Jim Krcmarik
Jim Krcmarik (pronounced kurtch mar’ ik) is a third-generation banker, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He grew up in Riverside, a Chicago suburb (“Go Bears!” he interjects), and majored in accounting at St. John’s University in Minnesota. He entered finance in Chicago, working on daily trades for several mutual funds at Stein, Roe & Farnham Inc.
“I learned early in my career that accuracy and timeliness are key to performing in a high-volume, high-stress environment,” he says.
As a commercial workout manager for North Shore Bank, Jim says, “In this position, I also need to be accurate and timely in liquidating nonperforming loans.”
Jim has been with North Shore for 18 months. He enjoys the challenge of coming up with what he calls “creative yet realistic solutions to problem loans.” He either works to restructure the loan to make it affordable in light of a business owner’s changed circumstances, or he negotiates a settlement to liquidate the property, transferring ownership to the bank.
A serious theology student in high school, Jim considered the Catholic priesthood. “When I was a freshman in college, I met a tall blonde. That changed everything,” he says.
Before Jim settled down and married that special blonde, Carla, he worked as an auditor for Transamerica Commercial Finance, Chicago. The position required extensive travel in the United States and Canada, and he looks back on it as a high point is his life. “I met borrowers in all types of industries all over the country. It was the best job I had before joining North Shore,” he says.
Now Jim focuses on family. He and Carla have 11-year-old twin daughters, basketball enthusiasts Victoria and Christina, and a 5-year-old son, Jimmy.
No Krcmarik family mention is complete without Judy, their 120-pound Great Pyrenees. “At one time, she weighed more than all three kids put together,“ Jim says. They chose her for the breed’s renowned loyalty and protectiveness.
Jim admits to being a weekend gym warrior, “and I seem to have an endless honey-do list.” But this high achiever won’t let Carla down. He is the eldest of 13 siblings, and all have completed college. “My parents say I set the bar high,” he says with a chuckle.