Southwest Branch Manager Joline Hendren marks 25 years with the bank today.

There’s nothing wrong with having ambition and setting high goals, but 25-year North Shore Bank veteran Joline Hendren cautions, “Don’t try to move so fast that you don’t enjoy what you are doing.”

Joline, whose anniversary with the bank is today, had her sights set on becoming a physical education teacher. But when she bought her first car, she was so pleased with the banker who helped her get a vehicle loan, she changed her mind: “I realized I wanted to help someone else that way.”

Her career path at North Shore Bank began in 1989 in a teller/CSR position at our Wauwatosa office. She advanced to personal banker at Southwest, professional banker at Fox Point, PBII back at Wauwatosa, assistant manager at West Allis, branch manager at Oak Creek, and now branch manager at Southwest.

As she reflects on her career progression, Joline observes young people today eager to move up, often hoping — and expecting — to be promoted as soon as they feel they have mastered their current position. “Sometimes they get frustrated and leave, because they feel they aren’t moving fast enough.”

“Become the best at whatever position you have,” she advises. “Continue to strive for excellence every single day, and you will be noticed. The doors will open for you when the time is right.”

Supportive mentors, perpetual change mark career path
Joline speaks from experience. She has appreciated Southeast Region District Manager Janet Dexter, who Joline says “has continued to make sure I am comfortable being uncomfortable.” She explains, “To grow, you have to step out of your comfort zone.”

Others Joline credits for nurturing and supporting her are VP and Regional Coordinator Darrel Eisenhardt; VP and Customer Support Center Security Payments Manager Lyneen Fischer; and retired VP and Branch Operations Specialist Kathy Storck. “They saw potential in me. They believed in me before I believed in myself, and they continued to give me opportunities to grow,” Joline says.

She has observed many positive changes in her quarter century. Although it adds convenience for customers, the technology that makes online banking possible has reduced branch traffic, meaning less one-on-one with them. “We have to reach out in different ways, such as doing our best to be aware of major life events — like weddings, births, and even deaths — in a family that might affect financial plans and goals.”

Maintaining accurate profiles and contacting customers to invite them to the branch for annual reviews are other steps that contribute to maintaining a presence in their financial lives. “Helping others meet their financial goals for 25 years has been wonderful,” Joline says.

VP Steve Arps, Joline, President and COO Jay McKenna, and DM Janet Dexter gather for a snapshot after the other three presented Joline with a bouquet in honor of her 25 years with North Shore Bank.

Sense of family, humor enrich workdays
“North Shore cares about employees and encourages them to grow,” Joline says. “I’ve seen employees leave the bank and then return. They come to realize that being able to make a little more money might seem appealing at the time, but staff at North Shore are like family. We take care of each other. That’s worth a lot.”

And there are, of course, humorous incidents to keep you going. When Joline walked into the West Allis branch early one morning, she spotted Kathy Storck perched on top of a desk, which was odd to begin with, but even more so because Kathy was wearing her traditional conservative skirted business suit. Joline quickly scanned the office and spotted a teller on — yes, on, not at — the teller counter. A third staff member was in the vault.

What caused this unusual scenario? A mouse was caught in a trap, still struggling to get free.

Levelheaded Joline coved the twitching mouse with a wastebasket, slid a piece of cardboard under the basket, and managed to transfer the entrapped rodent outside to the trash bin.

When you’ve been on board for 25 years, even disposing of mice can be all in a day’s work.