Jeremy Schmidt on foster care: ‘Open your heart’
AVP and Small Business Relationship Manager Jeremy Schmidt and his wife, Emily, have adopted two foster children, their 13-year-old son James and 6-year-old son Reagan. (They also have a daughter, Paige, 11.) In conjunction with the Corporate Community Outreach Committee’s care drive for foster children, we asked Jeremy to share his family’s experience with Shorelines.

“Emily and I felt extremely pulled to the world of adoption when we first got married. We both had volunteered in high school with disadvantaged youths, and when we were 19, we attended a holiday party for foster youth. We met a youth who was about to age out of the system, who told us how all she had ever wanted was to have a forever family.” You can read more about Jeremy and Emily’s beautiful story here.

Help foster kids, enjoy Casual Day and ice cream
The Corporate Community Outreach Committee is holding a care drive for foster children through July 29 at Corporate, which will include an ice cream truck social on July 27. All donations from the drive will go to Robyn’s Nest at Children’s Service Society, operating as part of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Details here.

Loyalty survey shows value of personal touch
On a semiannual basis, we invite customers to rate how well North Shore Bank is performing in nine areas across three different categories: interaction with the bank and its representatives; products and services; and service experience. SVP Sue Doyle shares some nice comments from customers responding to our loyalty survey and also discusses how we can improve our performance. Read more here.

Employees roll out for Shorewood cycling classic

Our East and Shorewood branches helped out at the Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic on June 23. North Shore Bank also sponsored the Kid’s Roll portion of the biking event.

“We made cheer posters with the kids and had a game where they could spin to win prizes,” said Shorewood Assistant Branch Manager Heather Terpstra. “This is a fun, family-friendly event featuring Pro-Am racing action along Oakland Avenue and adjacent residential streets. The Kid’s Roll is a great way for the community to get involved and get excited about the event each year.” •••

3-year-old wins $25 for parade participation

North Shore Bank sponsored this summer’s Fourth of July Kiddie Parade in Union Grove, and entered the first 100 families who signed up into a drawing for a $25 gift card. Three-year-old Nathan Gerou, whose family has been banking with us since 1991 — and who is also a customer himself — won. Congratulations, Nathan! •••

Service Anniversaries for July 2016 •••
The following employees celebrate major anniversaries with North Shore Bank this month.

20 years
Greg Kroll, Mortgage Loan Officer (read more)

15 years
Randall Kutz, VP, Internal Audit

10 years
Dulce Gutierrez, Assistant Branch Manager–Sales, Jackson Park

5 years
Sara Coppersmith, Mortgage Servicing Specialist
James Krcmarik, VP and Commercial Loan Workout Manager

Leave a comment to congratulate them!

New Hires for July 21 •••
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

New Mequon Teller Megan Benkowski is from Pewaukee and previously worked at Bed Bath & Beyond as a customer service/health and beauty associate. She says she is “obsessed” with handbags. “I used to buy them very frequently, but now I have to sneak around in order to hide them from my boyfriend!” she says. Her favorite handbag designer is Michael Kors.

Mequon’s new Personal Banker, Elizabeth Lustig, goes by Lizzy and hails from Milwaukee. Previously, she was the sales manager at the Limited in Mayfair Mall. Lizzy has two dogs: a 9-year-old Newfoundland named Mac and a 5-year-old cockapoo named Fletcher.

And Jasmine Trotter is the new Universal Banker at Milwaukee Capitol. Jasmine is from Milwaukee, and her last job was at Tri City National Bank, where she worked as a customer service representative. She is also a student at MATC, going for an associate’s degree in banking and financial services. Jasmine has 2½-year-old twins — a boy and a girl.

Kudos
A Forest Home customer recently left these survey comments, highlighting the great service she’s received from Assistant Branch Manager Marjorie Stai:

I have and will always be a North Shore Bank customer. Friends and family have shown me their banks, and NONE of them compare to North Shore. I am always treated as an individual, with a smile and great service. My purpose for this form is to let you know about one of your best customer service reps. Her name is Marge. A few years ago, an emergency came up and I needed to take out a home equity loan. Time was of the essence. Marge quickly got all my paperwork together and went above and beyond to help me.

I am happy to say I just paid my loan in full. Marge has since given me wise advice on other transactions as well.

P.S. Marge is an excellent reflection of your bank! And so are the other tellers at your bank branches.

Wonderful work, Marge. Keep it up! •••

North Shore Shape Up: Good news about depression
Cleveland Clinic Wellness reports:

Nearly 40 percent of adults who experienced an episode of major depression, whether it lasted weeks or years, recovered completely — defined as a full year of feeling satisfied and with a sense of well-being, while simultaneously being free of symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or substance abuse. Supportive, close relationships are a common factor in recovery, so resist the urge to push others away, and try not to take it personally if you’re at the receiving end of such behavior. Regular exercise, meditation, and yoga have all been shown to be helpful for those with depression, along with psychotherapy and medication.

Researchers are also working on a blood test that would help predict a response to common antidepressants. So take heart: It can get better. •••

Upcoming Events
Our Pulaski branch will host a Community Brat Fry and Open House tomorrow, on July 22, to help the Pulaski Red Raider Marching Band raise funds for their trip to the Rose Bowl Parade. More upcoming events here.

Internal Job Postings •••

• Teller, East, full time, 40 hours/week. Referral bonus: $300. Internal closing date: July 22.
• Teller, Southridge, full time, 40 hours/week. Referral bonus: $300. Internal closing date: July 22.

For a complete list of internal job postings and to apply for one, go to nsbcareersforyou.silkroad.com and click on “Internal Openings” at the top. To refer an external person to an opening, go to our intranet page. You can earn cash and prizes for a successful referral!