After years balancing work and life, Johnson picks life
Last time we checked in with customer care specialist Kathy Johnson, she was celebrating 30 years in banking. Now she’s finally saying goodbye and will retire November 30.

“I will really miss my customers and co-workers,” she says. “My work was interesting, and I learned something new every day.”

After starting at First Savings in 1974, when she was just 16, Kathy joined the team at Badger Bank in 1987. North Shore Bank acquired Badger Bank in 1995. Since coming on board, she has worked in a number of roles, including managing the Fox Point branch. She says if she could travel back in time and give some advice to her younger self, it would be: “Accept change and go with the flow! Also, try to maintain a work-life balance — which I have never mastered. That’s part of the reason I’m retiring!” Read more about Kathy’s career and plans here!

WBA honors 14 employees with Lifetime Service Awards

Last week, the Wisconsin Bankers Association recognized 14 North Shore Bank employees with Lifetime Service Awards. This honor is reserved for people who have worked in the Wisconsin banking industry for over 30 years.

The award recipients are Mickey Adams, Diane Bahringer, Kerri Collins, Jessica Cranley, Tricia Cravillion, Lyneen Fischer, Connie Hagen, Jerry Harmann, Pat Ingelse, Joline Lazarski, Lauri Lunde, Ron Olson, Kathy Tetzlaff, and Beth Williams.

“We are incredibly proud to have so many employees recognized by the WBA for their long-standing commitment to both North Shore Bank and the vital work performed by the banking industry,” SVP HR/compliance Molly Schissler said. “It’s a testament to the bank and the industry that these employees have continued to serve their customers so well for so many years.” Read on to see photos from our honorees and see what they had to say.

Honor flight drive raises nearly $10,000 for veterans
A giant, heartfelt THANK YOU to all of the North Shore Bank employees — as well as any customers, family, or friends you shared the word with — for helping raise $9,690 for Wisconsin honor flights for American military veterans. We collected almost 100 donations, totaling $5,690, for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight and Old Glory Honor Flight, and as promised, the bank then matched $2,000 in donations for both organizations.

It costs these groups around $500 to send a veteran to visit the military memorials in Washington, D.C. In all, we raised enough money to cover honor flights for about 19 vets. Way to go! •••

Greendale accepting toys for tots

Greendale is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots through Friday, December 10. Run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, the 74-year-old nationwide program collects and distributes toys to children whose parents can’t afford them.

The branch has traditionally participated in the toy collection, but skipped it last year because of COVID-19. “Customers were walking in before we had the box up, asking if we were going to be doing it again,” assistant branch manager Sam Damman said. “So we decided we’d better!” •••

Gala raises over $200K to support Neighborhood House

North Shore Bank employees attended the Neighborhood House of Milwaukee’s 75th anniversary celebration on November 11. The bank was a bronze sponsor for the Inspiring Discovery gala and silent auction, which raised more than $200,000 for the nonprofit, whose wide range of programs support some of the city’s most under-served neighborhoods.

MLK Drive branch manager Angela Byrd, business relationship manager Cheri Cicona, business banking officer Audrey Sellers, universal banker Nazirah Tate, and teller supervisor Aisha Young attended the gala.

“I was very impressed to learn about the dedication of the staff and volunteers at Neighborhood House,” Audrey said. “What they do for the community directly impacts the lives of many people — truly a mission centered on creating opportunities, optimism and positive outcomes. The atmosphere at the gala was energetic, and there were good feelings of belonging. I really enjoyed it.” •••

Germantown makes customers feel like family
A customer sent the following letter about our Germantown branch:

I am writing this letter to inform your corporation of the excellent customer service we receive at the Germantown, Wisconsin branch.

Recently my husband and I received a text from Fiserv telling us that our bank card had been compromised. I had never heard of Fiserv so I drove to the Germantown branch (the branch we bank at) and the branch manager (Erica Hughes) and her staff went way above & beyond to rectify our problems. Erica took the time to go through our account step by step and we resolved the problem of the bank card.

I had another problem of a misplaced checkbook and Erica once again came to the rescue saving us a lot of time and heartache.

We used to bank at the branch on Silver Spring until you tore that down. We then started to go to the branch on 79th & Capitol Drive but ever since Germantown opened, we chose this as our branch.

Once again, the purpose of this letter is to commend your staff at this branch. Teller supervisor Tarvinder Kaur, along with Erica, have made us feel more like family than customers. They live up to your logo “The Bank of You.”

Well done, Germantown!

We also received a couple of great feedback cards from customers. “You have the most courteous and efficient and friendly employees,” reads one. The other says: “I absolutely adore the folks at the 57th & Forest Home location.” Nice work, everybody! •••

Earn $2,500 for CSC job referral
Get a $2,500 bonus if you successfully refer someone for a position in the Customer Support Center through the end of the year!

To qualify, you must currently be actively employed by North Shore Bank. All employees are eligible except senior executives, HR staff, and CSC managers if the referral is for a position they are responsible for. The referral must come in by Friday, December 31, 2021.

For your referral to qualify, the candidate must remain employed by North Shore Bank for 180 days, and both you and the candidate must be employed here on the payment disbursement date. The first half of a referral payment will be paid out after the new hire’s first 30 days, with the remaining $1,250 paid out after the 180 days are up. Get more information about our job referral program here! •••

We have endless distractions, but it’s OK to just be

Today we can follow events on the other side of the world, receive a medical diagnosis online, access millions of books with the tap of a finger. The downside is, we allow ourselves very little downtime. Try cutting back on the time you spend on your phone or online. See if a space opens up for something new.

“You don’t actually know a time or a culture until you discover the thoughts that its people can’t allow themselves to think.” —John Michael Greer, American author

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

IT’S OK to be bored. I don’t need to be constantly distracted. I can just be, for a minute. I can just be.

How did this meditation go for you? Share your experience at shorelines@northshorebank.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of A Mindful Day: 365 Ways to Live Life With Peace, Clarity, and an Open Heart, by David Dillard-Wright.

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

No fee on gift cards through end of December

Right on time for the holiday gift-giving season, North Shore Bank gift cards are available with no purchase fee through December 31. Accepted anywhere that takes Mastercard, the cards can be customized with exactly the amount you want to give. Grab a few at any of our branches, and remind your friends, family, and customers about North Shore Bank gift cards too! •••

Klare takes helm at Oak Creek
Oak Creek branch manager Tim Klare has over 25 years in management and sales and experience with both regional and community-focused financial institutions. “I’m absolutely a people person. I love having a team and am excited to help build everyone up for success,” he says. “Customers appreciate my deep-seated knowledge of both retail and commercial banking, and benefit from my strong network in the community.” When he isn’t at work, Tim enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter — currently a sophomore at UW Madison — and their extended family, and “embarking on epic mountain and road bike adventures.” •••

Franklin fetes Pawlak with shower

Franklin universal banker Kristen Pawlak’s colleagues surprised her with a baby shower on Monday, November 15. Helping celebrate were branch manager Jason Mermolia, teller Adriana Mora, Cindy Sandrone, MLO Nik Sendelbach, and Greendale assistant branch manager Sam Damman.

“I was very surprised, actually!” Kristen said. “When Sam was still my manager, I joked with her about ‘Don’t you dare…’ But it really was so sweet to see them all get together to plan the shower.” Congratulations, Kristen! •••