Nancy Hanson

As corporate receptionist Nancy Hanson marks her 20-year anniversary with North Shore Bank, she remembers the time, when she was a teller at Pewaukee, that a man brought his dog with him to make a deposit.

“The dog jumped up to my window with the deposit in his mouth,” she says. “I had to take the slimy money from him. And of course the dog expected a treat.” Her station was close to the drive-up window where there was a supply, so she didn’t disappoint the canine.

Nancy started in 1992 as a part-time receptionist at our Brookfield headquarters, sharing duties with another operator who worked half days. The switchboard was on the first floor in what is known as the Brookfield Square branch.

She added some hours by helping out in the Accounting Department, then transferred to Consumer Loans, where she worked full time as a file clerk.

Corporate switchboard is ‘happening’ spot
Nancy next headed to Pewaukee, a Badger Bank office that was converting to North Shore, to try her hand at being a teller. “Handling people’s money really made me nervous, especially the business customers,” she remembers. “After seven months, I was invited to return to the receptionist position at Corporate, which had relocated to the second floor. I was so excited to come back, and everyone seemed so happy to see me. It was like coming home.”

Nancy operates the switchboard, and she greets visitors who come to see bank officers and other corporate staff. She has met well-known business owners, politicians, and even some local celebrities. “Portia Young from Channel 12 came to do a feature story on the bank, and she gave me a big hug when she came upstairs, commenting, ‘Receptionists are the best!’”

Technology has evolved for everyone in banking during Nancy’s tenure, but she says, “The switchboard was probably one of the most advanced systems we had when I started at Corporate 20 years ago. It was computer-based with a monitor, and it was very easy to learn to operate.”

She cites email as her favorite technological change. “I used to have to make announcements over the paging system. Now everyone gets information by email,” her preferred communication channel — after the phone, of course.

Strong leadership, support, encouragement create Top Workplace
Nancy credits just about everyone — mentors, bosses and colleagues — for influencing her and her bank career. “I think I came away with a little piece from every person who worked closely with me over the years. Their support and encouragement have meant a lot to me.”

She sees a solid future for North Shore Bank. “With leadership from Jim McKenna, who portrays a strong sense of professionalism, work ethic and values, we’ll survive any rough economic times, just as we have in the past.”

A people person through and through, Nancy thrives in her job because of the amount of contact she has with staff and customers. “I love my job and the people I work with. I couldn’t agree more with the title Top Workplaces.”

It’s not surprising that she advises newcomers, “Find a position you enjoy, and hang in there. You’ll always feel secure and respected working at North Shore Bank.”