Laurie Kocken hits 20 years and will now retire
For Allouez universal banker Laurie Kocken, this month marks both a milestone and the end of the road. She celebrates 20 years with North Shore Bank next week and will begin her retirement the week after.

“Laurie will be missed by both co-workers and the customers who have come to know her like family over the years,” says her boss, AVP area branch manager Mickey Adams, who hired Laurie in 2002. “We have been here for so many of her big life events, weddings, and the births of all of her grandchildren.” Read more about Laurie’s anniversary and retirement now!

New route makes for scenic day at Ride for the Arts

Around a dozen employees biked in or helped out with the United Performing Arts Fund’s 2022 Ride for the Arts on Sunday, June 5, raising money for the Milwaukee nonprofit, which helps fund 40 area music, theater, and dance groups.

This year’s ride saw the debut of a new route, the 12-mile Hoan Loop Course. The course was closed to all car traffic in both directions and free of traffic lights, and took riders across the city’s scenic Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge.

“Despite the early morning mist, the joy of riding across the Hoan Bridge and getting a bird’s-eye view of the lakefront never disappoints,” said SVP retail banking Sue Doyle. “The ride on I-794 is a great way to get exercise and support the arts. My husband and I have electric bikes, which helps navigate inclines, but on a challenge, I rode without assistance.”

“My boys rode and said the view from the top of the Hoan was great!” said assistant controller Ann Marie Krecak, who volunteered in the registration tent. “Weather was perfect for cycling.”

In April, North Shore Bank employees helped raise a record-breaking amount of funds for UPAF.

“UPAF does a great job taking care of the 2,600 riders with multiple ride options, support stations, and by hosting a post-race celebration at Lake Shore Park,” Sue added. “I highly encourage others to join the fun and ride next year.”

If you are interested in being part of next year’s Ride for the Arts or our annual UPAF campaign, email SVP consumer credit sales Mike Kellman. •••

Cristo Rey students praise work-study program in video

The bank’s latest installment in our ongoing Playmaker Profiles video series highlights the corporate work-study program at Milwaukee’s Cristo Rey Jesuit High School — and features interviews with student worker Bryan Ramirez of Deposit Services, who recently won the program’s Work Experienced award.

In “Working Towards the Future: The Wisdom of Students From Cristo Rey High,” which you can watch above, sophomore Bryan and senior Aniya share some of what they’ve learned and what they enjoy about the program.

North Shore Bank had four Cristo Rey student workers for the 2021-22 school year; their time here ended in May. You can see more of the bank’s Playmaker Profile videos on YouTube. •••

Germantown library to kick off reading challenge

The Germantown Community Library kicks off its 2022 summer reading challenge, sponsored by North Shore Bank, with a party this Saturday, June 11. Kids up to age 12 are invited to get ready to read and enjoy camp-themed activities, snacks, balloons and glitter tattoos from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library.

Registration is not required for the “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” challenge, which is open to kids and adults of all ages. Prizes and rewards are given as participants reach reading goals based on their age level, and a grand prize raffle winner will be announced when the challenge ends on Saturday, August 13, and there will be a summer finale concert featuring the Germantown High Warhawk marching band, followed by activities and refreshments, on Saturday, August 20. You can find more details here.

“I’m excited for this kickoff party,” said AVP and Germantown community engagement manager Erica Hughes. “And I’m really excited to help inspire kids and adults in the Germantown area to enjoy some great books this summer.” •••

Customer praises Mariella Zarb

Some nice feedback from customers this week. “Mariella Zarb was great to work with,” writes someone who opened a new home equity line of credit with the Brookfield Square assistant branch manager. And a customer of Edgerton’s Rock River Marina said they “love working with and being a part of North Shore Bank.” •••

Digital wallets offer convenience, extra security
It’s easy, secure, and fun to use a digital wallet to pay with your North Shore Bank debit card. With Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, you simply tap and go.

These digital wallet services are available and free to use on virtually every smartphone now, and it’s easy to add your card. Once you’ve done so, you can use your digital wallet to pay anywhere you see the contactless symbol . When you pay with a digital wallet, your card number isn’t shared with the merchant, adding an extra layer of security for your personal information. More information is here. •••

Pay no purchase fee on gift cards through June 30

Don’t forget: Through June 30, there’s no purchase fee on gift cards at North Shore Bank branches. These cards are accepted at any merchant that takes Mastercard, and can be customized to whatever amount you want to give. They’re a perfect gift for graduations, weddings, Father’s Day, birthdays, and just about any other occasion — and they’re available at all of our branches. More info here. •••

Appreciate the people who keep the world running

We should never look down on the “regular people” of our society or idolize the rich and famous. Celebrities, financial speculators, rock stars — none of them actually make the world work, although they might think they do. The most important people in any given organization do not have a big, long title or a plush office. They do not get paid a great deal of money. We should be more mindful of the everyday people, who labor mostly in anonymity, who keep society running. We should collectively learn to better appreciate those who just perform an honest day’s work.

Try this meditation for one minute today, or longer if you wish:

WHO CAN YOU THANK for impacting your day in a positive but “ordinary” way? Why in particular are you grateful for what they did?

The knowledge which stops at what it does not know is the greatest.
—Zhuangzi, Chinese philosopher

How did this meditation go for you? Share your experience with your fellow North Shore Bank employees at shorelines@northshorebank.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Mindfulness in Plain English, by Bhante Gunaratana.

If you’d like a daily email reminder to practice one minute of mindfulness, email us with the subject “Mindfulness reminder.” •••

Stulo takes silver at all-city meet

MCIF database administrator Scott Stulo’s son Xander took home a silver medal in the 1,600-meter open at Racine’s All City Middle School Track Meet on June 1 at Case High School.

A sixth grader at Starbuck IB World School, Xander finished the approximately mile-long race with a time of 6:09.16. Congratulations, Xander! Nice running.

If your kid, grandchild, or other young relative has achieved something awesome, share it with us at shorelines@northshorebank.com! •••

Promotions for May 2022
The following employees were promoted in May:

• Andrea Bahena was promoted from Teller to Universal Banker at West Allis.
• Tisha Kenfield was promoted from Personal Banker to Assistant Branch Manager at Northland.
• Erica Kuik was promoted from Senior Deposit Operations Specialist to ACH Representative.
• Ermalinda Schroeder was promoted from Universal Banker at Regency to Video Teller.
• Vanessa Reyes was promoted from Teller to Teller Supervisor at El Rey.
• Fabio Zane was promoted from Teller to Universal Banker at Northland.

Leave a comment to congratulate them!

New Hires for June 9
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

Training specialist Ryan Melcarek is from Wisconsin — “born and raised and no plans to leave” — and previously worked as a facilitator at BMO Harris Bank. Ryan taught himself music theory. “It’s made learning new instruments much easier, and I can pick up any stringed instrument and play it,” he says. “Certainly not like a professional, but it won’t sound like a chalkboard being scratched either.” He can play mandolin, guitar, violin, bass, ukulele, and banjo.

Mortgage loan originator Mary Rose was born and raised in Oak Creek and has lived in Burlington for 16 years. She has been in the mortgage business for 22 years, mostly in management and origination roles, and even ran her own mortgage broker company for five years. She was previously a branch manager at Cardinal Financial. She has four sons and likes playing with the three family dogs and going to the gym. “Although cardio is not my thing, I enjoy lifting weights,” Mary says. “It is great for the body and mind!”

And Oak Creek personal banker Jessica Scharhag is from Muskego and was previously an assistant branch manager at Summit Credit Union. She has worked in the financial industry for five years. “I love going to festivals in the summer to see live music and spending time on the boat up north at my family’s lake house,” she says. “I recently traveled to Ireland with a group of 10 friends. This trip was originally planned for 2020, and we were finally able to go this May.” •••

Crafts & Laughs features art by video teller
What’s going on with you? If you or someone in your family has a special event — a concert, show, sporting or charity event, or another important moment — send the details to shorelines@northshorebank.com. We’ll include information about select events to let your colleagues know about all the cool stuff happening with the North Shore Bank team.

Crafts & Laughs on Friday, June 17, at Dresden Castle in Cudahy will feature stand-up comedy, trivia, and a silent auction of 11 pieces by local artists including video teller Maria De La O Sanchez. Maria and the other artists are also competing for two prizes. Tickets are available online for $15 or will be $20 at the door. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the evening will go towards Friends of Pulaski Park. Download a PDF of the flyer here.

Looking for more to do? Click here for suggestions from the bank’s event calendar.