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Peoples State Bank has been named one of the ‘2023 Best Banks to Work For’ by American Banker magazine in partnership with Best Companies Group. Peoples is listed as number 67 among 90 banks nationwide chosen for the honor by creating positive and supportive workplaces for employees.

American Banker and Best Companies Group survey employees anonymously to gain insight into the bank’s operation and to hear how employees feel about the bank. It’s the fifth straight year that Peoples has been named to the list.

American Banker noted Peoples’ employee value proposition, which states the bank not only cares about its customers but also treats employees like family. The employee value proposition is reflective of the culture of the bank and its leadership.

“When employees know exactly what the culture is like — and they are a good match for that culture — they tend to be happier and work harder to provide our customers with a great experience,” said Scott Cattanach, Peoples State Bank president and CEO. “Likewise, as we’ve filled management positions with internal and external candidates, we look carefully at the fit to ensure success. When both your managers and employees understand the importance of our culture, it strengthens the foundation of the organization and its value to customers and our community.”

“The banks recognized on this list are trying hard to create workplaces that employees want to join,” said Chana R. Schoenberger, editor-in-chief of American Banker. “Especially during this moment when companies are experiencing a shift in how, where, and how much employees work, banks are paying attention to how they can best retain their people.”

“Peoples continuously looks for ways to promote teamwork among our employees, help them become a trusted partner for their customers, and provide flexibility to achieve their goals,” said Tina Seidl, Peoples vice president – human resources director. “This honor shows the hard work our employees and managers accomplish together and in the best interest of our customers.”

Determining the Best Banks to Work For involved a two-step process. The first was evaluating each participating bank’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees concerning their workplace. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the final ranking.

To be considered for participation, banks had to have at least 50 employees working in the U.S. and have been in business for at least one year. Best Companies Group managed the registration and survey process and analyzed the data to determine the final ranking.

Pictured (left to right) are: Michael Williams, Farrah Mason, Lacee Kalepp, Jonathan White.

North Shore Bank is celebrating the third year of success through the bank’s Community Engagement Managers (CEM) program that has yielded new community programming initiatives as well as developed staff skills and expertise in building a vibrant community where they serve.

Community Engagement Managers who completed this year’s programming include these managers throughout the bank’s communities:

• Lacee Kalepp for Appleton and the Fox Valley
• Michael Williams for North and West Milwaukee and Wauwatosa
• Farrah Mason for Mequon, Fox Point, Grafton, and Cedarburg
• Jonathan White for Burlington and Union Grove

Bank District Manager and VP Lauri Lunde assisted in the program as a mentor for the third cohort. The program, facilitated by NEWaukee, regularly brought together the hand-selected North Shore Bank leaders from across the bank’s eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois footprint to collaborate on ways to expand the bank’s presence in the communities it serves. The initiative allowed North Shore Bank to grow deeper relationships in its markets, create more community partnerships, and invest and develop its team in the premise and value of community engagement.

“We are thrilled for our four graduates in this year’s CEM program. As a group, they have elevated our community programming and presence in the communities we serve, allowing us to develop deeper relationships and create more meaningful connections in the community,” said Craig Witz, vice president of retail banking at North Shore Bank.

The Community Engagement Managers program resulted in the enhancement and creation of signature community programming during the bank’s crucial centennial anniversary. The program also was a success with employee participants reporting increased confidence in their communication skills, improved collaboration skills, and a greater sense of belonging.

“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to go through this year’s community engagement program, as a cohort we were able to support community members and events in all the markets we serve,” said Jonathan White, a CEM participant who manages North Shore Bank’s Burlington office.

Waukesha State Bank is proud to announce the expansion of its mortgage lending team, reinforcing its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of homebuyers in southeastern Wisconsin. The bank welcomes Lee Turner as the new mortgage sales manager, alongside the additions of Doug Gray and Jim Larcheid as new construction mortgage consultants.

Leo Spanuello, senior vice president – mortgage lending manager at Waukesha State Bank, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded team, stating, “We are delighted to announce the growth of our mortgage team with the valuable additions of Lee, Doug, and Jim. Their extensive experience in mortgage lending, coupled with their dedication to customer service and leadership, positions them perfectly to uphold our ongoing commitment to supporting the needs and goals of local homebuyers.”

Lee Turner

Turner comes to Waukesha State Bank from Bell Bank Mortgage where he served as Wisconsin market manager. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of La Verne in La Verne, California and has over 20 years of residential lending experience, which includes managing and coaching mortgage loan officers, executing marketing and sales strategies, and originating loans. In his new role as mortgage sales manager, Turner will be responsible for promoting an effective mortgage sales environment, through regular sales training and coaching, to achieve bank production goals.

Turner is active with local mortgage industry organizations serving as a Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association past board member and member of their Education Committee in addition to serving on the Youth Foundation Committee for the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS. As a U.S. Navy Veteran, Turner also served as a board member for USO Wisconsin and is an Ambassador and Real Estate Committee Chair for the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce. He and his family currently reside in Waukesha.

As new construction mortgage consultants, Doug Gray and Jim Larcheid will be responsible for originating new construction mortgage loans, which includes meeting with prospects, taking mortgage applications, counseling borrowers, and developing relationships with Realtors, builders, financial service providers, and various community groups.

Doug Gray

Doug Gray joins Waukesha State Bank with 27 years of mortgage lending experience most recently serving as assistant vice president – residential lending for Associated Bank. He has an extensive background in new construction financing and has been specializing in this area for the last 25 years. Gray is active in the community participating in the Hunt for Heroes organization and was a licensed foster parent for Waukesha County for five years. He and his family currently reside in Sussex.

Jim Larcheid

Jim Larcheid has over 30 years of residential lending experience specializing in new construction financing. Most recently, he served as assistant vice president – senior mortgage loan officer at Associated Bank. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Marquette University and is active in the community serving with St. Dominic Catholic Church and with the Metropolitan Builders Association as past chairman of their advisory board. He and his family currently reside in Brookfield.

Pictured (left to right) are: Pam Kelly and Bill Campbell.

On November 15, Pam Kelly, president of FIPCO — a subsidiary of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA), presented Bill Campbell, president and CEO of Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Waterloo, with the Association’s Lifetime Service Award. The award, which was presenting during the bank’s board meeting, recognizes Campbell for 40 years of service to the banking industry.