Meet Nick Phillips, Chief Operating Officer at North Shore Trust & Savings
With more than 41 years of banking experience, Nick Phillips knows that community banking has always been about building relationships. He joined North Shore Trust and Savings in 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, bringing decades of leadership, industry knowledge, and a genuine passion for serving customers and supporting his team.
Nick’s banking career began in 1985 as a teller, a position he still says was his favorite. From there, he worked his way through nearly every aspect of community banking. As Chief Operating Officer, Nick helps ensure the bank operates smoothly each day, supporting employees behind the scenes while also making time to connect with customers. If you’ve visited our office, chances are you’ve received a friendly wave from Nick as you passed by his office. He believes every customer deserves to feel welcomed from the moment they walk through our doors.
Nick earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Eastern Illinois University and is a graduate of the Illinois Bankers Association Graduate School of Banking. His career has been built on a commitment to learning, leadership, and helping others succeed.
Giving back to the community has always been an important part of Nick’s life. He has served with the Exchange Club of Gurnee for many years and previously served as president of the Village of Gurnee Chamber of Commerce, where he now continues as a board member emeritus. Since joining North Shore Trust and Savings, he has also become involved with the Lake Villa, Lindenhurst & Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Earlier in his career, he volunteered with Junior Achievement, helping teach financial literacy and life skills to students in North Chicago and Waukegan.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time boating on Diamond Lake during the summer and traveling whenever he can. Among his favorite destinations are New Orleans, Munich during Oktoberfest, and Prague.
Nick also has a few stories that often surprise people. He still has the same license plate number he received when he was 16 years old for his first car, a 1973 Ford Pinto. As a child, he appeared on Bozo’s Circus twice, including one memorable moment introducing the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon while sitting on Ringmaster Ned’s lap. He also graduated from a high school class of just 24 students in downstate Illinois, where the entire school had fewer than 100 students.
Nick’s decades of experience, approachable personality, and dedication to community banking embody the values that have guided North Shore Trust and Savings since 1921. Whether he’s helping support employees, greeting customers, or volunteering in the community, he’s committed to putting people first every day.
