Real estate, childhood memories inspire Cope’s books
For many authors, writing a book is a lifelong dream. That’s not the case for mortgage loan originator Michele Cope, whose children’s mystery Linda & Michele: The Search for Snow Creek Circle was published in 2012.

“To be honest, I really didn’t start reading novels until I was about 40 years old!” says Michele, who fell in love with the work of cozy-mystery writer Laura Childs, best known for Death by Darjeeling and other titles in her Tea Shop Mysteries series. “Before that, my go-to books were nonfiction entrepreneur books, financial books, marketing books, and real estate books.”

Michele spoke to Shorelines about her literary proclivities. Read more now!

Family tops the list for these employees
With Thanksgiving coming up, take a moment and tell us what part of 2022 you’re thankful for! It could be a person or people, an experience, gift, or purchase — just let us know what it is and why you’re so glad it was part of your life. See how below.

“I am thankful for perseverance and faith,” writes district manager Kerri Collins, who lost her mother in July. “It has been such a difficult time. But I am enjoying every minute I have with my dad and family as we find our new normal.” Kerri’s father has had Green Bay Packers season tickets since before Lambeau Field opened in 1957, back when the team played at the original City Stadium. “He and my mom were at the Ice Bowl — she was eight months pregnant with my brother!” (The average wind chill temperature at the legendary 1967 NFL Championship Game was -36 °F, making it too cold for referees to even use their whistles; it remains the coldest game in NFL history.)

“I’m thankful for my family,” North End branch manager Heather Somers says. “I’m also so grateful that my husband is almost 10 years cancer-free!”

Payroll and benefits manager AVP Cindy Lohrey is thankful for granddaughter Kinsley (who is, of course, also credit analyst Emily Curro’s daughter). “Her laughter and joy brighten every day for me,” Cindy says. “She is so intrigued to learn things and is whip-smart — she keeps us laughing all the time with her antics and facial expressions. And I will be even more thankful when she says the word ‘grandma’!”

To share what you’re thankful for, use the submissions form or email us at shorelines@northshorebank.com — share a photo if you have one! (You can also text us at 608-318-3348.) Make sure to include your name. We’ll publish submissions in next week’s edition on Wednesday, November 23. •••

Get $2,500 or more for retail and CSC job referrals
Know somebody worth hiring? Earn a $2,500 bonus by successfully referring someone for a job at North Shore Bank!

We have openings to fill in our branches and the Customer Support Center. You can earn an additional $500 (for a total bonus of $3,000) if the referral is bilingual in English and Spanish. To qualify for the bonus, you must currently be actively employed by North Shore Bank. All employees are eligible except senior executives, HR staff, and CSC managers if the referral is for a position they are responsible for. The referral must come in by Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

For your referral to qualify you for the bonus, the referred candidate must be hired and remain employed by North Shore Bank for 180 days, and both you and the candidate must be employed here on the payment disbursement date. The first half of the referral payment will be paid out after the new hire’s first 30 days, with the remaining funds paid out after the 180 days are up. Get more information about our job referral program here! —Janet Rosenthal, Talent Acquisition Manager •••

Enjoy a night of brilliant colors at zoo’s Wild Lights
Early-bird tickets are still available for Wild Lights at the Milwaukee County Zoo. After sundown through the month of December, the zoo will become a bright, colorful spectacle decorated with millions of sparkling lights and illuminated animal displays.

Between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m., visitors can stroll a one-mile path taking them through areas like “Jungle Bells” — sponsored by North Shore Bank, filled with apes and other primates — the Winter Woodland, Starry Safari, and many more. It will be not unlike a walk through a giant snow globe.

Interested in an enchanted evening away from the kids? On Thursday and Friday, December 8 and 9, the Cheers! Wild Lights experience will be open for adults only and is presented by North Shore Bank.

Get early-bird tickets for only $15/person through tomorrow, Friday, November 18. After tomorrow, online prices go up to $18 for adults and teenagers and $16 for children 3 through 12; or $20 and $18 at the door. Kids 2 and under get in free. Admission includes parking. The event will be closed on December 5, 6, 12, 13, 24, and 25. More info on Wild Lights here, and on Cheers! Wild Lights here. •••

Help Children’s Wisconsin — donate through Tuesday
Reminder: Through next Tuesday, November 22, we are collecting donations for Children’s Wisconsin. The funds raised will provide books for patients at Children’s Wisconsin hospitals and for its school-based mental health programs.

Please consider donating and sharing this information with customers, family, and friends! The bank is matching all donations up to $5,000. Donations can be made here, or just text “Kindness” to 62641 to get started. •••

Reminder: Cast your vote for NSB!
Don’t forget: North Shore Bank is a finalist in the Shepherd Express Best of Milwaukee 2022 readers’ choice contest. Vote for the bank, and ask your friends and family to vote too!

Vote at shepherdexpress.com/best-of-milwaukee/2022 — scroll down to the “Services Rendered” category, and then select “Bank.” After you’ve voted, click the share button to tell others about the contest on Facebook and Twitter, or via email.

Voting runs through Thursday, December 1, 2022. Thanks for helping the bank be recognized among the Best of Milwaukee! •••

Lenders don’t want gift cards, and tips on holiday scams
North Shore Bank’s CrimeBusters for October 2022 are: traveling teller supervisor Tracee Born, checking services rep Renee Machado, Kenosha Central personal banker Deb Oatsvall, and Milwaukee Capitol personal banker Nazirah Tate.

Security Saves: This Month’s Highlights
A CUSTOMER HAD APPLIED for a loan online and provided the “loan company” with their online banking credentials, so that the lender could deposit the money. The customer had been told to send the amount of the deposit back to the lender in the form of gift cards — supposedly to show that they would be able to make their payments on time and also to raise their credit score.

Security says: As this article notes, only scammers ask for any kind of payment up front — for “information” or any other purpose. “Legitimate financial institutions may charge a fee for your application, appraisal or credit report, but those charges are deducted from your loan.” Let customers know they should never send gift cards or other prepaid cards to “lenders” — they’re essentially untraceable, and it’s likely the customer will not recoup the money they’ve lost.

’Tis the Season (For Scams)
With the holiday season approaching, many of us are starting to shop for gifts. Today’s technology and retailers make it easy to purchase something online and have it delivered right to your front door.

But this time of year also inevitably sees an increase in fraud and scams — like fake websites listing items at bargain prices, or text messages that say they’re about a package’s delivery status but contain malicious links. Emails or texts that demand an urgent response are a red flag. And when looking for a customer service number or other contact info, it’s best to go through the account you have set up with the merchant or to check their official website (not a link listed with an ad next to it). Never just use the phone number provided in a text or email.

Check out these articles about what else to watch out for, and share them with your customers:

FBI: Tips to Avoid Holiday Scams
BBB: Don’t click on that text! 5 ways to avoid delivery scams
WeLiveSecurity: Parcel delivery scams are on the rise: Do you know what to watch out for?

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. •••

No fee on gift cards through the end of December

Right on time for the holiday gift-giving season, North Shore Bank gift cards are available with no purchase fee through December 31. Accepted anywhere that takes Mastercard, the cards can be customized with exactly the amount you want to give. Grab a few at any of our branches, and remind your friends, family, and customers about North Shore Bank gift cards too! •••

Candy Cane Lane kicks off next Friday
What’s going on with you? If you or someone in your family has a special event — a concert, show, sporting or charity event, or another important moment — send the details to shorelines@northshorebank.com. We’ll include information about select events to let your colleagues know about all the cool stuff happening with the North Shore Bank team.

Looking for more to do? Here are suggestions from the bank’s event calendar:

North Shore Bank Night will kick off 2022’s Candy Cane Lane in West Allis on Friday, November 25. The annual neighborhood holiday-lights display will raise money through Christmas Day to help the MACC Fund fight children’s cancer. Santa Claus will be there every night from December 6 to 23. Check out candycanelanewi.com for more information, including a calendar of appearances from other local groups. •••