The traditional 20th anniversary gift is china. If she could serve a celebratory meal for the occasion, Becky says, “I would forget the china and bring out the Chinet and have a great big cookout at my house. Everyone would be invited. Life is too short to not enjoy what you do and the people you get to share it with! Make a difference every moment you can!”
“I think I’ve had at least 12 different titles, even more opportunities, and many different business cards over 20 years!” says Becky Reinhardt. Whatever the exact numbers, they amount to two decades of success for the VP and municipal retirement plan services manager. Upon arriving at North Shore Bank, it took her barely a month to start running the Shorewood branch, where her work led to the Milwaukee Business Journal naming her one of the area’s 40 Under 40 in 2010. Five years later, she took over the bank’s unique Retirement Services program.
“The level of service, dedication, and care Becky has for her customers is remarkable,” says Janet Brammer, service coordinator for Retirement Services. “It translates to her team as well. I am grateful to be a part of it.”
“Becky’s drive to enrich the lives of customers through her high-touch service is a quality she has embraced throughout her career at North Shore Bank,” said SVP retail banking Sue Doyle. “She is passionate about her customers and her team. Her contagious energy and belief that anything is possible propel her success. I’m grateful that Becky is on our team — she is essence of the Bank of You brand.”
“North Shore Bank gives every employee the chance to climb, and I was thirsting for that,” Becky says, recalling her feelings in 2002. She talked to Shorelines about her career since then.
What were you doing in 2002 before you joined the bank?
I was working full time as a branch manager at Bank Mutual in Brown Deer, coaching the Grafton High varsity dance team, and in my spare time, filled in as a banquet waitress at Smith Bros. in Port Washington.
How did you get started at North Shore?
When I was looking to make a career change, I applied for the branch manager position in Shorewood, which was where I lived. I was actually hired by Ozaukee Bank, but then received a call from North Shore Bank’s HR for an interview. So I sat down with Lyneen Fischer, and shortly after that was offered a position at the East branch as a personal banker. My first day was April 20, and about 30 days later, I was promoted to branch manager at Shorewood.
What has kept you here for 20 years?
Customers, mentors, friends, and my team and co-workers, who many feel like family. North Shore Bank takes care of their employees and believes in them. Over the years, so many wonderful people have helped me grow, thrive, and become who I am today. Plus, our leadership is never afraid of trying something new to make the bank and our employee-customer experience better.
What big lessons have you learned in your time here?
You have to love people to be in banking. If you do, selling is not sales — it’s listening and helping people to achieve their goals. When you do that, you are never a salesperson — you’re an expert who will always do your best for your customers while accomplishing your goals for the bank as well. And when you have to say no to a customer seeking a loan, you can’t let it hit you too personally. It is an opportunity to continue to work with that customer and help them turn it into a yes.
Oh — and you have to have fun along the way!