Chief Lending Officer Kevin Murphy (L) and President Michael Busch (R) with Chip von Weise in the VWA offices.

A well-designed space has the power to create cohesion, evoke emotions and stimulate curiosity. Chip von Weise, distinguished architect and founder of von Weise Associates, uses space to his advantage for beautifully crafted commercial and residential designs. Since 1994, von Weise has been a prolific architect completing inspired and striking architectural creations across the world, from Shanghai to Chicago. His work, dedication and valued relationship with Burling Bank makes von Weise a natural choice for this season’s Client Spotlight.

1301 Astor Street Residence

Chip von Weise began his architectural work in Boston, MA where he graduated from Harvard University with a Masters in Architecture in 1992 and soon relocated to Chicago. Serving in multiple senior positions beforehand, he started von Weise Associates in 1999 to create ideal family residences, commercial spaces, hotels, corporate interiors and offices. His passion has yielded powerful results, with over seventy residential homes and dozens of notable Chicago buildings including 150 N. Wacker, 200 North LaSalle, the Cards Against Humanity office and the restoration of the Allegro Hotel in his portfolio.

Cards Against Humanity office

Today, the staff at von Weise Associates take a collaborative approach with each new project, developing a personalized relationship with each client from conception to review. von Weise believes that excellent design is derived from a dialogue that occurs with the client throughout the design process.

“Seeing and bonding with a family in their space is extremely rewarding,” von Weise remarked, when asked about a residential space his firm had built in Michigan. “It’s these personalized interactions that make me thrilled to come to work each day.”

Chip von Weise couldn’t do his work alone and he turns to Burling Bank for funding and interim financing on some projects. In search of a small, knowledgeable bank with a personalized approach, Chip von Weise approached Burling President Michael Busch who eagerly invited him to explore Burling’s offerings. Since then, Burling Bank and von Weise Associates have formed a close working relationship. von Weise looks forward to a long-lasting partnership with Burling Bank, empowering his firm to provide distinct designs and architectural feats for years to come.

“We can always communicate with the team at Burling directly,” Says von Weise. “The management team is accessible and we truly appreciate that.”

Ryan Partnership office

von Weise’s work extends beyond structures and office spaces – he and his associates impart their knowledge to young architects in training as well. In a fully-fledged architectural program for Virginia Tech students, fourteen students are selected each semester and twenty-eight each year for the opportunity to gain credit and intern throughout Chicago while developing expertise under von Weise’s guidance. The students are housed in a brand new multi-purpose office building, living in dormitories above the von Weise Associates office with classrooms dotting the building where students learn. In this sleek space, students focus on the importance of design and architectural principles while below, von Weise and his staff prepare designs to be seen across the world.

The building itself was a feat, crafted with the sole purpose of multifunctionality. Purchased with the financial expertise of Burling Bank, the new von Weise associates office reflects the needs of students, employees and von Weise himself. Today, von Weise and his collaborators share the space and work toward a stronger architectural future.

Burling Bank is honored to work with entrepreneurs and small business owners like Chip von Weise, providing exceptional service and customized solutions to our partners and clients throughout the Chicagoland area. To learn more about von Weise Associates and their unique capabilities as an architectural firm, please click here.

There was a competitive spirit in the air on May 25th, 2017, as 75 students from charter high schools across Chicago took part in a Shark Tank-style competition to see whose entrepreneurial idea would win over judges. The highly successful event was sponsored by Burling Bank and The University of Chicago’s Moneythink chapter to promote financial literacy and entrepreneurship for low-income students, preparing them for a bright financial future.

Students prepared for 3 months developing ideas and plans for business, making presentations, constructing budgets and gaining insight from The University of Chicago Moneythink students. Divided into 15 teams, teens competed to see which judges would “invest” in their ideas.

The winning team from Rauner College Prep took home first place with their concept of iGreen, a community-based recycling initiative. Students would pick up waste from businesses for free and then sell the organic compost created from the waste product at a low cost. According to the winning team, “iGreen encourages people to spend time outdoors and gardening.” Their green thumbs paid off: each winner on the team received a brand new Google chromebook for their efforts. This is the third consecutive year the event has been held.

The winning team from Rauner College Prep took home the grand prize.

“It means a lot,” Said Kerrington Woods, junior at Urban Prep high school. “I’m here and able to experience new things that a lot of people at my school and my community can’t.” Kerrington also acknowledged that students would work on their projects beyond classtime to better themselves and their work, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of the bustling teens. Students got screentime too, as the story was recently featured on WGN. See the story below:

As a community partner, Burling Bank is pleased to help educate students from low-opportunity neighborhoods on financial literacy and entrepreneurship through Burling’s sponsorship of The University of Chicago Moneythink chapter, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to financial education.

“These past two years of partnership have allowed our chapter to pursue opportunities for expansion, collaboration, growth, and programming that we would have never realized without Burling.” Said Dalton Schmit, President of Moneythink. “In many ways, this event was a culmination of the successes our partnership has produced for Moneythink.”

To get involved and learn more about Moneythink’s capabilities, visit their site.

Burling Bank continues its support of the Chicago startup community as a founding corporate sponsor of Currency, a Center of Excellence for financial firms, startups, government, regulators and universities. Currency will launch June 1^st, 2017 in the WeWork space on 20 W. Kinzie St.

This fintech Center of Excellence is dedicated to collaboration, research and sharing of best practices and will partner with major corporations and companies to elevate Chicago as a global fintech power. Chicago is currently ranked 5^th in the world behind New York, Silicon Valley, London and Singapore, according to Deloitte. From curated mentorships and accelerator programs to events, workshops and networking opportunities, Currency aims to become a center of deep insight and community within the fintech industry.

Michael Busch, President of Burling Bank, agrees that this partnership is highly beneficial to both Burling and the community at large. “Currency will spark a culture of collaboration in Chicago’s financial services sector and help us all compete more effectively as we share knowledge and insights for the greater good of Chicago’s growing fintech community.”

Burling Bank isn’t alone in partnering with Currency. Governor Bruce Rauner said the State of Illinois will also be joining with Currency to lead in the field of fintech. “Our state has a long history of innovation,” states Governor Rauner. “Illinois is sending a global signal that we are supportive of innovative technology and open for business.” In addition to government and public partners, Currency will also partner with DePaul University, the University of Chicago and Northwestern University to advance fintech knowledge in academia.

Burling Bank is proud to sponsor an ascending partner in the fintech field and the Chicago business community. For more information about Currency, visit http://www.currencychicago.org/ or email info@CurrencyChicago.org.

At Burling Bank, we provide our community, friends and family the opportunity to bank on a better relationship. Our efforts haven’t gone unnoticed: As of January 2017, Burling Bank is a proud recipient of the BauerFinancial 5-Star rating! This prestigious award recognizes us as one of the strongest financial institutions in the United States for superior security, strength and reliability. We are grateful to our clients, staff, and board of directors for this shared success and welcome distinction.

BauerFinancial, Inc. is the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating firm. To learn more about our 5-star banking experience, please visit our office in the landmark Chicago Board of Trade Building or contact a Burling Banker today.

Please note our Holiday Hours:

Friday, December 23rd
8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Monday, December 26th
Closed

Friday, December 30th
8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Monday, January 2nd
Closed

Meet Burling Bank’s own Eddie the Elf, named after architectural visionary Edward Burling. He’s finally come out to play and make mischief across our office this holiday season! Want to see where we’ll find him next? Like us on Facebook and Instagram to see where he’ll pop up!

(Image: Salt & Life Blog)

Burling Bank wishes you a festive Thanksgiving week. Please note our Thanksgiving holiday hours:

Wednesday, November 23, close at 2pm
Thursday, November 24, closed
Friday, November 25, close at 1pm

Located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district, Burling Bank is pleased to provide the very best in banking services, access, and convenience.  Our commitment to the Bank’s clients and the community is always paramount, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner in your success.

Dear clients and friends,

On Wednesday, October 5^th, Burling Bank’s Founder and Chairman, David F. Goldberg, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 85.

A mentor to countless traders and a giant in the exchange industry, many of you knew Dave personally.  Dave was a LaSalle Street success story — a self-made man who started out as a teenage floor clerk at the Chicago Board of Trade and went on to lead an accomplished career as a commodity trader and business owner.  Never one to settle for complacency, Dave and his brother Bob built Goldberg Brothers into one of the largest clearing and trading firms in the industry with thousands of traders populating the trading floors in six different cities — spanning from San Francisco to London.

Grateful for the professional opportunities provided to him by the exchanges, Dave gave back to the industry by serving as a founding member and Director of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, as well as a Director of the Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Stock Exchange, Options Clearing Corporation, and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), appointed by President Ronald Reagan.

Upon the successful sale of his trading firm in 1988, Dave eschewed retirement and founded Burling Bank, a boutique banking business located in the landmark Chicago Board of Trade Building.  For twenty-seven years Dave served as Chairman of the Bank and continued to share his wisdom and guidance from his perch overlooking the LaSalle Street Canyon.

Always a proponent of service and helping others, Dave served in the U.S. Coast Guard and on countless charitable boards such as Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican High School, St. Francis Hospital, and Catholic Charities of Chicago.

Though he was a pragmatic man, David Goldberg believed in the promise of tomorrow.  In that spirit, we honor Dave today for what he meant to each and every one of us, and celebrate a life of purpose and an individual of character.  On behalf of Dave’s family, and the Bank’s Board of Directors and staff, we thank you for your friendship, your loyalty, and your confidence as part of the larger Burling family.

Very truly yours,

Andrew C. Goldberg                          Michael J. Busch

Vice Chairman                                    President

A memorial service will be held in Glenview, IL on November 4, 2016. For more information please click here.