SouthStar Bank 100-Year History
An overview of the last 100 years.
SouthStar Bank opened its doors as The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Moulton in 1920 with the motto Safety, Strength and Service. Sixty-one years after opening, The Farmers and Merchants State Bank changed its name to Moulton State Bank in 1981. That same year, the Raymond G. Schindler family of Houston, TX purchased controlling interest in the Bank through holding company Southern Bancshares, Inc., which still holds majority interest today. The purchase supplemented the holding company’s acquisitions of First State Bank of Bremond in 1973 and Lott State Bank in 1975.
The Bank’s name was once again changed nine years later to the First State Bank of Moulton in 1990. The name change represented the historical significance of the original banks of Moulton. The historic “Boehm Mercantile Store” was purchased soon after for conversion into expanded headquarters where the bank still operates today.
Due to the bank’s friendly and flexible brand of community-style banking, the bank expanded into neighboring communities and counties, opening a new branch in Shiner, TX in June 1997, followed by one in Gonzales, TX in February 2005. Around the same time, a Loan Production Office was opened in Austin, representing the Bank’s entry into a growing urban market.
In 2004 the Bank’s name was changed to Lone Star Bank, S.S.B. to better reflect the bank’s expanding regional presence in Texas. Another decade of growth ensued as the holding company expanded into more urban markets, including the construction of several flagship facilities in the Austin area under the Lone Star and First Star brands.
Operations under the current name, SouthStar Bank, S.S.B., began on January 1, 2015 following the merger of Lone Star, First Star and Texas Star banks. The name SouthStar Bank was ultimately selected for its strong reference to the bank’s deep southern heritage, warm hospitality, and recognition as a bright star in the communities it serves.
David R. Kapavik, previous President of Lone Star Bank, was named President and CEO. Kapavik continues to lead the organization with the current executive team: Billy Fleming, EVP & National Sales Manager for Mortgage Warehousing; Brent Gibbs, EVP & Chief Lending Officer; Cole Schindler, EVP & Strategic Development Officer; Jo Ann Biezenski, EVP, Compliance Manager & Director; Kevin Knesek, EVP & Chief Operations Officer; Lori Singleton, EVP, Chief Loan Administration Officer & Special Projects Manager; and Robert Simper, EVP & Chief Financial Officer. Former First Star Bank President Norman Koch, now retired, serves as Business Development Advisor.
Today, SouthStar Bank operates 15 full-service branches across the Central Texas region and specializes in residential mortgage, real estate and construction lending. Since opening in 1920, the Bank continues to focus on community values and personal relationships coupled with flexible, common-sense lending.
“Starting from humble beginnings as Farmers and Merchants Bank, we have grown not only in numbers, but also in talent, services and communities. SouthStar Bank has remained true to its community banking roots, growing to over $1 billion dollars in assets over the past 100 years. I would like to thank all our loyal customers who have been with us for so many years. Your trust and support have always been the biggest drivers for our continued growth.” said Kapavik.
