For Kellman, lending means helping and solving puzzles
Mike serving up something yummy at last month’s annual pancake breakfast for Corporate’s United Performing Arts Fund fundraising campaign.
As part of our centennial coverage, the Senior Leader Showcase series highlights executives who’ve been instrumental in helping North Shore Bank celebrate 100 years of success.
As senior vice president in charge of consumer credit sales, Mike Kellman notes, “I get the unique deals.” His first job out of college, at now-defunct consumer loan operation Norwest Financial, introduced him to lending, and he was hooked almost immediately. He moved into traditional banking when he became a branch manager at Firstar and then “jumped at the chance” to join North Shore Bank in 2001 as vice president sales, corporate banking.
“My energy, my passion is finding ways to make unique deals work,” says Mike, who was promoted to his current role in 2011. “I get so energized dealing with these situations. It’s like a puzzle, and you have to fit everything together to make sense for both parties. And in the end, you’re helping people achieve their dreams.” Read more about what he has to say.
“Be Kind” art installation returns, now in Pewaukee
The art installation at our Pewaukee branch.
As part of North Shore Bank’s ongoing centennial celebration, we once again unveiled our “Be Kind” art installation — this time in Pewaukee — on Tuesday, May 23. Here’s a short video of the ceremony:
Last summer, the large work of art made its debut outside of our North End branch.
This year, we commissioned Milwaukee artist Emma Daisy Gertel to paint each letter in the installation. She and North Shore Bank president and CEO Jay McKenna spoke at the unveiling. The Village of Pewaukee also proclaimed the day “Be Kind Day.” And the bank presented a check for $1,097 to the Kiwanis Club of Pewaukee — the money was raised through the branch’s parking lot, which we opened to the public last year.
The art installation will be up in Pewaukee through August. •••
Free gas giveaway gets praise from lucky drivers
Mike Williams is interviewed on ABC’s WISN-TV.
Our Kindness Crew surprised some lucky drivers last week, offering free gas for 100 minutes to customers at Kwik Trip in Bellevue and the Mobil station in Wauwatosa.
The surprise giveaway took place Thursday, May 25, and was part of the bank’s ongoing centennial celebration. It garnered a ton of great coverage from local news outlets, like this live report from Milwaukee’s WISN-TV.
The story even got mentioned in the local news in Austin, Texas, a friend informed consumer lending manager Mike Murphy and SVP consumer credit sales Mike Kellman.
Interviews with people who got free gas made it clear that they deeply appreciated the help.
“It’s hard out here, man, since the pandemic,” one Wauwatosa customer told the news. “It’s a blessing.”
“We understand times are really tough for a lot of families. To be able to help out in a meaningful way, to make a difference, 40, 50 dollars in gas — that could be someone’s grocery bill, a light bill,” Milwaukee Capitol branch manager Mike Williams told a reporter. “We’re really excited to be here and celebrating with all the people who made it possible for North Shore Bank to be here for 100 years.” •••
Employees go all out for second UPAF chalk-art contest
Cheryl Lang, serving pancakes.
This year’s Corporate fundraising campaign for the United Performing Arts Fund blew away last year’s results, bringing in $8,300 to help the Milwaukee nonprofit support theater, live music, dance, and more throughout the region.
The campaign kicked off on Monday, May 15, and continued Tuesday with the second “Chalk the Walk” chalk-art contest for employees. (The first one was in 2021.) “It was a blast, and people really went all out!” commercial loan servicing manager Cheryl Lang said. Check out a few selections from this year!
Cudahy donates $500 to K-9 unit
Officer Jeremiah and K-9 companion Axel with Kathleen.
North Shore Bank donated $500 at the the Cudahy Police Department’s K-9 Fundraiser at South Shore Bowl on Saturday, May 20. As a sponsor, the bank also gave out goody bags to attendees who came out to bowl. •••
Weber serves on Passages panel
Shannon, with fellow Passages panelists Shorewood school superintendent JoAnn Sternke and student services specialist Catherine Harrison.
Shorewood area branch manager Shannon Weber once again took part in the Shorewood Passages program, which gives students a chance to reflect on how they’ve learned and grown throughout elementary school, as they prepare to move on to middle school.
Shannon served as a panelist for Passages in 2022 and 2019 as well. This year, she noted, the student presentations all took place in person. Last year, because of COVID-19, many students chose to present virtually.
“Seeing the parents there to support their little ones and the pride they had was so wonderful,” she said. “It was a great experience, and I am so glad I was invited to be a part of it.” •••
Coin-counting raising funds for Pewaukee fireworks
North Shore Bank is helping raise funds for Fourth of July fireworks in Pewaukee with a coin-counting fundraiser at our branch there through June 17. Members of the public can stop by the Pewaukee branch and have their coins counted for free, and donate all or a portion of the coins to help ensure the area’s annual fireworks display takes place this summer. North Shore Bank is matching all donations up to $500.
This isn’t the first time the bank has stepped up to help make Pewaukee’s fireworks happen. We did so a decade ago as well, and collected enough money to surpass our goal. •••
No purchase fee in June on our gift cards!
There’s no purchase fee on gift cards at North Shore Bank branches through June 30. And with summer around the corner — bringing with it graduations, weddings, Father’s Day, and other big events — they’re a perfect, thoughtful gift option. They are accepted at any merchant that takes Mastercard, and can be customized to whatever amount you want to give. They’re available at all of our branches. •••
Appleton prepares for this year’s Flag Day Parade
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.
Looking for more to do? Here are suggestions from the bank’s event calendar:
The 72nd Appleton Flag Day Parade takes place Saturday, June 10, at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and North Oneida Street. A historic concert by the 1st Brigade Band will set the patriotic tone at 12:30 p.m., and party at American Legion Post No. 38 will continue the celebration at 6 p.m. Appleton’s is the oldest Flag Day parade in the country, and annually attracts hundreds of participants and more than 50,000 spectators to Appleton. More info here.
Milwaukee and the rest of the country will celebrate Juneteenth on Monday, June 19. The federal holiday commemorates the emancipation of Black slaves in the United States and is a time to reflect on the legacy of slavery, celebrate Black culture, and recognize the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. More information about observing Juneteenth in Milwaukee is here.
The Kenosha Kingfish will host Mascot Mania on Monday, June 19, when they play the Traverse City Pit Spitters at Simmons Field. This fun event will feature mascots from various area businesses and organizations, including North Shore Bank’s own Seymour Savings. More info here. •••