Westgate celebrated Jessica’s 30th anniversary on Wednesday. Area manager Lisa Brooks says, “She has been a face that customers have come to know, trust, and love in Racine.”
Westgate teller Jessica Cranley celebrates 30 years with North Shore Bank this month. Though she hasn’t been at the branch the entire time, she has been a fixture there for a good chunk of it.
“I came to North Shore thinking I would be here for a short stay,” she says. “I knew nothing about banking at the time, but decided to give it a try. I think the thing that has really kept me here all this time is that I really love my customers and my co-workers. I have been with so many of my customers since day one, and now their children and even grandchildren — they’ve become like my extended family. The satisfaction I get from knowing I can help people every day is the best feeling! No matter how big or how small a customer’s need may seem to be, it is important to them.”
“The hair was big, the clothes were crazy,” recalls Jessica, pictured here on her 23rd birthday, one month before she started at North Shore Bank. She adds, “Sunday-night TV and The Simpsons were a weekly event at my house — and in 1989 it was a brand-new show. Who would ever guess it would still be a popular thing in 2019?”
What were you doing 30 years ago before you joined the bank?
I was working at a well-known fast-food restaurant in Racine called Pinocchio’s. I was an assistant manager there for five years — I handled cash and worked with customers, worked weekends and evenings with no insurance and no benefits. I loved working with people, so the job was fun, and back then it was a little easier to get by on $5 an hour.
What banking experience did you have?
The only banking experience I personally had was making a deposit in person at the branch, and writing checks to pay my bills.
What was your family or living situation like then, and how has it changed?
I was married and had purchased my first house by the time I was 20. I started at NSB and purchased my very first new car — a 1989 Yugo.
Now, I’ve been remarried for almost 18 years to my husband, Mike. I have a son, Kyle, who is 25 and a daughter, Toni, who is 11. We own our home and recently purchased a “new to me” car.
You’ve held other positions, but been a teller for a lot of your career at North Shore Bank. What’s changed about that job over 30 years?
The biggest change is the automation of everything. Everything was done in person in the branch; nothing was online or over the phone. Much more customer traffic used to be in the office, and it was crazy busy always — not unheard of to have a line of customers on a Friday for hours. We had six tellers on the line and still stayed busy all day. I can say I am happy I started long ago because I was able to learn everything gradually and not all in a short time. Props to everyone, because the changes never stop.
If you could go back and give 1989 Jessica some work-related advice, what would it be?
You will work with so many different people, and each will be special in their own way, so appreciate that you had the chance to meet so many great individuals! Things are going to change — go with the flow. Don’t change who you are, be a good listener, and always remember people are all human: We all have good and bad days. We all want to be respected, no matter what our situation might be.
No matter how automated things get, a personal touch is always appreciated, and a familiar face will always be welcome. You will be remembered for how you treated someone. And: Smile!