August 2021 - SouthStar Bank, S.S.B.

by SouthStar BankAugust 31, 2021

Welcome Kandice Bethke

Kandice Bethke, Vice President of Lending | SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin Kandice Bethke is a Vice President of Lending in the Fredericksburg area. Working in the industry for the last 15 years, Kandice started her career in a teller position and was quickly promoted up the ranks to customer service representative, Lending Assistant, trainer, loan officer, Market Manager, and now Vice President of Lending. Kandice has worked with multiple types of loans in her past roles, including portfolio, mortgage, and commercial. In her community, Kandice has been on the board of her local Habitat of Humanity chapter for the last two years and recently became the President in 2020. “It is amazing to see so many people come together to help a family in need,” says Kandice. When not at work, Kandice enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their three children. Some of their favorite activities include fishing and kayaking. Welcome Kandice!

Bank News, Important Notice, Press Release

by SouthStar BankAugust 27, 2021

SouthStar Bank Acquires Community First National Bank, Kerrville Branch

It’s Official: SouthStar Bank Joins the Kerrville Community MOULTON, TX, August 27, 2021 – SouthStar Bank has purchased the Kerrville branch of Community First National Bank with the full approval of the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The branch, located at 1101 Junction Highway in Kerrville, TX, will be open for business as a SouthStar Bank branch on Monday, August 30th. The community is invited to attend a ribbon cutting celebration on September 24th at 3:30 PM. BBQ will be served and there will be live music from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to all. SouthStar Bank has been a fixture in Texas banking since 1920. It’s headquartered in Moulton, TX and now has 16 locations throughout Central Texas (including the new Kerrville branch). According to SouthStar Bank President & CEO David Kapavik, the sale represented a strategic initiative for both organizations. “The Kerrville branch is a perfect fit. Community First National Bank built a strong reputation for local, friendly service. These values are in line with SouthStar Bank’s mission to provide friendly, flexible, common-sense financial solutions—Texas style! Their values are aligned with ours as a true community bank. We are excited to grow the Bank’s footprint into the Hill Country area.” SouthStar Bank retained the Community First National Bank Kerrville team at the branch, including Brittany Selement (Personal Banker), Claudia Gonzales (Personal Banker), Jeffery Harris (Vice President of Lending), Donny Lehmann (Vice President of Lending), Kent McKinney (Business Development Advisor), Kyla Gesell (AVP/Branch Manager), Meghan Jackson (Personal Banker), Sche Kehner (Personal Banker), Shelby Mossman (Loan Assistant), and Sherri Steadham (Loan Assistant). When speaking of the Kerrville team, Kapavik said: “The local team is strong, helping to make the transition as seamless as possible both internally and for the new clients we are bringing into the SouthStar Bank family.” Kent McKinney, Business Development Advisor and former Community First National Bank Senior VP feels the team will be in great hands. “During the transition, I have had the opportunity to meet many of the SouthStar Bank people, from owners, to managers, to staff members at several levels. Without exception they are some of the nicest, most pleasant, most dedicated individuals you could hope to meet. There will always be some changes resulting from this kind of transition, but what you won’t see is a decrease in friendly, efficient customer service.” McKinney notes that the staff has been looking forward to the change, and praises SouthStar Bank for the investments they’ve made in local nonprofit organizations. “SouthStar Bank looks forward to a long-term presence,” adds Kapavik. “Extending our 100-year history of helping local residents reach their financial goals.” For more information, visit https://southstarbank.com//. * * * ABOUT SOUTHSTAR BANK SouthStar Bank, S.S.B., specializes in residential mortgage, real estate, and construction lending, operating 16 full-service branches across the Central Texas region. Established in 1920, the bank continues to focus on community involvement and personal relationships. […]

Bank News

by SouthStar BankAugust 20, 2021

Congratulations Amber Minnick! New Portfolio Manager II

Congratulations to Amber Minnick on her promotion to Portfolio Manager II! Amber Minnick has been promoted to Portfolio Manager II for our Specialty CRE Team. She joined SouthStar Bank in 2020 and made an immediate impact on the team, closing over 180-unit loans and reorganizing the Homebuilder Finance department. Amber will continue to manage the builder lines of credit and oversee the procedures and processes for HBF. She will also manage the closings for lot development loans, review the quarterly loan covenants, and complete quarterly market analyses for the portfolio. Amber is the most excited to develop a deeper understanding of the acquisition and development process of Homebuilder markets in her new role. Amber enjoys spending her free time with her boyfriend and their families. Some of their favorite activities include boating on Lake Travis, taking road trips, and visiting local Hill Country wineries, breweries, and distilleries. NMLS # 2026848

Employee News

by SouthStar BankAugust 13, 2021

Welcome Liz Radvansky

Liz Radvansky, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Bee Cave The SouthStar Bank Bee Cave location has added Liz Radvansky to the team. Liz is joining the team as a Personal Banker and brings over nine years of industry experience. She is eager to bring her expertise and positive attitude to her role. Away from the bank, Liz loves to spend her time outside. Some of her favorite outdoor activities include golfing, hiking, swimming, and bird watching. Welcome Liz!

Bank News

by SouthStar BankAugust 12, 2021

Congratulations Alexis Michael! 2021 Emerging Leader Honoree

AUSTIN August 11, 2021 – Alexis Michael of SouthStar Bank has been selected as an Emerging Leader in the banking industry by the Texas Bankers Foundation and will be honored at the Texas Bankers Association’s 136th Annual Convention in Austin during a special awards luncheon on August 26. “Alexis is not a self-proclaimed great leader. Instead, she leads by example and doesn’t ask her team to do anything that she isn’t willing to do including catching a few hours of sleep on a cot during the PPP application process and waking up and working a full day again,” said David Kapavik, SouthStar Bank CEO & President. Launched in 2019 by the Texas Bankers Foundation in collaboration with the Bank Leadership Council, the Emerging Leader Award honors bankers who have had a positive impact on the banking industry and who represent the best values of Texas community banking. Alexis worked her way up in the banking industry with a passion for helping people starting as a Teller in 1999. She was initially hired as a Branch Executive and SBA Director and took a branch that was struggling to meet it’s aggressive financial and efficiency goals to a branch that met each goal in a short time frame. Later she was promoted to her current role of Regional Credit Manager mentoring and leading a Loan Officer production team at four branches. To be honored, bankers must have five years of experience in banking, be an employee of a TBA member banking institution and be nominated by the bank president, CEO or board chairman. “We are both excited and very proud to recognize the 2021 Emerging Leader Award recipients and our third class of honorees,” said Chris Furlow, president & CEO of the Texas Bankers Association. “This diverse group of outstanding bankers will help lead the Texas banking industry into the future and we’re thrilled to celebrate the work they’re doing throughout the state of Texas.” For 32 years, the Texas Bankers Association and Foundation have honored those who have served in the banking industry for 50 years or more. The Foundation has since expanded its awards portfolio to recognize banks and TBA members who give back to the community, promote financial literacy and showcase excellence in their fields.