Lyrenmann works Borgen Project to help world’s poor
While North Shore Bank employees typically want to improve their communities’ financial well-being, Carolyn Lyrenmann is taking that impulse a step further — helping to fight extreme poverty all over the globe as an intern for the nonprofit Borgen Project.

She applied for an internship as a writer with the Borgen Project and landed an interview conducted over video chat. “I learned that only 5 percent of all people who interview globally are given a role,” she said, “so I was truly fortunate to be selected.” Read more about the cool work Carolyn is doing!

Celebrating Halloween, kids, adults show off costumes

Last week, we asked for Halloween photos, and you answered the call! Check out these great pics!

Social media winners of the week!
We are pleased to announce the first winners of our social media sharing giveaway: Fox Point universal banker Anna Levine and business systems analyst Caren Miller each helped promote North Shore Bank content and were entered into the drawing to win $75 to spend at Fanatics. Congratulations to both of them!

All you need to do for a chance to win is like or share North Shore Bank content on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn. More details here. •••

Turn off your autopilot! Week 1 of our mindful challenge

Your Zen minute: We can appreciate our present joys and use that energy to fuel our push for future growth. Experience contentment in the moment along with the natural desire to improve things.

Everyone keeps talking about mindfulness, but what exactly is it? Take a moment and ask yourself: Can you remember the taste of your first sip of your morning beverage today? For more from Pat Ingelse about this month’s cool mindfulness challenge, read on!

Cudahy celebrates Wrap-Up Rally with dinner at branch

Cudahy branch employees dined in together at the office for this year’s Wrap-Up Rally on October 28, held over Zoom. They had a lot to celebrate, as Samantha Bradford and Jody Perron were named South District Tellers of the Year, Stefanie Toledo was named South District Personal Banker of the Year, the branch was named Branch of the Year for the district, and Kathleen White was named Branch Manager of the Year.

“We each ordered our own choice of entrée from Papa Luigi’s and had a lot of fun shooting off party poppers,” Kathleen said. Congratulations to the Cudahy team! •••

Pewaukee pumpkins promote trick-or-treating

Pewaukee employees decorated pumpkins to help promote trick-or-treating at downtown businesses for Positively Pewaukee. “While not participating in handing out candy this year, we wanted to make sure the bank looked great during the event!” branch manager Anne Kagerah said. “The customers loved the pumpkins on display and every day asked who made which one.”

Team members practiced safe social distancing and decorated their pumpkins at home. “I got the idea for my design with the help of my kids,” teller Megan Kubichek said. “It was sparkly and unique, and that’s my daughter’s spirit! The sparkle and hat gave it attitude! The pieces were from our photo booth studio we use at Taste of Lake Country every summer.”

Teller Merry Justin said her pet Emma inspired her creation: “She is our adorable recue cat who rules the house.” And teller supervisor Sonnee Tobias said hers was “just a very classic, festive design that fit the Halloween theme very well.” And Anne used spray paint to turn her pumpkin lime-green. “I am crazy about crows actually and will feed them,” she said. “They’re pretty smart birds.” •••

Bank announces construction on new Kenosha South
North Shore Bank announced this week the start of construction on a new, full-service branch in Kenosha outside of our current location inside Festival Foods. The approximately 2,262-square-foot branch will continue to provide private, individualized financial help and an in-branch self-serve coin counter, but now in a larger lobby space. The new branch will also have extended hours at the drive-up video teller machines.

The current branch will remain open inside the grocery store during construction. The new branch is scheduled to open next spring. Read the full press release here. •••

SEA Score holds steady, highlights opportunities

The bank recently invited customers to participate in the SEA Score program, a customer engagement study administered by Informa Financial Intelligence. During the third quarter, over 1,200 North Shore Bank customers completed the program survey. Our results were then compared to those of competitors in our market. This year’s findings were similar to prior results. Sue Doyle has more here!

HELOC offers available till end of month

Need a little extra spending power for a special purchase? Know someone else who does? Our home equity line of credit sale has been extended through the end of November. We have two HELOC conversion offers with low rates locked in for 10 years.

These offers are available to North Shore Bank employees, and you should also share the news with family, friends, and customers. More information is on the website. •••

New Hires for November 5
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

Underwriting support specialist Emily Curro has lived most of her life in Wisconsin but spent two years in Dallas. She and her husband moved back and bought a house in Sussex earlier this year. She was previously a corporate trainee at Quad and recently came on as a full-time employee after temping at North Shore Bank. “I moved states, bought a house, started a new job, AND planned a wedding all during a worldwide pandemic!” she says. “I don’t know what to do with all this free time I have now!”

Customer assistance rep Amber Gruhlke is from Wauconda, Illinois, and previously worked as a client services representative for Spaulding Medical. “I am a sucker for a good true-crime documentary,” she says. “The most recent one I watched was American Murder: The Family Next Door, but I would say my favorite would either be Making a Murderer, because it’s local to Wisconsin, or Abducted in Plain Sight, because it’s SO crazy! I will gladly take any recommendations, as well!”

Traveling teller Rachel Rasmussen is from New Berlin and graduated from UW-Madison in May, where she also worked for the university Recreation & Wellbeing department as a competitive sports supervisor and official. “I love the water!” she says. “My parents have a boat, so I grew up going tubing and skiing every summer, and it is still my favorite summer activity. I started tubing when I was 3, and skiing maybe at 5? I can drop a ski and slalom, and I was also a swimmer in high school.” •••

Remember: Saturday is Family Free Day at the zoo

Reminder: This Saturday is our next Family Free Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Admission is free, and Zoo Pass Plus and Platypus Circle members get free parking. More info here. •••