McHenry area manager Dee Patel received a really grateful email from a very happy customer, after helping get a student checking account set up:

Dee Patel

I wanted to reach out to you about how impressed I am with your employee Dee at the McHenry location.

She went above and beyond for us this Saturday by reaching out to me to remind us about setting up an account for my daughter, so my daughter could benefit from the $50 bonus. Dee is great with the kids. She explains the process of opening an account and how to manage it in a way that they understand. Also, she stayed late to help answer my questions. She was very friendly, patient, and did not make me feel rushed even though I know we were keeping her from leaving at her scheduled time.

We have worked with her in the past, and on every occasion she has always been very helpful and friendly.

My husband and I have been customers of North Shore Bank for several years, and we plan to continue with that due to those types of experiences we have had with your organization.

“What an experience Dee provided to this family,” district manager Brian Bozek said.

The first conversation with this customer took place in June, Dee said. “They were interested, but due to summer activities, they could not find the time to come in. We reminded her a few times between June and July, but were unable to set up an appointment.”

On July 30, the final day of the $50 promotion, Dee called the customer with a final reminder about the promotion, letting her know that even though it was Saturday, North Shore Bank would make time and work around her schedule. The customer said she and her daughter were coming in.

“She was very appreciative that we called her on the final day,” Dee said. “I feel it is very important to go that extra mile — it’s what differentiates us from our competitors. Creating strong bonds with our customers leads to long-term relationships.”