December 2025 - SouthStar Bank, S.S.B.

by SouthStar BankDecember 23, 2025

Employee Awards & Anniversaries 2025

RIDE FOR THE BRAND The Ride for the Brand award recognizes those individuals who have gone above and beyond to uphold the SouthStar Bank brand. In the cowboy days, when you worked for a big ranch or participated in a trail drive, the cowboy was loyal to the Brand he “rode for.” Guys that rode for the brand had deep connections representing the ranch that transcended their daily work. To strengthen our culture, we continue to need employees that are a good example of this type of steadfast loyalty and who support our mission, vision, and values. Loan Officer- Ivan Garcia Operations- Davonica Rembert Support Operations- Jeremy Bernal Support Lending- Melissa Greger RIDE FOR THE BRAND NOMINEES: Tracy Talkington, Kimberly Watson, Ivan Garcia, Anthony Albino, Davonica Rembert, Kali Gaskill, Jeremy Bernal, Lucia Fernandez, Amy Coldeway, Felicia Hamilton, Melissa Greger, Christine McGinnis STAR LEADER The Star Leader award is a special award given to applaud and promote the work and contributions of our most senior team. These individuals articulate a compelling vision for the institution and have inspired others to that vision. They actively support all aspects of our Bank’s advancement and show the highest commitment to professional growth. Recipients deserve exceptional notice and praise. Gary Mobbs Roni Nickelson Sam Bell TRAIL BOSS We also wanted to recognize a few individuals who have stepped up in their leadership roles. On a cattle drive, Trail Boss is the one in charge of the entire operation – keeping track of all the different elements of the drive, selecting routes, and making key decisions. Our Trail Boss awards go to those who have helped guide our teams, selected routes for new and expanded operations, and supported key initiatives to exceed expectations. We can all agree that this year brought many new challenges, and the executive team appreciates those who helped set the path for success. Kacy Kirk Stephanie Nevlud Pam Browning Dawn Embry PRESIDENT’S AWARD This prestigious recognition is awarded by the bank president, David Kapavik, to the individual he and the executive team feel has made the strongest contribution to the organization over the past year. They review many aspects including performance, leadership, service, and related organizational benefits. Keely McCarthy Jo Ann Biezenski Greg Vesely Doug Foster RISING STAR AWARD These individuals have been with the bank for less than two years, but have already made our star shine brighter. These emerging leaders were selected by the executive committee in each department because of their exceptional growth and contributions to the organization, as well as increased levels of leadership, responsibility, and sphere of impact. Operations- Jean Ann McCarthy Support Lending- Robert Gordon Support Operations- Chris Benavides INVESTAR SUPERSTAR This award recognizes one individual who has embraced our partnership with Hilltop Securities. We look forward to the continued growth of this relationship and the benefits it provides for our clients. Stephanie Chaffin COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SouthStar Bank takes great pride in supporting our communities. The Community Involvement Award recognizes one recipient in each of our […]

Employee News

by SouthStar BankDecember 23, 2025

Congratulations Tracy Talkington! New Branch Executive & Senior Vice President of Lending

Tracy Talkington has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Lending and Branch Executive at the SouthStar Bank Round Rock branch. Tracy has spent the last two years with SouthStar Bank as a Vice President of Lending, with 5 years of total lending experience alongside 13 years in real estate as a realtor and business manager. In her new role, Tracy is focused on working alongside her team to grow deposits and loans, support day-to-day operations, and strengthen their presence in the Round Rock community, all while delivering an excellent client experience! Tracy currently serves as Vice President of Membership for Professional Women of Williamson County (PWOW), a local organization that connects, supports, and empowers women through professional development, leadership, and community involvement. Tracy also recently completed the Round Rock Chamber’s Leadership Program, a year-long program designed to develop community leaders while building strong relationships across the Round Rock business and nonprofit community. Outside of the office, Tracy can be found tending to her garden, working on home projects, or travelling with her husband to keep up with all their kids’ activities. Congratulations Tracy!

General Education

by SouthStar BankDecember 20, 2025

Snowball vs Avalanche: Two Smart Ways to Pay Off Debt

Managing debt is always a great financial resolution, but finding the right repayment strategy is vital to making sure you accomplish your goals. Two of the most effective and widely recommended approaches are the snowball and avalanche debt repayment methods. At SouthStar Bank, we believe understanding your options is the first step toward long-term financial success. The Snowball Method: Build Momentum with Quick Wins The snowball method prioritizes paying off debts from the smallest balance to the largest. You make minimum payments on all accounts and apply any extra funds to your smallest debt first. Once it’s paid off, you roll that payment into the next smallest balance. This approach is popular because it delivers quick victories, helping people stay motivated and committed to their debt payoff plan. The Avalanche Method: Save More on Interest Over Time The avalanche method focuses on interest rates rather than balances. With this strategy, you target debts with the highest interest rates first while continuing minimum payments on the rest. Over time, this approach typically reduces the total interest paid and can help you become debt-free faster. It’s an ideal option for those focused on long-term savings and financial efficiency. Which Debt Repayment Method Is Best for You? Both methods are effective and offer their own benefits; the right choice depends on your financial goals and personal motivation style. Whether you’re seeking momentum or maximum interest savings, consistency is the key to success! At SouthStar Bank, our team is here to help provide you with the right knowledge and tools your repayment strategy, making paying off debt feel more achievable and building your financial stability for the years to come!

Savings

by SouthStar BankDecember 17, 2025

10 Ways to Maximize Your Savings in 2026

Your finances are constantly evolving, and your savings plan should be no different. 2026 is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your savings strategy! Whether you’re building an emergency fund, planning for a home or major purchase, or preparing for the future, small habits can make a significant impact over time. Here are ten practical ways to maximize your savings in 2026, with guidance to help you make the most of your money at SouthStar Bank. 1. Set Clear Savings Goals It is essential to start your savings journey by clearly defining what you’re saving for. Whether it’s a fund for emergencies, travel, a home, or retirement, clear goals help you stay motivated and choose the proper savings accounts to support your plans. A great way to set realistic savings goals is by using the S.M.A.R.T. method. Specific – clearly state your goal (e.g., how much you want to save each month) Measurable – ensure you can measure your success (e.g., savings growth) Attainable – set goals you know you can achieve Relevant – set goals pertinent to your needs Time-Based – set a clear deadline for the goal Basing your goals on the S.M.A.R.T. method will ensure they are attainable and increase your chances of achieving savings success. 2. Automate Your Savings Automating your savings is one of the easiest ways to ensure you stay on track with your savings goals. Setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account at SouthStar Bank is easy and available to all customers through our online banking platform. 3. Take Advantage of Account Alerts It can be challenging to stay on top of spending when there are so many purchases and recurring payments coming out of your account. An excellent way for SouthStar Bank customers to combat this is to use Secure Alerts through the online banking portal. Secure Alerts allows you to stay in control of your money with real-time account alerts covering: Debit Card Purchases Balance Alert ATM Withdrawal Cleared Checks 4. Review and Adjust Your Budget It is essential to review your budget and spending habits from 2025 and work to identify areas where you can cut back. Minor adjustments to your spending habits can add up to a significant amount by the end of the year. 5. Build or Strengthen Your Emergency Fund Financial experts recommend saving three to six months of expenses. Keeping your emergency fund in a FDIC-insured savings account at SouthStar Bank provides peace of mind and easy access when needed. 6. Reduce Debt to Increase Savings Power High-interest debt can be a lingering hindrance to your savings. Prioritizing high-interest debts, such as credit card debt or personal loans, can be a great way to free up money for future savings. 7. Separate Short-Term and Long-Term Savings Staying organized with your finances is vital to accurately tracking your savings goals. Having separate accounts for different savings goals can be a great way to keep things in order. For example, […]

Checking, Savings

by SouthStar BankDecember 4, 2025

Checking vs Savings Accounts: What’s the Difference?

When you’re building a strong financial foundation, one of the first steps is understanding the difference between a checking account and a savings account. Although both are essential banking tools, they serve very different purposes. It is important to understand the key differences between these accounts and how SouthStar Bank can help you choose the right accounts for your financial needs. What Is a Checking Account? A checking account is best for everyday money management. It’s designed for frequent transactions, such as paying bills, making debit card purchases, and receiving direct deposits. Key features of checking accounts at SouthStar Bank include: Unlimited transactions Online and mobile banking Debit card access Options like our Star Free Checking with no monthly service charge and no minimum daily balance Because checking accounts prioritize easy access, they typically offer little or no interest. Their main advantage is flexibility, allowing you to manage daily finances with minimal restrictions. What Is a Savings Account? A savings account is meant for storing and growing money over time. It’s ideal for building emergency funds, large purchases, or long-term savings goals. SouthStar Bank’s savings options include: Traditional Savings Accounts with a modest minimum balance requirement Money Market Savings Accounts with higher interest potential and higher balance requirements Health Savings Accounts with unique advantages for those enrolled in High Deductible Health Plans Savings accounts are structured for less frequent withdrawals, making them perfect for setting money aside rather than using it for daily spending. Checking vs. Savings: The Key Differences When comparing checking and savings accounts, the main differences center on usage, accessibility, and earning potential. Purpose Checking: Best for day-to-day banking and frequent transactions Savings: Designed for long-term money accumulation and achieving financial goals Access to Funds Checking: Unlimited access, ideal for regular spending Savings: Limited withdrawals encourage saving rather than spending Interest Rates Checking: Usually non-interest or low interest Savings: Typically pays interest, helping your money grow Fees & Requirements Checking: SouthStar Bank offers no-fee and low-fee options with no minimum balances Savings: These accounts often require minimum balances to avoid service charges Which Account Do You Need? Many people benefit from using both accounts strategically. Use your checking account for bills, income deposits, and everyday expenses. Use your savings account to build financial security, reach long-term goals, and earn interest. If you receive your direct deposit (or other consistent deposits) to your checking account, setting up recurring transfers from checking to savings can help automate your financial growth and keep spending in check. Why Choose SouthStar Bank? SouthStar Bank combines modern digital banking tools with personalized service you can only find at a community bank. From checking and savings to everything in between, SouthStar offers accounts designed to support your financial life at every stage! Ready to get started? Have any questions? Reach out to your local branch today!