Wisconsin heroes looking for new homes now have a friend in North Shore Bank, with this week’s launch of our Hero Lending Program, which offers affordable mortgages to qualifying first responders, healthcare and emergency workers, educators, and military personnel.

The housing market is especially tight right now, and the purpose of the program is to give these workers — who have made vital contributions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — a better chance of buying homes. The Hero Lending Program offers a set interest rate of 2.99 percent and requires a down payment of only 2.99 percent of the purchase price. The down payment can be a gift.

“We saw through the pandemic that heroes come in all forms, and we wanted to create a low-interest, low–down payment program that would help them,” vice president consumer lending manager Chris Boland said. “We’re hoping this program can help our heroes get into the home of their choice.”

To qualify, a homebuyer must work at a medical care facility, fire department, public or private educational institution, or federal, state, or local law enforcement agency. Nurses, EMTs and paramedics, and active or former military personnel also qualify.

As with all of our lending services, applicants do need to meet underwriting qualifications. To get preapproved or learn more, visit northshorebank.com/HEROES.