Twelve employees join ranks of Digital Ambassadors
As technology evolves, North Shore Bank keeps evolving with it: Twelve more employees recently completed the bank’s Digital Ambassador program. The five-month training leaves participants with extensive knowledge of our digital tools, including Online and Mobile Banking, business online banking, digital wallets, and Zelle P2P payments.

“I learned about ACH, remote deposit capture, and the wire transfer module in more depth, and found out about a lot of neat benefits for our customers,” said Muskego universal banker Sara Speich, one of the recent graduates. “I feel more confident about customers asking me questions in regard to their business needs and our product benefits.”

To become a Digital Ambassador, program participants have to complete three self-directed assignments, participate in three webinars, and provide training suggestions and feedback for future participants. Digital Ambassadors are expected to help test and roll out new products and enhancements, be a part of future Digital Ambassador roundtable discussions, share customer feedback about digital tools, and be active about referring those tools to our customers.

Along with Sara, the new Digital Ambassadors are Forest Home universal banker Kim Dane, Southridge teller supervisor Kelly Doucette, Kenosha South universal banker LaShana English, video teller Erika Garcia, Ashwaubenon teller Sam Hall, Green Bay West universal banker Leigha Johnston, Grafton universal banker Steve Kamke, Brookfield Capitol universal banker Casey Kopacz, traveling universal banker DeDe Krause, video teller Maria Navarro, and Northland teller Fabio Zane.

“We had a larger group this time, which created more dialogue and questions. They took great notes and weren’t afraid to ask questions during our calls,” said VP training and internal communications manager Milene Below, who facilitated the program. “I’m proud of them and know they will use what they learned to help customers and their team members.”

Erika said it was a relief to learn that everybody — customers and employees — has a lot of the same issues with technology. “And also to learn that mostly, everything is fixable!” she added. The program also sparked her interest in digital marketing.

“I’m excited to teach customers who are not tech-savvy how to use and navigate the bank’s electronic services,” Kelly said. “It is awesome to see customers get more knowledge and control over their financial bottom line.”

“I’m so impressed with all the hard work the team put in for each of their modules,” said VP branch sales manager Craig Witz. “They asked great questions and really grew in knowledge through the course of the process. Many thanks to each of them — and to their branch teams for allowing them time to do their homework!”

This is the bank’s third cohort of Digital Ambassadors. The program began in 2020, and a second group completed the training in 2021. •••

Top-performing managers enjoy dinner at museum

North Shore Bank celebrated our retail rock stars at the midpoint of the year on Tuesday, June 21, with a special event, treating the top-performing branch managers across all of our markets to a special evening at Milwaukee’s Villa Terrace Museum overlooking Lake Michigan.

“Earning top performer status is an elite mark,” said VP branch sales manager Craig Witz. “To qualify, a branch had to excel in all of our production categories. Our winning managers brought great results to the table — and are great representatives of the ‘Bank of You’ brand as well.”

Attendees included first-time top performers Lisa Brooks, Deb Cumming, and Shannon Weber, as well as returning faces Maria Baumer, Robin Callis, Lacee Kalepp, Becky Kolstad, and Dee Patel. SVP retail banking Sue Doyle, district managers Brian Bozek and Kerri Collins, and Craig were there too. VP branch operations manager Tricia Cravillion and DMs Cristen Baumann and Lauri Lunde were unable to make it.

Along with hors d’oeuvres, they enjoyed a chance to explore the grounds and historic mansion, originally built by the founders of the A.O. Smith Corporation. Then came a meal featuring many specialty courses of authentic Greek food — the tilapia and eggplant were among the highlights. •••

Pewaukee branch offers lot for public parking
On Monday, June 13, our Pewaukee branch opened its parking lot to the public to help address parking needs downtown. The new metered parking system lets members of the wider public pay for spots by using their smartphones to scan a QR code, while bank customers can enter a code to continue to park for free.

Profits from the 29 parking spots will go to Pewaukee-area nonprofits.

“Many beachgoers are scanning the QR code and making charitable contributions while they go and enjoy the lake,” branch manager Anne Kagerah said, adding that a few bank customers have asked for assistance with the code to park for free. “I’ve noticed that we seem to have more room for our own customers to park now, as this is a highly visited area of Pewaukee, and parking can be limited.”

The Pewaukee Planning Commission approved plans to open the lot, which is adjacent to the branch, for public parking in November. •••

Placing blame doesn’t help — can you let it go?

We tend to believe our own sad stories about our lives, often unconsciously. In this way, we cast ourselves as frequent victims in our own dramas. Mindfulness can help us become aware of the thought patterns that keep us susceptible to those negative beliefs, rather than claiming our power and responsibility. Who are you blaming for the problems in your life? Placing blame is unproductive and doesn’t improve the situation. Keep a space open there, and invite other possibilities into your life.

Try this meditation for one minute today, or longer if you wish:

IDENTIFY a negative story you tell yourself about your life. Can you let go of that victim narrative, or at least loosen it around the edges?

Mindfulness is awareness that arises through
paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.
It’s about knowing what is on your mind.
—Jon Kabat-Zinn

How did this meditation go for you? Share your experience with your fellow North Shore Bank employees at shorelines@northshorebank.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Mindfulness in Plain English, by Bhante Gunaratana.

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

Shorewood cycling, beach party in Pewaukee, and more
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.

Looking for more to do? Here are suggestions from the bank’s event calendar:

The Shorewood 18th Annual Criterium Classic Tour of America’s Dairyland will bring America’s largest cycling event to town once again tomorrow, Friday, June 24. Along with the main race, there will be kids’ events and a block party. More info here.

The Pewaukee Kiwanis Beach Party and Lake Country Clean Water Festival is this Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25. North Shore Bank is sponsoring main-stage band Block Party tomorrow night, and there will be a pancake breakfast Saturday and lots more fun, too. More info here.

Our “Kindness Rocks!” event at the North End branch will be Saturday, June 25. Decorate rocks with inspirational messages to take or leave for another to find. Participants can scatter the rocks across the city to spread positivity and kindness, or add them to the bank’s #BankOnKindness Rock Garden, as part of the growing trend of #WiRocks. More info here.

And our next You Can happy hour will be Thursday, July 14, at the Old Germantown restaurant. This casual event will feature light bites and a sampling of craft beer tastings — and with each new sample, the North Shore Bank team will share a tip or trick to help attendees craft their financial plans for the future. Featured speakers will be Germantown community engagement manager Erica Hughes, investment consultant Andrew Eichel, and mortgage loan originator Rick Woldt, as well as real estate agent Jennifer Zoeller. Nonalcoholic beverages will also be available. More info here. •••