March 2021

Title Notes E-News
How to Use Hope to Overcome Stress and Anxiety
by LaRae Quy

The Dark Year Of Our Lord 2020 has revealed that the feeling we most yearn for in life is hope. Without it, we have no defense against despair, depression and burnout. The reason is because hope is about the future, not the crap that’s already raised its ugly head. Click HERE to learn how hope is an effective way to overcome stress and anxiety.

FTC Receives More Than 2.1M Fraud Reports in 2020
Pandemic sees increase in amount lost to fraud, according to new data
from Banking Exchange

Imposter scams remain the most common type of fraud reported to the agency, followed by online shopping fraud. Internet services; prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries; and telephone and mobile services rounded out the top five fraud categories. Consumers lost $3.3 billion to fraud in 2020, up from $1.8 billion in 2019. Nearly $1.2 billion of losses reported last year were due to imposter scams, while online shopping accounted for about $246 million in reported losses from consumers. Click HERE to learn more about the uptick in fraud reports.

What's Your Plan for Battling Synthetic Fraud?
by Bruno Dominigues & John Watkins

At the most basic level, synthetic fraud is the use of fake identities created specifically to conduct crime. A fraudster typically combines a range of data sources to create a plausible identity that checks all the right boxes for the advanced security processes and technologies already in place at financial services firms. Because there is usually no “victim” of this crime—no real person whose identity has been stolen—this type of fraud can evade financial institutions for a longer period of time than many other fraud types, thus increasing the potential threat. Sophisticated criminals can cobble together critical aspects of an identity from a variety of sources to create convincing digital profiles. Click HERE to learn about the analytics tools available for targeting these criminals.
Welcome to the BTS Team
Mary Crawford - Settlement Processor
Mary Crawford joined the Bankers Title Shenandoah team in February as a Settlement Processor. Mary brings several years’ experience in the mortgage field from loan preparation to servicing loans long after closure. Mary moved to Virginia in 2019 from her native California for Love. She lives happily in Stuart’s Draft with Peter and Pea Pod. Please join us welcoming Mary by sending her an EMAIL.
Wanda Dixon - Real Estate Closer
Wanda Dixon is presently a Real Estate Closer, taking classes to be a Title Underwriter. She joined the Bankers Title Shenandoah team in December, 2020. Wanda formerly worked for a real estate attorney, and has been a title researcher and legal runner for several area companies. She attended Community College and has achieved many real estate CE certificates. Her hobbies include kayaking, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family, and “fur grandbabies” Yin and Bella. Wanda is a native of Nelson County, Virginia. Please join us welcoming Wanda by sending her an EMAIL.
Claire O'Connor - Settlement Post Closer
Claire O'Connor joined the Bankers Title Shenandoah team in February as a Settlement Post-Closer. She is a long-time resident of the Shenandoah Valley. Claire is a graduate of Buffalo Gap High School. She brings over 15 years experience in banking. Claire currently lives in Staunton. Please join us welcoming Claire by sending her an EMAIL.
Emma Trimble - Order Processor
Emma Trimble joined the Bankers Title Shenandoah team as an order processor in February. She is a recent graduate from the University of Virginia with a degree in history. Emma comes to BTS with seven years of customer service experience. Her hobbies include kayaking, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Emma is a native to Nelson County, and currently resides in Nellysford with her cat, Sam. Please join us welcoming Emma by sending her an EMAIL.
The Devastating Side Effect From Working Remotely No One is Talking About
by Kyle Schnitzer

Researchers found that Americans are spending an average of six hours per day sitting, four more hours than before the pandemic started last March. “Longer time spent in sedentary posture is significantly associated with larger waist circumference, higher triglycerides (fat in the blood) and lower HDL cholesterol, all adding up to worse risk of heart disease. The levels associated with zero risk factors were walking more than 15,000 steps per day, which is equivalent to walking seven to eight miles, or spending seven hours per day upright,” said Dr. William Tigbe from the Warwick Medical School in a statement. Click HERE to read more.

Expanding Opportunities for Neurodiverse Colleagues
by Krista Deguffroy

When looking at the growing role that diversity, equity, inclusion and most importantly, belonging, play in the financial services industry, opportunities continue to emerge. But perhaps what’s even more exciting is that the strong current of change is being driven by employees who proactively turn an idea into a process, program or opportunity without ever being asked to do so.
Terms like “neurotypical” and “neurodiverse” are often heard in conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion. But what do these mean? Click HERE to learn more.


Where Customer and Employee Needs Intersect Post-COVID
by Kurt Schroeder and Jamie Gomoll

When we emerge out of the pandemic into the new post-COVID world, it’s important to examine the crossroads of what both customers and employees need from their banks and credit unions. Understanding that the employees’ experience is intrinsically linked to the customer experience will be key. Leaders of these organizations must recognize and adapt to the interdependencies of these two important groups in order to ensure excellent customer experience moving forward. Click HERE to learn more.

How Negotiation Skills Help Leaders Defuse Work Conflicts
by Mary Olson-Menzel & Mel Shahbazian

An important, and sometimes overlooked, leadership skill is the ability to navigate difficult conversations and achieve outcomes that are perceived as a win-win. Both sides come out having given up something and having gained something, too. Ruffled feathers are smoothed. Trust is established. Esprit de corps is achieved. This kind of masterful conflict resolution is really a form of negotiation. Click HERE to learn how to fine tune your negotiation skills for a better outcome.

Why Every Buyer Needs an Owner's Policy
Owner's Policy Comparison Chart
Protect Your Clients From Wire Fraud
Butch Rutherford
Vice President & Agency Manager
Bankers Title Shenandoah, LLC
20 Bobby's Way, Suite 101
Staunton, VA 24401
Phone: 1.888.437.9560 | 540.437.9560
 
Integrity. Security. Excellence

Bankers Title Shenandoah, LLC is a FULL SERVICE Title & Settlement Agency offering settlement services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and Title Services in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland.
We are committed to maintaining customer satisfaction by delivering quality title insurance products and closing services in an accurate and timely manner. Our professionalism, technical knowledge and experience provide security as we insure protection for your most valued investment.