Business Journal recognizes Gagliano
This month, the Milwaukee Business Journal named VP compliance manager Kristen Gagliano one of its “People to Know in Banking & Finance.” The publication ran a short interview with Kristen, which you can find on the web or read here as a PDF.

“I was pleasantly surprised to be recognized,” Kristen said. “There are many times that Compliance is seen as ‘the department of no,’ so it is nice to be recognized for ways that we benefit the bank. I work to understand what an implementation team wants to do, and then work collaboratively to deliver that concept within the rules. North Shore Bank builds strong relationships with our customers by being transparent about our products and services. That strategy has helped us be a great bank and the best resource for our customers’ financial needs.” •••

Area organizations honor MLOs
Mortgage loan originators Susan Liedel and Robin Tegel were recently recognized by organizations in their area. Susan accepted an award for Associate of the Year from the Racine Kenosha Builders Association, on behalf of North Shore Bank. And the Southshore Realtors Association honored Robin as Affiliate of the Year.

“I am very committed to the realtors in my area and spend a lot of time working for them and the association,” said Robin, who serves as co-chair of the association’s program/social committee, as well as on its public relations committee. “The best way to build trust is to be involved and follow through by attending the required meetings, coming up with ideas, listening to others, and promoting events!”

Susan serves on RKBA’s membership committee and has coordinated the bank’s participation in association events.

“You can’t beat being handed an award when most of the membership is in attendance,” she said. “It builds trust. Getting a builder’s attention is tough, so anything that brings light to Robin, myself, and North Shore Bank is a good thing.” She noted that retired senior mortgage lender Linda Tait also played a key role in helping open these doors.

“Susan and Robin are great examples of how putting your positive energy into something can make a significant difference,” VP consumer lending manager Chris Boland said. “While I am not surprised by the accolades they have received, I am very happy and excited for them. In a time when there have been many challenges for these types of organizations, coupled with the increase in demand for lending — which affects both builders and realtors alike — it says a lot about both of them that they were able to continue to serve at such a high level.” •••

Unemployment fraud rises, as scammers steal IDs

While scammers have been filing false claims for as long as unemployment benefits have been offered, unemployment fraud has increased dramatically throughout the United States since the COVID-19 pandemic began. After the pandemic forced numerous businesses to lay off workers, the huge uptick in claims made such fraud harder to detect, as did looser verification requirements put in place by Congress to provide relief to contract workers and others.

“North Shore Bank has not been immune to this issue,” warns senior vice president Molly Schissler, who leads our HR and compliance departments. “We have received fraudulent claims from the state unemployment office, for former employees and current employees. But it’s not that our employees are filing fraudulent claims — it’s that their identities may have been stolen, so that someone can try to get unemployment benefits off of their Social Security numbers.” Read more about what to watch out for and what to do.

Scammers posing as OptumRx reps
A North Shore Bank employee was recently targeted by scammers posing as representatives of OptumRx, which handles prescriptions for our health plan. The message said: “Hello, ________. This is OptumRx calling regarding your prescription refill. Please call 1-833-277-6283 and provide this seven-digit number: 6871106.” The call originated from the number 1-866-482-3084.

The scammers want the target to call them back, at which point they will proceed to ask for private information, such as a Social Security number, date of birth, etc.

If you receive such a call, remember to exercise extreme caution when asked for information. While OptumRx does reach out to health plan members if necessary, company representatives will already have your information on hand. If you suspect a call may not be legitimate, simply disconnect and call the OptumRx number on the back of your insurance ID card. OptumRx tracks outbound member calls and can verify whether the call was legitimate. If you do receive one of these fraudulent calls, please let payroll and benefits manager Cindy Lohrey know. •••

Employees have merry olde time in Greendale

North Shore Bank employees helped out at Greendale’s A Dickens of a Village holiday event on December 3, which the bank also sponsored. The 20th anniversary celebration saw the village transformed into a Victorian-era English setting, reminiscent of London in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.

Investment coordinator Elizabeth Castillo, Greendale assistant branch manager Samantha Damman and daughter Layla, Forest Home universal banker Kim Dane, Greendale personal banker Kevin Esser, video teller Erika Garcia, and area manager Carolyn Lancour came out for the event. The evening’s entertainment included strolling carolers and other music, as well as a hayride in Santa’s sleigh. Participating merchants had employees dressed in Dickensian costume — Sam dressed up for us.

“Hundreds of kids enjoyed spinning the wheel at our table, and adults and kids alike enjoyed wearing our reindeer antlers,” Carolyn said. “It was a well-attended event, and the community was very appreciative of our sponsorship.”

North Shore Bank also took part in Jingle on Janesville in Muskego over the weekend of December 3, winning second place in the event’s Christmas tree decorating contest. The branch also participated in a “Hide the Jingle Bell” contest, which gave the public the chance to find a hidden jingle bell at each participating business and win a $50 gift card to local restaurant the Lodge. Besides those activities, we also had Plinko, treats and refreshments, and a shopping spree giveaway.

If you are looking for holiday activities, here are a few ideas in our communities:

Sponsored by North Shore Bank, Candy Cane Lane is going strong in West Allis, raising money to help the MACC Fund fight children’s cancer. More info here.

Through December 22, our Sturgeon Bay branch is supporting the community by accepting new or slightly used outdoor apparel and nonperishable food items. These donations will stay in the community and be donated to Door County nonprofit Feed and Clothe My People. More info here.

And if you wish to donate to victims of last month’s tragedy in Waukesha, there is more information here. Happy and safe holidays to all of you. •••

For Giving Challenge or as presents, try gift cards

Here’s the pitch for our Kindness Giving Challenge this holiday season: Buy ten $5 North Shore Bank gift cards — which are available through December 31 with no purchase fee — and share them with family, friends, neighbors, and other important people. And if you know any last-minute shoppers, let them know our gift cards also make perfect stocking stuffers, can be purchased at any dollar value, and are usable with just about any merchant that accepts Mastercard. More information here! •••

11 Black business owners chosen for initiative
North Shore Bank announced this week that 11 Black entrepreneurs have been selected to receive knowledge, tools, and other support to grow their businesses, through our partnership with the Lonely Entrepreneur.

The 11 business owners are Jeanie Carr (Greens and Things, Milwaukee), Shelly DeRuyter (Signature Auto Detail, Milwaukee), Daniel Gilbert (Lead by Example, Green Bay), Angelique Gray (Care Management Plus, Germantown), Jeoffrey Hutcherson (CinnerG Systems and Get Happy Voice, Oconomowoc), Elizabeth Johnson (Rockitacos, Kenosha), Janice Johnson (On the Bayou, Milwaukee), Corine Lawson (Transportation Service, Milwaukee), Anthony Ratellis (Tek Help, Racine), Angel Washington (Angel Feathers Boutique, Milwaukee), and Tykia Williams (Such a Doll Boutique, Brown Deer). They will also each have a dedicated North Shore Bank commercial banker to help guide them. Congratulations to these entrepreneurs! •••

Instead of “escaping,” take small steps to face troubles

We spend most of our time trying to escape from something — boredom, money troubles, emotional discomfort. This makes it hard to deal with the real world, magnifying basic issues into huge problems. Think about something that really scares you. If it happened, would it really be as bad as you think?

Try this meditation for one minute every day, or longer if you want to:

I CAN TAKE small steps to face my fears and troubles. I step into my discomfort, knowing it will become more comfortable.

How did this meditation go for you? Share your experience at shorelines@northshorebank.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of A Mindful Day: 365 Ways to Live Life With Peace, Clarity, and an Open Heart, by David Dillard-Wright.

If you’d like a daily email reminder to practice one minute of mindfulness, email us with the subject “Mindfulness reminder.” —Pat Ingelse, AVP and PMP •••

Service Anniversaries for December 2021
The following employees celebrate a milestone anniversary with North Shore Bank this month.

35 years
Colleen Egan, VP, Call Center and Customer Assistance Manager — read more!

15 years
Keith Springer, Senior Infrastructure Specialist

10 years
Tom Hughes, VP, Risk Management Officer
Patt Kox, Teller Supervisor, Northland

5 years
Rhonda McKinnie, Personal Banker, Bayshore

Leave a comment to congratulate them!

New Berlin’s Wacker gets married

New Berlin teller Megan Wacker — now Megan Gross — got married in late November at the Milwaukee Art Museum. “The wedding had to be rescheduled because of covid, so it was very exciting to see everything finally come together for her,” teller supervisor Lauren Kinsella said. Congratulations, Megan! •••