contest as part of our employee giving drive for Milwaukee’s United Performing Arts Fund. Teller Raysha Marrero took first place, followed by runner-up team deposit operations supervisor Kristin Hoch and rep Vincent Hoch, and universal banker Erin Hunsberger in third.

“I just went on Pinterest for inspiration and saw the hand, remembered how much I enjoyed drawing hands, and decided to do that,” Raysha said. “I’ve been making art since I was little and throughout high school. It is something I still do as a hobby when I get the chance. I was just doing it for fun, but it is always nice to win sometimes!”

If you want to donate to UPAF, you can go here. Enter your work email address as your username and password UPAFNSB. Thank you for your support! •••

Customers stop in as Lake in the Hills closes down

A woman who has been a longtime customer of our Lake in the Hills branch stopped by the office with her daughter, to share their gratitude and drop off flowers in anticipation of the branch’s shuttering.

“They wanted to show thanks for all the help we’ve given them,” teller supervisor Blanca Wiley said. “They were sad to see the branch close, since they live across the street. But they said that since Teresa Wojciechowski and I were moving to McHenry, they were keeping their account. The daughter will bring her mom to the bank once a month to see us.”

The woman has banked with Illinois State Bank since 2000. “This is just one photo of the many customers who stopped in during our final week to show their appreciation,” branch manager Dee Patel said. •••

For just one minute, practice releasing confining beliefs

Our most common excuses for not doing something are “I don’t have enough time” or “I could never do that.” Practice letting go of those beliefs!

Try this meditation for one minute every day, or longer if you want to:

WHAT DO I GAIN by not taking the steps that could change my life? What thoughts and feelings hold me back?

This meditation was adapted from A Mindful Day: 365 Ways to Live Life With Peace, Clarity, and an Open Heart, by David Dillard-Wright. How did it go for you? Share your thoughts and feelings in Shorelines and you’ll be entered to win a copy of the book!

If you’d like a daily email reminder to do one minute of mindfulness, email us with the subject “Mindfulness reminder.” —Pat Ingelse, AVP and PMP •••

Promotions for April 2021
The following employees were promoted in April:

• Danica Graminske was promoted from Teller to Teller Supervisor at Mequon.
• Loretta Heath was promoted from Teller to Universal Banker at Sturgeon Bay East.
• Rachel Rasmussen was promoted from Teller to Secondary Market Specialist in Loan Administration.

Leave a comment to congratulate them!

Maifest offers “event in a box”
Our Germantown branch is partnering with the Deutschstadt Heritage Foundation for the village’s annual Maifest celebration. The traditional German festival celebrates the return of spring. Although the in-person festivities aren’t happening this year, you can celebrate at home with an “event in a box.” Orders must be placed by this Sunday, May 9. More information here. •••