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New Sheboygan bank will cater to the deaf - Small Business Times
Lake Shore Wisconsin Corp. in Sheboygan is raising $15 million to $25 million and forming an executive team to open the Lake Shore Bank, a "one-of-a-kind" bank that will provide special services to the deaf.
The new bank will be located in the former Prairie States Building at 615 Pennsylvania Ave. in downtown Sheboygan.
The bank is being founded by James Meisser, who is chairman and president, and his wife, Jeanene Messer, who is chief operating officer and controller.
The Meissers moved to Kohler, Wis., from Chicago in June 2006 when James retired after 25 years of service at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) and Jeanene resigned from The PrivateBank and Trust Co.
"Jim and I had discussed starting a bank over a period of many years and there was only one location and name that we wanted. The state of Wisconsin for the location and Lake Shore Bank for the name," Jeanene told SBT.
James, who was born deaf, most recently was the supervisory financial analyst in charge of the FDIC's Division of Supervision Chicago regional information management group. He has served as an analyst, examiner and manager. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Lakeshore Bank believes he will become the first deaf person to lead a Wisconsin bank.
"As a result of my inability to hear, I have spent my entire life finding new and creative ways to communicate. Today there are many new and exciting technologies that can help, including many that will be used in the bank," James stated in a filing for the bank's state charter. "However, for most of my life, I have had to rely on my ability to form personal, one-on-one relationships. While others can pick up the phone to conduct business, I have to rely on the face-to-face interaction. It is this unique blend of technology and intense, personalized relationships that will be the core of Lake Shore Bank."
The bank will feature special architectural designs and technologies to assist people who have trouble hearing.
"Jim is the eternal optimist. People have underestimated him all of his life but when he is focused on a task, he will always see it through to a successful completion and won't stop until he is on top. Being profoundly deaf, Jim has never heard a sound, so he tells potential investors that he has never heard the word 'no,' which is a true statement," Jeanene said.
The company is offering private shares to accredited investors.
"With several weeks to go, the response to the offering has been overwhelming, and we have more than 400 investor packets in circulation," Jeanene said.
This week, Lakeshore Bank added Thomas Schueller to its executive team. Schueller has been named chief credit officer and managing director. He has 37 years in the financial services industry, most recently serviing as president of Community Bank & Trust.
Schueller will oversee commercial and retail lending and credit administration at Lake Shore Bank.
"We're thrilled to add someone of Tom's caliber to the team," James Meisser said. "He will be a real asset for our clients."
The Meissers hope to open Lake Shore Bank's doors for business by the end of the year. For additional details about Lake Shore Bank, visit Lake Shore Bank.
Lake Shore Wisconsin Corp. in Sheboygan is raising $15 million to $25 million and forming an executive team to open the Lake Shore Bank, a "one-of-a-kind" bank that will provide special services to the deaf.
The new bank will be located in the former Prairie States Building at 615 Pennsylvania Ave. in downtown Sheboygan.
The bank is being founded by James Meisser, who is chairman and president, and his wife, Jeanene Messer, who is chief operating officer and controller.
The Meissers moved to Kohler, Wis., from Chicago in June 2006 when James retired after 25 years of service at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) and Jeanene resigned from The PrivateBank and Trust Co.
"Jim and I had discussed starting a bank over a period of many years and there was only one location and name that we wanted. The state of Wisconsin for the location and Lake Shore Bank for the name," Jeanene told SBT.
James, who was born deaf, most recently was the supervisory financial analyst in charge of the FDIC's Division of Supervision Chicago regional information management group. He has served as an analyst, examiner and manager. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Lakeshore Bank believes he will become the first deaf person to lead a Wisconsin bank.
"As a result of my inability to hear, I have spent my entire life finding new and creative ways to communicate. Today there are many new and exciting technologies that can help, including many that will be used in the bank," James stated in a filing for the bank's state charter. "However, for most of my life, I have had to rely on my ability to form personal, one-on-one relationships. While others can pick up the phone to conduct business, I have to rely on the face-to-face interaction. It is this unique blend of technology and intense, personalized relationships that will be the core of Lake Shore Bank."
The bank will feature special architectural designs and technologies to assist people who have trouble hearing.
"Jim is the eternal optimist. People have underestimated him all of his life but when he is focused on a task, he will always see it through to a successful completion and won't stop until he is on top. Being profoundly deaf, Jim has never heard a sound, so he tells potential investors that he has never heard the word 'no,' which is a true statement," Jeanene said.
The company is offering private shares to accredited investors.
"With several weeks to go, the response to the offering has been overwhelming, and we have more than 400 investor packets in circulation," Jeanene said.
This week, Lakeshore Bank added Thomas Schueller to its executive team. Schueller has been named chief credit officer and managing director. He has 37 years in the financial services industry, most recently serviing as president of Community Bank & Trust.
Schueller will oversee commercial and retail lending and credit administration at Lake Shore Bank.
"We're thrilled to add someone of Tom's caliber to the team," James Meisser said. "He will be a real asset for our clients."
The Meissers hope to open Lake Shore Bank's doors for business by the end of the year. For additional details about Lake Shore Bank, visit Lake Shore Bank.