As Marquette Bank celebrates 80 years of service, we sat down with board member and longtime supporter Mary Klingenberger to reflect on the bank’s legacy, values, and enduring impact on the communities it serves. Mary’s relationship with Marquette runs deep. It's rooted in family ties, professional experience, and a shared commitment to community leadership.
Banking Expertise, Community, Leadership, and Service
Mary grew up in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, where she first came to know the McCarthy family, founders of Marquette Bank. Even early on, she recognized the bank’s integrity and deep neighborhood roots.
Before joining Marquette Bank’s board, Mary spent over 28 years at Harris Bank, then a family-run bank, rising through the ranks to become the youngest woman division head in commercial lending and later a Regional Credit/Concurrence Officer and retiring as a Regional President. She later went on to serve as President of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, a role that further solidified her commitment to Catholic education and community institutions.
It was during her time at McAuley, while thanking Marquette Bank for its generous support of local schools, that she was invited by Paul McCarthy to join the board. She now serves as Chair of the Credit Committee, bringing her decades of lending and community banking expertise full circle.
Championing Education and Opportunity
When asked what makes Marquette Bank truly unique, Mary points first to its impact on young people.
“They have a wonderful scholarship program for Catholic and public high schools, giving students the chance to attend college. They also offer part-time teller positions and internships so local students can work while going to school.”
From supporting scoreboards and scholarship drives to backpack collections and coat donations, Mary has proudly helped connect Marquette Bank with schools such as Mother McAuley and St. Anne’s in Pilsen, where her family is personally involved.
A Board That Leads with Heart and Accountability
Mary describes Marquette Bank’s board as proactive, committed, and deeply engaged:
“We bring our expertise, whether it’s marketing, banking, or business ownership, and we stay active through a strong committee structure. The credit committee, for example, meets monthly to set credit culture, act as a sounding board, and ensure accountability. We’re here to guide and support the management team.”
For Mary, the culture of the board reflects the culture of the bank itself: collaborative, principled, and community-focused.
A Core Value Worth Protecting
One of the themes Mary returns to often is the importance of Marquette Bank’s independence.
“Remaining independent allows the bank to stay nimble and able to invest in the community, not just report to a distant holding company. Larger institutions may prioritize efficiency, but Marquette Bank prioritizes relationships.”
She notes that even during difficult periods, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Marquette Bank chose investment over retreat, doubling down on outreach, local partnerships, and charitable support when other banks were pulling back.
Celebrating Leadership and Longevity
Mary takes great pride in witnessing the professional growth of Marquette Bank employees and the promotion of leaders from within, particularly the recent appointment of Betty Harn as President. “To see someone like Betty, who has worked in every part of the bank, rise to lead the organization speaks volumes. It gives hope to every employee that hard work here is recognized and rewarded.”
Looking Ahead: Staying True for the Next 80 Years
When asked about the future, Mary is optimistic. “We'll stay the course, focused on people and focused on community. Even as other banks become more transactional, Marquette Bank still updates passbooks because some of their customers want it. Customers walk in and see familiar faces. That’s powerful.”
A Message to the Marquette Family
As the bank celebrates its 80th anniversary, Mary closes with gratitude:
“I’m honored to be part of such a wonderful organization. I applaud the commitment of every employee, every senior management leader, every customer. Congratulations on 80 extraordinary years. Here’s to many more.”