Rebecca Cairns

Rebecca “Becca” Cairns of our Racine Northside office had trained people on other jobs — Olive Garden restaurant, for example — but participating in our sponsor program has added depth to her experience. “The banking environment is more formal,” Becca says, “and it was interesting during the role-play to see how each person took their own personal approach to a situation.”

A North Shore Bank employee for 18 months, Becca had an excellent role model when sponsor BOSM Kurri Cecchini trained her. But Becca still didn’t feel she was quite ready when Training Specialist Jan Born suggested she participate in the November 2012 session. “It was so close to the holidays, and I was really busy. I wanted to wait until the next sponsor training, but Jan strongly encouraged me to complete that class, and I’m really glad I did.”

Although Becca has yet to sponsor her first new hire, she reflects on the benefits she already has realized: “I had no banking experience when I came to North Shore, so when I started, I was a bit overwhelmed and confused. Kurri helped me understand how and why we have to follow certain procedures. I look forward to making new employees feel comfortable and guiding them as Kurri guided me.”

Her branch is looking for a part-time teller, so Becca may get that opportunity soon.

Meanwhile, her new status has put her in a position to help existing staff. “People from other branches in our region sometimes call me with questions, so in a way, I feel that I already have stepped into my sponsor role.”

Becca patiently awaits her first opportunity to fully use her skills. “I look forward to sponsoring my first new NSB employee from start to finish.”

“I can always count on Rebecca to go above and beyond for her customers, for her team and for the bank,” says Financial Center Manager Sara Luther Hagerman. “She balances operations and sales equally and has a good understanding of how they work together to make a branch succeed. She is always looking for new business leads and opportunities.”

“Rebecca effortlessly connects with customers, asks bold questions and makes meaningful referrals,” Sara adds. “Through it all, she respects the need for accuracy and is extremely detail-oriented. A perfect audit is as important to her as making her referral goal each month.”

“These are the reasons Rebecca was chosen to be a sponsor,“ Sara says, “and these are the reasons I know she will be successful.”