SUZANNE C.

REZMER SOCHA
1957 Angelica Lane * Bartlett, IL 60103 * (312) 613-9731 * sraea6de@westpost.ne
t

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Extensive career in the financial services industry conveys comprehensive experi
ence in all retail and commercial processes, products, and services as well as t
raining and development. A solutions visionary, long-term strategist, and implem
entation specialist acknowledged for capacity to elevate employee performance, a
lign branch efforts with corporate objectives, and ensure socially responsible b
anking practices. Strong analytical mindset combined with fluid communication st
yle and leadership skills have created invaluable training programs, ensured reg
ulatory compliance, and boosted business growth. Exemplify integrity, adaptabili
ty, and resilience.
- Team Building & Leadership - Staff Training & Motivation - Corporate Training
Programs
- Training Manuals & Documents - Corporate Action Plans - Performance Improveme
nts
- Customer Service Best Practices - Train the Trainer - Instructional Design
- Directives & Procedures (D&P) - Operation/Compliance - Program Development
Initiatives
HIGHLIGHTS & PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
Success devising and implementing training and development programs. Envisioned,
crafted, and delivered high-value training programs that resolved critical know
ledge deficiencies in the areas of retirement accounts, FDIC, sales, emotional i
ntelligence, directives and procedures, and system conversions.
Catalyst for driving compliance and passing audits. In the wake of a failed fede
ral audit at Aurora National Bank, chosen to execute complete departmental clean
up. Instituted new policies and procedures, established dual control system, tra
ined tellers, and assured auditory compliance in record time to pass the next au
dit.
Leader in operations management, bringing a wealth of experience. Took on de nov
o challenge to open a Harris Bank branch from the ground up. Hit sales targets w
ithin six weeks of opening and six weeks ahead of schedule. Developed branch to
rank #2 in profitability within three years, exceeding investment referrals and
sales targets.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY, Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management, Magna cum Laude, 3.87 GPA, 20
05
Managerial Leadership Learning Stream (MLLS) Graduate, HARRIS BANK, 2005
Executive track. By special invitation only.
Crafted academic paper into executive summary complete with metrics, charts, and
analysis and submitted it to the President of Harris Bank for recommendation. I
mplemented proposal to change banking hours and utilize staffing talent more eff
ectively for significant cost savings and improved productivity at Mount Prospec
t branch.
 CAREER CHRONOLOGY
WINTRUST FINANCIAL-ADVANTAGE NATIONAL BANK GROUP, Roselle, IL 2007-present
Vice President / Bank Manager / IRA Administrator
HARRIS BANK, various locations, IL
1998-2007
Assistant Vice President / DeNovo Bank Manager-Harris Bank Mount Prospect (2005-
2007)
Assistant Vice President / Bank Manager-Harris Trust and Savings, Arlington Heig
hts (2001-2005)
Bank Officer / Branch Manager-Harris Bank, Woodfield (2000-2001)
Assistant Branch Manager / Bank Officer-Harris Bank, Roselle (1998-2000)
LIBERTY FEDERAL BANK, Morton Grove and Glenview, IL, Bank Manager 1996-1998
GREATBANC-AURORA NATIONAL BANK, Aurora, IL, Teller Manager 1995-1996
FIDELITY FEDERAL BANK, Chicago, IL, Branch Manager/Consumer Loan Underwriter 199
3-1995
SUZANNE C. REZMER SOCHA (312) 613-9731 * Page two of two

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
WINTRUST FINANCIAL-ADVANTAGE NATIONAL BANK GROUP, Roselle, IL 2007-present
One of the largest holding companies with 15 chartered banks, including Advantag
e National Bank Group (ANBG) with three different brands-Roselle Bank and Trust
houses 60 employees with deposit base of $3.54M.
Vice President / Bank Manager / IRA Administrator
Selected by senior management to turnaround Roselle Bank and Trust location, whi
ch had shown no growth or market penetration. Challenged by inveterate staff tha
t lacked product and financial expertise, reactive approach to business growth,
and complete lack of operational efficiencies. Streamlined operations, created a
udit functions, implemented proactive sales strategies, and trained staff. Six d
irect reports.
* Revitalized declining operations for bottom-line growth. Increased product by
household penetration for the first time in branch history and energized the loa
n application process.
* Identified knowledge deficiency in retirement accounts and developed 16-module
training program that averted potential IRA fines and dramatically improved sta
ff knowledge and counseling abilities.
* Devised and implemented FDIC training that ensure accurate client counseling r
egarding FDIC matters.
* Invited by Wintrust University to facilitate a sales training course and creat
e an emotional intelligence class, which helped identify and overcome employee d
eficiencies for greater productivity and communication.
HARRIS BANK, various locations, IL 1998-2007
American bank based in Chicago and owned by the Toronto-based Bank of Montreal;
281 branches with 1.2 million customers.
Assistant Vice President / DeNovo Bank Manager-Harris Bank, Mount Prospect (2005
-2007)
Assistant Vice President / Bank Manager-Harris Trust and Savings, Arlington Heig
hts (2001-2005)
Bank Officer / Branch Manager-Harris Bank, Woodfield (2000-2001)
Assistant Branch Manager / Bank Officer-Harris Bank, Roselle (1998-2000)
Spearheaded action plan initiatives that restructured operations, turned around
profitability, and improved staff performance at several branch locations. Multi
ple challenges included failed audits, new computer system, ineffective D&P trai
ning, and development of a new branch location. Direct reports ranged from eight
to 25.
* Chosen to lead D&P training and development for 16 branches across the north r
egion at Arlington Heights. Built training team, delegated modules, created mate
rials, and ensured training consistency. Achieved all sales targets at Arlington
Heights due in large part to the highly effective training.
* Selected to deliver virtual training to 200+ branches for new in-house compute
r system.
* Led de novo project for small suburban branch, overseeing every aspect from co
nstruction consultation, community networking, hiring, to opening. Ranked #2 in
profitability (of 200 branches) within three years.
* Exceeded deposit and lending sales targets at Schaumburg location for the firs
t time in branch history by leveraging private banking team with a network in ex
cess of $1M and capitalizing on the low-hanging fruit.
* Remedied audit issues and streamlined operations at Roselle branch to be ahead
of other Harris banks from all perspectives for operations, policies and proced
ures, and auditory compliance.
LIBERTY FEDERAL BANK, Morton Grove and Glenview, IL 1996-1998
Local bank with four branches and 50 employees; merged with Hinsdale Federal in
1997, expanding to 10 branches and 150 employees.
Bank Manager
Surrounding company merger and restructure, challenged with integrating culture
change, incorporating new directives and procedures, and converting to new compu
ter platform, which was still under development. Direct reports ranged from eigh
t to 12.
* Chosen to turn around Glenview branch, the second largest branch in the networ
k. Restructured operations and staff and enhanced employee morale to greatly imp
rove overall branch performance.
* Ensured smooth transition to new computer system as key member of team that cr
eated the training program and trained the staff. Also served on system conversi
on team to troubleshoot potential issues.
* Served as key contributing member of D&P team to develop manual and incorporat
e new directives and procedures, ensuring operational integrity across all branc
hes.