Michelle Slaney
Retail Services Manager | NMLS#: 608959
2615 Westview Court, Cross Plains
mslaney@lakeridge.bank
(608) 798-5919

Q: What are some things that you help bank customers with?

I interact with customers in a variety of ways! Any type of banking that goes beyond a typical transaction at the counter ends up in my office, such as opening a new account, adding someone to your account, applying for a credit card, opening your first checking account and getting a debit card, taking out a personal loan or learning more about a second mortgage, and so on. I can take the time to explain details, share options, and get to the bottom of what you need so we can serve you in the best way possible.

In addition to my time spent with customers, I also supervise our front-line personal bankers in our bank’s Cross Plains locations. We all work together to create an enjoyable experience every time.

Q: Do you have a local “hidden gem” to recommend that people should check out?

My husband and I have two daughters, aged 13 and 10, who play softball. One of the fun things we enjoy doing together is going to a Madison Night Mares game, where college women play softball in the off-season in The Duck Pond. We’ve gone to several games and have enjoyed getting to see players at that level. Plus, they always have fun family activities and themes that make it extra fun for kids. It’s a really neat experience, and I’ve been recommending it to people who want to enjoy and support softball locally.

Q: How did you get into banking as a career?

I actually started as a teller at Cross Plains Motor Bank when I was in high school. It was part of a work-release partnership with the high school where I got to spend part of my school day on the job. It was a great job for a high school student, and it taught me that the thing I like best about any job is getting to know the customers and interacting with people face-to-face. After graduation, I spent a few years working in another field and realized how much I missed the connections I made with customers at our bank. I came back in 2007 as a Personal Banker and moved into my current role as the Retail Services Manager in Cross Plains in 2020. I feel really lucky that I got that experience in high school to help me realize what community banking is all about. Now I’ve been here for 17 years!

Q: What is something you really enjoy about your work?

One of the things I like best about living and working in this area is knowing so many of the customers who walk through our door. I love that I get asked questions at the grocery store and enjoy seeing clients when I’m volunteering at the Memorial Day Parade. It means a lot to me to feel so ingrained in the community and interwoven into the events and families and neighborhood spaces that make this such a wonderful place to live. For me, it’s about the feeling of belonging to our tight-knit community and contributing to everyone’s success in some small way. To really help clients with their financial needs effectively, I believe it’s important to get to know them on a personal level. And that often means helping generations of a single family and seeing them grow and develop over the years. It’s such an honor to be part of their lives for so long.