SouthStar Bank, Author at SouthStar Bank, S.S.B.

by SouthStar BankFebruary 18, 2022

Welcome Back Brianna Bracamontez

Brianna Bracamontez, Junior Credit Analyst | SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building Welcome back Brianna Bracamontez! After working as a Banking Intern at the Georgetown location in the summer of 2021, Brianna is returning to SouthStar Bank as a Junior Credit Analyst based in the Leander Loan Administration Building. A recent graduate from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, she is looking forward to aiding in the continuous growth of the bank. Away from the bank, Brianna enjoys spending time with her friends, traveling, reading, and running.

Employee News

by SouthStar BankFebruary 17, 2022

Welcome Dawson Sulak

Dawson Sulak, Junior Credit Analyst | SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building Dawson Sulak is joining the SouthStar Bank team as a Junior Credit Analyst. He will be based in the Loan Administration Building in Leander. Dawson is a graduate of Texas State University and is excited to bring his energy and hard work to the team. During his free time, Dawson likes to golf and travel. His favorite travel destination is Whistler Ski Resort in Whistler, British Columbia where he enjoys snowboarding. Welcome Dawson!

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankFebruary 16, 2022

Employee Spotlight- Claudia Gonzales

Claudia Gonzales, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Kerrville Claudia Gonzales has been in the banking industry for the last four years. She currently serves as a Personal Banker, based in the SouthStar Bank Kerrville location. One of Claudia’s biggest professional accomplishments was when she won the 2021 Best Teller award in the Best of Kerrville awards. “I always try to leave my customers happy and super satisfied. Knowing that they have had that positive experience enough times to vote for me makes me proud,” she says. Helping her customers is one of Claudia’s favorite things about her job. Getting to listen to their unique stories and assist with their banking needs always makes Claudia’s day. In her time away from work, Claudia enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies. One of her favorite hobbies is catching up on the latest movies and television series. She particularly enjoys watching features that involve paranormal activity. If Claudia could meet one person dead or alive she would choose her favorite actor, Gary Oldman.

Bank News, Employee News

by SouthStar BankFebruary 10, 2022

Congratulations Amanda Aaron! 2022 Emerging SBA Lender of the Year

Amanda Aaron has been named a 2022 Emerging SBA Lender of the Year by Coleman Publishing, which is a Nationally recognized publication of SBA information to small business bankers. Amanda joined SouthStar Bank in July 2019, bringing in over 15 years of financial experience to the team. Beginning her career in credit and quickly working her way up to a seasoned loan officer, Amanda expertly guides her clients through the entire lending process and makes them feel comfortable in what can seem a daunting endeavor. Amanda is levelheaded, compassionate, and practical when it comes to SBA lending. She takes the time to learn the client’s business and identify the best loan option for their financial needs. Keeping the borrower’s utmost success in mind, she quickly becomes a trusted advisor and partner. With small-town roots, Amanda is passionate about small business and its crucial effect on main street America. This passion drives her ongoing pursuit to be the subject matter expert for all things SBA, even in an ever-changing environment. This was especially crucial during the frenzy of PPP lending where Amanda remained up to date on the latest guidelines. As a valued member of the SouthStar Bank SBA Team, Amanda actively shares her knowledge with new and seasoned loan officers. Amanda is a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the Central Texas Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (CTAGGL). Coleman Publishing is the leading provider of information to small business bankers. They produce and distribute training courses, webinars, and newsletters to help assist small business bankers in their lending decisions. Every year Coleman Publishing hosts the SBA Lender Professional Awards to honor SBA lenders and their exceptional contributions to the SBA lending community. Congratulations Amanda! Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 1819235

Employee News

by SouthStar BankFebruary 8, 2022

Welcome Miguel De La Riva

Miguel De La Riva, Vice President of Lending | SouthStar Bank Leander Miguel De La Riva is a Vice President of Lending serving both the communities of Leander and Harker Heights. With over 20 years of industry experience, Miguel has funded everything from small business loans, home loans for first-time buyers, and multi-million-dollar commercial real estate transactions. Most recently he led a team of lenders in originating international mortgages for United States citizens. He specializes in using his strong analytical and problem-solving skills to find solutions for complex loans. “ I always look forward to helping more people accomplish their goals and realize their dreams,” he says. “Helping the clients who were told ‘it cannot be done by everyone else is one of the best parts of my job.” Miguel is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and bilingual in Spanish. He enjoys serving his community and looks forward to getting involved with the local charities and organizations. Outside of work, Miguel enjoys spending his time in the great outdoors enjoying various bodies of water with his dogs and family. Welcome Miguel! NMLS# 980470

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankFebruary 7, 2022

Employee Spotlight- Christine McGinnis

Christine McGinnis, Senior Mortgage Processor | SouthStar Bank Leander Christine McGinnis has worked in the banking and finance industry for over six years. With SouthStar Bank for the last year and a half, Christine quickly made an impact as a Senior Mortgage Processor. In her first full year with the bank, she was recognized by the executive team for her hard work and dedication and was awarded the Rising Star award for the support lending team. Christine’s favorite part about her job is building relationships with and helping customers through the loan process. In her community, Christine is a member of Bulverde United Methodist Church. When she is not at work, Christine enjoys walking, playing with her dog Milo, traveling, and spending time with her family. Christine’s favorite destination that she has traveled to are the four major Hawaiian islands. Each island’s uniqueness and beauty made the trip extra special. An interesting fact about Christine is that she loves riding roller coasters! A Harry Potter fan, her favorite rollercoaster is Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure at the Universal Studios Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida. NMLS# 2026848

Employee News

by SouthStar BankJanuary 28, 2022

Welcome Martin Aechternacht

Martin Aechternacht, Mortgage Loan Officer | SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin Martin Aechternacht is located at the SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin Branch as a Mortgage Loan Officer. An alum of Texas Tech and Texas State University, Martin has spent the last six years in the banking industry focusing on mortgage lending. For Martin, the best part of his job is sitting at the closing table with his clients while they realize their dreams of homeownership. He is always ready to serve his community and find new places to leave his size 14 footprint behind. Martin currently specializes in VA, Jumbo, and Conventional home loans. “I treat all of my customers with the same respect and dedication,” he says. “No home is too small or large. I will get the job done.” In his community, Martin is a member of the Texas Tech University alumni group and San Marcos Food Drive. An avid Dallas Cowboys fan, he is also a member of the Dallas Cowboys group in Lakeway. Martin likes to spend his time outside of the office snowboarding, doing cross-fit, playing golf, and hanging out on Lake Travis. Welcome Martin! NMLS# 1429303

Employee News

by SouthStar BankJanuary 26, 2022

Welcome Ryan Newton

Ryan Newton, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Leander Ryan Newton joins SouthStar Bank as a Personal Banker at our Leander location. Ryan graduated from Sam Houston State University in December 2021 with his BBA in Banking and Finance Institutions. He is excited to gain industry experience and bring his love for finance and keen people skills to the Leander operations team. In his free time, Ryan enjoys being outdoors salt-water fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. Welcome Ryan!

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankJanuary 25, 2022

Employee Spotlight- Cecilia Ramos Vazquez

Cecilia Ramos Vazquez, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Gonzales Cecilia Ramos Vazquez is a Personal Banker at our SouthStar Bank Gonzales Branch. She joined the team in 2021 and has quickly slid in as one of the family. In her short time with the bank, Cecilia has most enjoyed learning about the banking industry as a whole. When she’s not at work, Cecilia enjoys going dancing, doing yoga, and spending time with her nieces. One of her favorite pastimes is using her sewing machine to tailor her clothing. A lover of art, if she had the choice to meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, Cecilia would choose Frida Kahlo so that she could discuss the inspiration behind some of her most controversial pieces.

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankJanuary 20, 2022

Employee Spotlight- Carla Meisetschleager

Carla Meisetschleager, Vice President/Branch Manager | SouthStar Bank Moulton Carla Meisetschleager is a Vice President and the Branch Manager at the SouthStar Bank Moulton Branch. She has been a part of the SouthStar Bank family for the last 31 years. During her long tenure in the banking industry, Carla has enjoyed meeting and assisting her many coworkers and customers, who she now considers all as friends. One of Carla’s biggest career achievements is being promoted to her current role of Branch Manager. Outside of work, Carla is a member of her local chapter of Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Members of CDA help administer scholarship programs, manage charity donations, and are helping hands amongst the community. As a cancer survivor of 26 years, Carla is also heavily involved in fundraising for cancer research. Some of her favorite organizations to support are the Lavaca County Relay for Life and Team ReJoyce. Carla also enjoys fishing, boating, gardening, traveling, and most of all taking care of her grandchildren. An interesting fact about Carla is that she is an avid fan of country music and the first concert she ever attended was to see George Strait. A fan to this day, if she could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, Carla would choose King George.