NORTH SHORE BANK CENTENNIAL

New plaque commemorates 100th anniversary time capsule

As part of North Shore Bank’s Centennial Celebration in 2023, we put together a time capsule filled with mementos from the past 100 years and placed it in the wall near the elevator in the lobby at Corporate Headquarters during the remodeling project. Recently, a plaque about the time capsule was installed near its location. 

Have you ever wondered what went into the time capsule? Here are a few items that are inside:

• A North Shore Bank TYME card (“Take Your Money Everywhere”), an ATM/Interbank Network. In 1976, North Shore Bank was the first financial institution in Wisconsin to join the TYME and Cash Plus networks. 
• A North Shore Bank keychain from the 1980s.
• A wax North Shore Bank Safari Train from the Milwaukee County Zoo, honoring the bank’s longtime support of zoos in Milwaukee, Racine, and Suamico.
• A plush Seymour Savings seagull mascot, which commemorates the special savings account for little savers that was introduced in 2000.
• Savings and checking deposit and withdrawal slips.
• A North Shore Building & Loan “Paid-Up Stock Register” with transaction records of customers from 1923-1943.
• Y2K stickers. North Shore Bank bank branches were open on Jan. 1, 2000, sending a clear message to customers that the bank was totally prepared. 
• A copy of the Milwaukee Yellow Pages from 2003-2004.
• A COVID-19 pandemic decal, noting that the bank stayed open as an essential business during the pandemic that started in 2020.

Many more items are included in the time capsule, including items from the bank’s Centennial Celebration in 2023. See the full list of what’s in the time capsule here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Help make a splash at the Pewaukee Kiwanis Beach Party

North Shore Bank is sponsoring the 29th annual Pewaukee Kiwanis Beach Party, and our Pewaukee team could use your help! The bank will have a tent at the event, held June 20 and 21. Branch Manager Anne Kagerah encourages employees to sign up to join in the fun, sharing all the beach party vibes with the community.

The weekend is packed with awesome activities, including: 

• Live music
• Fun games and crafts for kids
• Delicious food, including a Saturday morning pancake breakfast
• Amazing water ski show by the talented Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Club Saturday evening

Best of all, the Beach Party offers free admission and shuttle service to the beach front, and all proceeds are distributed back into the community through various charities and grants. 

In addition, the event will host the Clean Water Festival on June 21, which will provide visitors with information about keeping our beautiful lakes pristine and healthy for generations to come. 

To sign up to help with this celebration of summer fun, email Anne or sign up on Bucketlist. 

 

 

OUT OF OFFICE

From Brookfield to Brazil, Gerwitz embraces family adventure

Brookfield Square Teller Lisa Gerwitz says her recent visit to Brazil was the “trip of a lifetime.” In March, Lisa and her husband, Patrick, finally had the chance to visit her son, Zack, daughter-in-law, Stephanie, and their four grandchildren (ages 9, 7, 6, and 4), who have been serving as missionaries in the southern state of Santa Catarina for seven years.

“It was our first time seeing their home, their ministry, and how their family lives day-to-day,” Lisa said. “The whole experience was absolutely beautiful!”

Lisa describes Santa Catarina as a lush paradise of rolling hills and mountains covered with palm trees and banana plants. The natural beauty was breathtaking—but so was the heat. “It was very hot and humid,” she said. “The walls seemed to be melting!”

Lisa enjoyed connecting with the local community and being part of her son’s new church. 02702 She also fell in love with Brazilian cuisine, discovering new flavors and foods like abobora, a vegetable that is a cross between a pumpkin and a squash. 

The pizza, topped with cheese sauce, pickled onions, and hard-boiled eggs, was “pretty good,” she said, but the grilled meats, known as “churrasco” in Brazil, were outstanding. But the very best thing, Lisa said, was the extremely fresh coffee: “It’s harvested and roasted the same day you order it from the plantation.”

During the visit, Lisa and her family explored German settlements. More than 80 percent of the population in her son’s village is German. Germans seeking land and opportunity began immigrating to this area of Brazil in the late 1800s/early 1900s, and the influence in the area is still strongly felt.

Lisa noted a few major differences in daily life, like the custom of stores closing for two hours at lunchtime during which everyone drinks coffee and relaxes. Residents of the area open their windows at sunrise and leave them open until sunset to blow air through as most homes don’t have air conditioning.

Lisa’s son’s family was grateful for the gifts they brought from home, including many things they can’t get in Brazil like taco and ranch seasoning, Reese’s peanut butter cups, jelly beans, Flaming Hot Cheetos, and marshmallows. 

Would Lisa recommend others visit Brazil? Absolutely! Although she recommends going in June or July (Brazil’s winter season) to avoid the intense heat. 

 

SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

Milosevich embraces change, learning at 25th anniversary

Vice President, Investment Sales Manager Erika Milosevich is celebrating 25 years with North Shore Bank this month. 

Holding a position for a quarter of a century is a big achievement, and Erika shared some of the reasons she’s kept her passion for the work. “I love that there is always something new to learn,” she said. The satisfaction she gets from assisting others is also key. “I just love helping people hit their goals and get what they want,” she said. “I like making people money. That’s fun, too!”

She’s also very grateful for the team she gets to work with every day. “I love my staff,” she said. “We all get along really well, and everybody helps everyone else.” Longevity also runs in the department, with two employees, investment consultants Jeff Pieters and Jeff Eichel, serving in their roles for more than 20 years. 

For newcomers interested in entering the field, Erika admits it can be challenging. She suggests that people who are in school consider getting an undergraduate degree in financial planning, an option that didn’t exist when she started her career. 

Great candidates for roles in her group need to have a combination of skills, she said. “You have to be nerdy in that you have to be interested in all the technical financial things, but you also have to be outgoing and inquisitive,” she said. “I always say our job is Psych 100. You have to be able to explain things well to customers in multiple ways.”

As the financial industry is always evolving, Erika said it is important to be able to embrace change. “There is always an evolution in products, always new things available,” she said.

But despite the changes, Erika said one thing always remains: “People are still the same. In the end, you’re trying to help people get what they need in life.”

Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Sue Doyle said Erika’s impact on her department over the years has been profound. “Erika guided our investment program from its early stages to the business it is today and has been instrumental in mentoring colleagues and upholding high standards of professionalism,” Sue said. “She is also well-respected among financial institutions peers that offer similar programs. Erika’s legacy of hard work and achievement is deeply appreciated.” 

Congratulations, Erika, on this milestone anniversary! 

 

OFF THE CLOCK

Berglund, daughters run 5K to benefit children in foster care

Oak Creek Lead Teller Kelly Berglund and her daughters, Andrea and Allison, ran a 5K on Saturday to benefit Royal Family Kids, a nonprofit organization serving abused and neglected children ages 7-11 in Milwaukee County’s foster care system. The run, called the Starfish 5K, raised funds for families caring for foster children to send them to summer camp and after-school programs for free. 

The 5K kicked off at Grant Park in South Milwaukee and followed a scenic route along Milwaukee’s lakefront. The Milwaukee Milkmen baseball team sponsored the run. 

Kelly finished strong, placing 42nd out of 121 runners. She did the 5K in exactly 50 minutes. Andrea placed 58th, and Allison placed 57th. After the race, participants could get their faces painted—as Kelly did!—and enjoy some food from Culver’s. 

Kelly said the 5K was a fun challenge for a good cause. “I haven’t always loved running,” she said, “but I am starting to enjoy it more and more!”

Great job, Kelly, Allison, and Andrea! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRANCH NEWS

Germantown branch celebrates two birthdays in style

Last week, the Germantown branch was full of birthday cheer as the team celebrated two special milestones! Our amazing Personal Banker Tarvinder Kaur and Community Engagement Manager Erica Hughes both marked their birthdays—and the team made sure both were surprised and celebrated in style!

The team surprised Erica with a strawberry cake, and then they all surprised Tarvinder on her birthday by decorating and dressing in her favorite color, blue, and sharing her favorite candy and Indian cuisine.

 

From thoughtful treats to festive moments, it was a great reminder of the strong team spirit that makes the branch so special.

Cheers to another year of success, growth, and laughter for Tarvinder and Erica!

 

 

 

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Moms, dads, and new grads all want fee-free gift cards!

Now through June 30, we’re waiving the $4.95 purchase fee on all gift cards, making it even easier to celebrate life’s big and small moments. Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a new graduate, a newly married couple, or just because, gift cards are a simple, thoughtful option. Don’t miss this special promotion!

 

Customer Loyalty Tip of the Week

Thank your customers for waiting and apologize for any delays.

 

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Discover events and activities in and around your community

• Top Ten Financial Security Tips Seminar | Saturday, May 17 (11:00 AM) | North Shore Bank – Community Room | 4230 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI
• Art64 2025 | Friday, June 6 (5:00 PM) – Saturday, June 7 (4:00 PM) | Root Common Park | 1409 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI