For 20+ years, Martin has grown, helped others grow
“I started my financial career with a lot of enthusiasm, and knowing that it was going to be for the long run,” says community engagement manager Alfredo Martin, who leads our El Rey and Jackson Park branches. That has proven absolutely true — he has 36 years in the industry under his belt, and celebrates his 20th anniversary with North Shore Bank this month.

“Alfredo has been a leader in the area’s Latino community, and his involvement has been instrumental in getting North Shore’s name top-of-mind for members of that community who need financial help,” says his boss, district manager Lauri Lunde. “He brings energy to his teams and is very passionate about living North Shore Bank’s mission and vision. It really is a joy to work with him.”

Alfredo, who managed a branch for another financial institution and was a mortgage loan officer before joining our company in 2003, spoke to Shorelines about his career and what motivated him to work in banking. Read what he has to say!

For Y2K, North Shore Bank stayed open for business

Twenty-three years ago this month, the world breathed a sigh of relief as New Year’s Day passed without any major disruption. For several years prior, experts had warned that the so-called “Y2K error” could cripple computer systems around the globe, bringing entire economies and governments to their knees.

By the time the ball dropped in Times Square, however, IT professionals were confident they had the problem licked. North Shore Bank was so sure, we built an entire marketing campaign around our Y2K readiness, promising our branches would be open for business on January 1, 2000. And they were. Read all about our Y2K preparation efforts and how they proved us once again to be a bank our customers could rely on.

Teams share treats, more for Staff Appreciation Days

Our Staff Appreciation Days ran from January 9 to 20, and were part of the bank’s centennial celebration and an opportunity for managers to recognize employees. Check out a sampling of what went down.

Throwback Thursday: McKenna receives Emu Egg

This week, we’re not going quite as far back as last Thursday: In September 2018, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee recognized president and CEO Jay McKenna with its annual Emu Egg award.

“Some of my oldest, fondest memories as a child are of going to the Milwaukee County Zoo,” Jay says. “And some of my fondest memories raising my own children are of going to the zoo.” He shared more about exactly why this has been such an important part of the community to him for so long — read it now!

Lassa recalls fun, work at Southwest grand opening

Checking services team lead Linda Lassa saw a face she wasn’t expecting in last week’s Throwback Thursday: her own! You can see her in one of the photos from the grand opening of the new Southwest branch building back in 1985. (She’d just started at the branch’s original location the year before.)

“That grand opening was crazy — lots of giveaways and celebrities,” Linda recalls. “We were busy from the time we opened until close. I still remember getting to meet Brewers great Rollie Fingers, and I think there might even be a picture somewhere of that. Fun time and fun memories. I also worked the grand openings of our Southridge and Regency branches. Back then, we gave away lots of balloons, ice cream, flowers, and other cool stuff for opening a new account.” •••

Advice for beating “winter blues” still effective
Long, long ago — in 2001, to be exact — our ancestors were just as ready for winter to end by January as we are today. If the cold and gray have got you down, heed the following advice from that year’s winter edition of Shorelines.

• Increase your exposure to sunlight. If possible, spend some time outdoors in daylight hours during the winter. Let as much sunlight as possible into your work space and home.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise has been proven to increase natural mood-elevating chemicals. If outdoor walks or runs aren’t feasible, try mall-walking, a health club, or home/work exercise equipment.
• Socialize more. Even if you’re not in the mood, getting out, being with others, and doing something you enjoy will help counteract your depression.
• Eat nutritiously. Try smaller, more frequent meals and avoid sugar to prevent food cravings.
• Regulate your sleep patterns. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.

Seasonal affective disorder is a real form of depression that affects millions of Americans. If you are feeling notably down or listless, don’t ignore it or write it off! If tips like those above don’t alleviate the problem, get in touch with a healthcare provider immediately. •••

Watch for fraudsters posing as our customers
North Shore Bank’s CrimeBusters for December 2022 are: Ashwaubenon universal banker Leigha Johnston, checking services rep Renee Machado, and senior customer assistance rep Lori Zaleski.

Security Saves: This Month’s Highlights
A “customer” came into the branch and wanted to cash a $3,700 check drawn off a business in the area. The banker saw the check was endorsed and had the customer’s full Social Security number written on the back. After pulling up the profile using that social, the banker saw that the customer lived outside of the area. After reviewing the ID, the banker felt that it looked strange and was uncomfortable proceeding. The banker declined the transaction, and the customer left on foot down the street. The banker alerted Security right away — and Security confirmed with the real customer that they had not been at the branch attempting to cash a check.

Security says: Here are some helpful clues when you’re on the lookout for fraudulent checks, so you too can be a CrimeBuster:

• Is the customer from the area? Typically, fraudsters will visit a branch the customer does not live near.
• Does the ID match what is on file in Nautilus?
• Does the presenter of the check have a protective mask on? If you do not know your customer, you should ask them to lower their mask for a video view.
• Does the ID look like the correct format? Remember, each branch has an ID guide that shows what a valid ID looks like. Also, look at the ID number to make sure it’s the same. Illinois and Wisconsin driver’s licenses can be similar. What state issued the ID, per Cleartouch?
• Is the customer’s full Social Security number written on the back of the check? This is a red flag.
• Did you see the customer park in our lot, or did they walk over from somewhere else? Fraudsters will often park at a nearby business and walk over, so that their vehicle isn’t caught by our cameras.

Messages on a customer or account profile in Cleartouch are always a good indicator to be vigilant when processing a transaction. Whether they pertain to the customer or to a joint account owner, it is important to see these messages as a sign to use caution, especially with customers you are not familiar with. Remember, if a customer has a Security Q&A or request to see ID on their profile, they are expecting us to verify the answer and their identity. When in doubt, Security Services is here to help.

As always, trust your instincts! If something feels off, contact Security immediately for guidance on how to proceed.

Started by former security officer Peggy Theisen in 2013, the CrimeBuster Awards recognize bank employees who identify security risks and take action to protect North Shore Bank and our customers. •••

Mastercard debit cards offer online convenience
Here’s a convenient tip for online shoppers: Save your North Shore Bank debit Mastercard as your preferred payment method at your favorite retail sites, including Amazon, Etsy, DoorDash, CVS, Walmart, and countless others. It’s safe and secure, and means you don’t have to enter your card information over and over again.

Customers can also enroll their North Shore Bank debit Mastercard in Mastercard’s Click to Pay service, which allows them to pay easily and securely with their card on their phone, tablet, computer, or through Apple Pay, on any site that displays the Click to Pay icon (pictured at right). Customers who enroll in Click to Pay in 2023 have a chance to win a trip for two, as well. •••

New Hires for January 26
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

Pewaukee teller Dylan Gissal is from Sussex. He also tends bar at Pourman’s on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. “I am a huge dinosaur and Jurassic Park fan,” he says. “In third grade, one of our science projects was to make something out of recyclable materials, and I chose to make a Spinosaurus. I own all of the Jurassic Park movies, a plush T. rex, two Jurassic Park shirts, and a Jurassic Park pillow.” His favorite of the movies is 2001’s Jurassic Park III.

Wauwatosa teller JP Kolb was adopted from Guatemala at 6 months old and has lived in Wauwatosa ever since. He worked as a part-time lot attendant for a car dealership while getting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting at UW-Milwaukee, and then as an intern there in the accounting department. “Covid really affected my personal life, so after graduating in 2020, I took some time off before starting my job here,” JP says. “I took a couple vacations to visit family in Louisiana while also dog- and baby-sitting for a lot of people.” •••