EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Employees help make Fox Cities Kidz Expo a huge success

The 7th annual Fox Cities Kidz Expo is in the books! North Shore Bank sponsored the highly anticipated free event, which featured interactive exhibits, engaging activities, and educational experiences for kids and families throughout the Appleton area. Organizers of the event haven’t released attendance figures yet, but they say it’s grown every year. 

This year’s theme was “Growing Together,” encouraging families to connect, learn, and play together to foster growth and development for children while strengthening family bonds. 

“We had a great turnout of North Shore Bank employees to make the day a huge success!” said Community Engagement Manager Lacee Kalepp. “It was a sea of green with thousands of community members carrying their reusable North Shore Bank tote bags.”

More than 70 booths were set up at the event. Our North Shore Bank booth featured games and other fun things for families, including the chance to dance with Seymour!

Employees interacting with guests at Kidz Expo included Lacee, Menasha Teller Jenny Isenhower, Northland Lead Teller Patt Kox, Menasha Lead Teller Dan Timko, Northland Teller Luis Vargas, Menasha Assistant Branch Manager Jose Martinez, Teller-Video Center Julie Schwalbach, Senior Contact Center Specialist Kari Tuyls (and her son, Max), Allouez Assistant Branch Manager Aubrey Abrahamson, and BSA/AML Specialist Noah Isenhower. Many of the employees who helped out really love the event, and sign up every year!

Aubrey loves working at Kidz Expo so much, she emceed the North Shore Bank stage for the first three of the four years she’s helped out! “I enjoy attending the event to see all the kids who come through, they get so excited to play the games we have, color the coloring pages and take polaroid pictures. So many of them have never seen a Polaroid before so watching their faces as the picture develops is priceless,” she said. “I also love the chance to talk to the parents about our family banking options and how we can help them teach their kids healthy financial practices.”

Patt has helped out for the past three years. “It is fun to see the kids’ reaction to the games and to Seymour,” she said. “I would always encourage anyone to volunteer. Being together outside of work lets us see a different side of the people we work with.”

Dan also has participated for three years, dressing up as Seymour each time. “The Seymour outfit is HOT!” he said, but the reaction he gets from the kids is worth it. “Most kids try a high-five attempt, others are unsure what to think. The cutest ones are the ones that want a hug.”

Dan said he appreciates that this is a free event for families, and that it’s a great way to give back to the community. 

Thank you to all of the employees who helped to make this event a success! 

 

BANK ON KINDNESS

North Shore Bank Climbers conquer stairs for a worthy cause

A fantastic North Shore Bank team laced up their sneakers and conquered the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb on Saturday, March 1 at 411 East Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, showing that our commitment to community extends well beyond banking hours.

The dedicated group of six climbers tackled the challenging stair climb, raising an impressive $1,200 to support the American Lung Association’s mission to improve lung health and prevent lung disease. This longstanding tradition has become a favorite way for our team members to give back, with some participants climbing to the top for a decade or more.

This year’s North Shore Bank Climbers included a great cross-departmental team: Deposit Operations Team Lead Kristin Hoch, Vice President, Assistant Controller Ann Marie Krecak, Senior Deposit Operations Specialist Carrie Feiker, Chief HR Officer Molly Schissler, Deposit Operations Representative Liz White, and Molly’s husband, Jeff Schissler, who joined in the bank’s community spirit.

For Molly and Jeff, the day started bright and early with the “power hour” climb at 7 a.m., challenging participants to make as many trips to the top as possible within 60 minutes. Despite operating on just an hour of sleep, Molly impressively completed two full climbs, while Jeff powered through three ascents in under 45 minutes!

The team thanks everyone who donated to support their efforts. Your generosity helps fund vital research, education, and advocacy for those affected by lung disease, which includes some people who are close to Ann Marie. “I support the American Lung Association because of several friends and family members who have struggled with emphysema, lung cancer, and asthma. My husband had issues after being hospitalized with Covid complications,” she said. “I support all the research and advocacy that the American Lung Association does.”

The team is already looking forward to next year’s climb. “It is so much more fun than someone might imagine. I hope more North Shore Bank employees will join us next year!” Carrie said. 

Way to go, North Shore Bank Climbers!

 

SENIOR LEADER SHOWCASE

New CIO shares vision on tech trends in banking industry

In January, Dana Scherff was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, succeeding Dean Trout. Dana, a longtime employee, celebrated 20 years with North Shore Bank in September. She started as a consultant and was ultimately hired as an Application Development Manager. Prior to this position, Dana worked closely with Dean as Vice President, Information Systems.

The following is a lightly edited interview with Dana about technology’s role in banking today, her priorities for her first year in her new role, her time at North Shore Bank and more. 

What are the technology trends shaping the banking industry today?

There’s quite a bit of new and continually changing technology in the banking industry. We need to keep a pulse on both sides of the business: what technologies our customers want to improve their experience and retain engagement and what technologies our employees need to service our customers as effectively and efficiently as possible. 

The technology getting the most buzz today is artificial intelligence (AI). For customers, AI can be used to present personalized offers, assist customers with routine inquiries, anticipate customer needs and potential issues then provide proactive solutions, and help identify and prevent fraud on their accounts, to name a few. For bank employees and the operation of the bank, AI can be used to automate tasks and enhance productivity. AI Assist technologies can help employees draft documents, analyze data, and predict customer churn.

We use AI today for fraud detection. It helps us identify fraud patterns quickly, which helps our customers from taking a loss. 

That’s just a start as the AI technology is always changing.  We’ll continue to assess how we can leverage AI to meet strategic objectives.

How do you see emerging technologies impacting banking?

There are multiple emerging technologies that impact banking. There have been several emerging payments solutions over the past few years and more are coming. Consumers now use contactless payments and digital wallets which were relatively unknown 5 years ago. Real-time payments is one emerging technology affecting payments. We are working with our vendors to fully understand the functionality and risks associated with the technology.

Another emerging technology getting a lot of traction in the market is Open Banking. Open Banking allows Third-Party Financial Service Providers access to customers’ financial data. It’s getting attention from customers and our government. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Open Banking rule, also known as the Personal Financial Data Rights rule, went into effect in October 2024. A bank’s requirement to comply with the new rule is based on asset size. NSB will be required to comply by April 1, 2029, as the rule is currently written. Anything can happen between now and then, so we’ll keep a close eye on this rule and the technological innovations associated with it.

What is most important to our customers when it comes to technology?

I believe ease of use is the most important factor for our customers in their digital banking experience. A ubiquitous digital experience is becoming more important for our customers as well. As always, security is key too. Customers have to feel safe using our digital products.

What are some top priorities you’ve set for your first year in your new role?

There are some technology opportunities we need to evaluate, like AI, to see if the technology helps the bank achieve its strategic goals. I’m also working on a technological gap analysis for the bank, looking to identify gaps between our current technology capabilities and our business objectives. 

What are some key things you’ve learned in your time at North Shore Bank? What do you like best about working here?

Oh my, where to start? I have learned so much about technology, banking, and myself throughout my 20+ years here. I never worked for a bank prior to North Shore Bank, so I have learned an incredible amount about all things banking. I learned a lot from Jim McKenna, who helped me understand the bigger picture when it comes to operating a bank. 

From an interpersonal perspective, I believe I have learned to really listen. In a world where people want to have their say, especially on social media, I think it’s so much more important to slow down and listen. What do I like about working here? That’s another ‘where to start?’ response! However, if I had to pick just one thing, it would without a doubt be the people—all of my colleagues. Everyone here has created a wonderful culture. It’s special.

Outside of work, you are involved with Riding With Angels. What do you love about that organization and the work you do with them? 

I love Riding With Angels mission. It’s two-fold: save abused and/or neglected horses and offer a horsemanship program for kids facing adversity. It’s very rewarding watching a horse come to the rescue scared and often untrusting, usually incredibly underweight and sick with a multitude of issues then slowly transform into this beautiful, sweet creature. It’s a very similar experience watching the kids spend time at the barn. Over time you see their walls coming down and watch their bond with the horses solidify.  They have earned the horses’ trust and they trust the horse. Quite a few of the kids have lost trust with adults so it’s really amazing to see. 

I got involved with the group six years ago through friends who told me they had a dire need for volunteers after nine horses were dropped off at the property. I always loved horses, so I jumped on the opportunity to volunteer. I ended up with one of those nine horses, so I’m a rescue fail! My horse’s name is Hope. 

I volunteer when the kids visit the farm and help with the horsemanship program. I also help with the horse rescues—feeding, brushing, socializing, etc. And lastly, I help organize their annual open house and fundraiser. It’s a fun-filled day of everything horses and more. This year it will be held on Aug. 23. Mark your calendars!

 

BANK ON KINDNESS

From bake sale to shelter support: Bank on Kindness in action

Loss Prevention Investigator Lucinda Murphy, Deposit Operations Representative Debra “Jonesy” Jones, and Maintenance Technician Joe Ebel recently delivered our team’s incredible donations from Corporate’s Warm Your Heart event to Repairers of the Breach to directly help people experiencing homelessness in Milwaukee. 

Thanks to everyone’s generosity with donations of cleaning supplies, meal items, clothing, personal care products, and $700 in cash, we are able to provide critical support to the shelter’s essential work. That’s what our Bank on Kindness™ initiative is all about!

“They were so thankful and appreciative of the North Shore Bank gift of money and items,” Jonesy said. 

An extra special “thank you” from our Corporate Community Outreach Committee, which organized Warm Your Heart, to Joe, Lucinda, and Jonesy for delivering our donations and showing our community how much we care. 

 

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

Customers express gratitude for employees’ excellent service

Two customers brought Muskego branch Personal Banker Sara Speich a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her assistance and hard work in adding the daughter to her mother’s accounts. 03391 Great job, Sara!

This customer wrote a feedback card to thank Pewaukee Personal Banker James O’ Brien for “helpful and professional” service. Nice work, James!

Knowing how busy everyone is these days, it means a lot when customers take the time to thank their bank and its employees for exceptional service. Congratulations to our team members who made a difference for these customers. 

 

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

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Why Choose a HELOC?

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To learn more, click here. 

 

What’s new with you? Share it with Shorelines!

Just a reminder that we’re always looking for fun and exciting things to share in Shorelines.  Whether it’s a special event at your branch or a shout-out to one of your coworkers, a great trip you went on with family or friends, information about a half-marathon you’re running, or even just a fantastic photo you took over the weekend, we’d love to share it! Please email shorelines@northshorebank.com to have your news included in a future issue.

 

Customer Loyalty Tip of the Week

Provide your customers with respect, friendliness, and knowledge…plus the products or services you sell.

 

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Discover events and activities in and around your community

• The Unstoppable Cup 3v3 Wheelchair Basketball Charitable Tournament | Friday, March 14 (9:00 AM) | Jewish Community Center | 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay, WI
• Home Lending Seminar | Saturday, March 15 (11:00 AM) | North Shore Bank – Community Room | 4230 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI