Bank on Kindness team spreads joy in communities
Northland teller Kathleen Veu dropped off gifts for the Grand Chute Fire Department.
North Shore Bank’s Kindness Crew has been out patronizing local businesses to find gifts and picker-uppers for hardworking folks throughout their communities. Here’s a roundup of some of what they’ve been up to.
Candy Cane Lane total hits $3M after NSB donation
Marie’s son Natanael as Seymour.
North Shore Bank helped kick off the holiday festivities properly on Candy Cane Lane with a $2,514 donation on opening night, bringing the grand total raised by the West Allis neighborhood lights display to $3 million since 1985.
“The night was fun and very busy,” reported Forest Home assistant branch manager Marie Cruz, whose son Natanael played Seymour Savings for part of the evening. “In fact, it was busier than last year! I believe people wanted to get out of their houses and enjoy family time, due to covid. It was a fun night!”
Natanael, Marie, and her other son, Tomas Jr., with the donation check.
Other employees who helped out were Southwest teller Lorenzo Babbo, personal banker Shannan Mahloch, Southridge area branch manager Carolyn Lyrenmann and husband Jeremy, and teller Kelly Doucette. Southwest branch manager Joline Lazarski spearheaded the volunteer efforts! We’ll have more photos from Candy Cane Lane next week.
Funds raised by Candy Cane Lane go to the MACC Fund, which fights childhood cancer. Seymour will be back there again on Friday, December 11, for Mascot Night — he’ll be joined by mascots from other area organizations. For more information, look here. •••
Offices taking Toys for Tots gifts
A couple dropped off toys at Northland last month.
Through December 15, several North Shore Bank branches are collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. You can help make a child’s holiday dreams come true by donating toys at Kenosha Main, Kenosha Central, Kenosha South, Cudahy, Burlington, or Northland. •••
From HR: Thanks for responding to SOAR survey
On behalf of myself and the entire HR/Training team, I want to humbly thank everyone who completed a SOAR internal department survey back in September. The comments and feedback are always invaluable, and from the many positive comments, I would say we’ve been handling a number of things (COVID-19 most notably) in a positive and helpful manner for many of you. Our overall score was 6.8 out of 7 — thank you.
We know that sometimes dealing with HR isn’t the easiest — or sometimes we can’t give the answer that you want it to be — but we always strive to be as helpful and pleasant as possible. We do better when we know where we may need to improve, so thank you to those who shared any difficulties you may have encountered. (Thankfully, that was very minimal.)
We’re happy to continue providing the best in training, employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, and more! —Molly Schissler, SVP, Human Resources & Compliance •••
Reflect on the past year, ask what you’re grateful for
Your Zen minute: It’s easy to say “Life is a gift,” but of course it doesn’t always feel that way, especially during stressful or painful times. But stop and notice — these moments, even the difficult ones, will pass. Every moment passes. Each moment is precious, unique, and gone forever once it’s over. This is your chance to enjoy them, to sit with them, to learn from them. Don’t miss it. December’s mindfulness focus will be “Attitude for Gratitude.” Pat Ingelse has more about this month’s challenge here!
Employees show pride with NSB apparel
Front row at Sturgeon Bay: Linda Wheaton, branch manager Becky Kolstad, Tara Neuville, and Mel Langrick. Back row: Pavel Petkov, Emily Johnson, and Loretta Heath
Employees showed off their spiffy new North Shore Bank apparel on a special “Dress Down Day” on November 20. Here’s a look at our great-looking team!
Kudos: Muskego’s Cieslak stays late — and it pays off
Here’s a success story from Muskego branch manager Stephanie Bluemel:
We have a customer who has a checking account with us that is being used for a down payment on a new home. She called yesterday because she needed to set up a business account. She currently banks at Landmark Credit Union, and their lobbies are closed; their Muskego branch is physically closed as well. She was not happy about having to open a business account online and preferred to do it in person. When she found out we were open, she came right over. She said she’s always liked North Shore, but never thought to move her accounts.
Matthew Cieslak
My personal banker Matthew Cieslak received the call. He was scheduled to leave at 12:45, but the customer wanted to come in at 1. Matthew stayed and met with her and her husband for almost two hours and had the best conversation. As a result, she will be talking with our MLO, Ed Hughes, for her home purchase, Harrison Loveall and Cheri Cicona-Trudell for merchant processing, electronic banking specialist Angela Trantow for positive pay and fraud protection, and also doing a personal and business credit card with balance transfer. I am so proud of Matthew and can’t wait to see where this relationship goes.
Stephanie adds, “In addition, universal banker Sara Speich has gotten seven approved credit cards this month and a few checking account referrals as well — all while Matthew and I were out of the office for two weeks.”
SVP consumer credit sales Mike Kellman also submitted two comment cards with some very complimentary feedback on them: “Your services are fantastic!” reads one. The other says, “I always receive wonderful service at NSB.” •••
Use North Shore Bank debit cards with digital wallets
It’s easy to pay merchants conveniently and super securely when you add your North Shore Bank debit card to your digital wallet — through Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. When you make a payment with a digital wallet, your card number is not shared. Instead, a Device Account Number is used to process your payment, protecting your personal information.
You can use your mobile device’s digital wallet wherever you see the Near Field Communication symbol — just tap and go. To see compatible devices and for more information on setting up and using your digital wallet, take a look here. •••
Get out for zoo’s Family Free Day
Looking for something to do this weekend? Take advantage of the sunshine and relative warmth to enjoy Family Free Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Admission is free! (Parking and concession fees do still apply.) More information here. •••
Social media winners of the week!
Here are this week’s winners of our social media sharing giveaway: Mortgage loan originator Robin Tegel and Green Bay East universal banker Kari Tuyls each helped promote North Shore Bank content and won $75 to spend at Fanatics. Congratulations to both of them! •••