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

by SouthStar BankAugust 26, 2020

SouthStar Bank Then & Now: 1945

A look back on the Banking Industry 75 years ago. In 1945, The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Moulton (now SouthStar Bank) celebrated its 25th anniversary. During this time, the Bank moved into the old First State Bank of Moulton building. Elo C. Fehrenkamp also took over as Bank President during this year. By 1945, the Banking Industry had been largely affected by World War II: Large-scale war financing by the federal government led to the rise of Banking assets. The largest single operation performed by the Federal Reserve Banks was handling war savings bonds. U.S. government securities account for 57% of total banking assets. Today, SouthStar Bank continues to serve the people that make our communities shine. We invite you to join in our 100 year celebration in Moulton on October 21, 3:30-6:30PM.

Employee News

by SouthStar BankAugust 20, 2020

Welcome Amber Minnick

Amber Minnick, Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator II | SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch Branch Amber Minnick joins SouthStar Bank as Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator II at the Steiner Ranch Branch. A graduate of Sam Houston State University, Amber has spent the last eight years working in the banking industry. After spending time in financial analysis, loan management, and credit analysis, Amber is excited to specialize in commercial loans. Amber enjoys spending time on the water or outdoors with her dog, Maggie. She is a certified yoga instructor, and her biggest personal achievement is that she finished a half marathon. Welcome Amber!

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankAugust 17, 2020

Employee Spotlight – Kristy Hollis

Kristy Hollis, Assistant Vice President & Branch Manager| SouthStar Bank Round Rock Kristy Hollis joined the SouthStar Bank Round Rock team in 2019. After 18 years in banking, Kristy values the opportunity to build a rapport with her customers and help them achieve their banking goals. Over her career, Kristy has experienced many professional accomplishments, but her biggest achievement is seeing team members that she leads excel in their personal careers. Kristy’s favorite pastime is spending time with her husband and daughter. Whether their time is spent cooking, kicking the soccer ball, or playing board games, time spent together is well spent. As a mom, Kristy is involved in every activity her daughter does. Whether it is assisting with soccer or reading books to local elementary students, Kristy is there. Cruising is one of Kristy’s favorite ways to spend a family vacation. She has been on 16 cruises in her lifetime and has plans to go on many more. Being out on the water and experiencing new places with her family makes the trips even more special. Her idea of a dream retreat is to be on a huge cruise ship surrounded by beautiful crystal-clear blue water.

Bank News, Important Notice

by SouthStar BankAugust 10, 2020

How is my IRA affected by the CARES Act?

Learn about recent IRA changes Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act, several provisions were made to help those financially or medically affected through these tough times. Although the CARES Act impacted more than individual retirement accounts (IRAs), the impact on IRAs is significant. IRA owners and beneficiaries of a deceased IRA owner should be aware of these changes in relation to their unique goals and circumstances. THE 2020 REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION (RMD) HAS BEEN WAIVED IRA owners and IRA beneficiaries are not required to take a distribution. The RMD provision is applicable to any Traditional IRA, including Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) and Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers (SIMPLE) IRAs. If an IRA owner turned age 70.5 in 2019 and postponed his/her RMD after 2019 (until the required beginning date of April 1, 2020), the RMD is eligible to be waived. THE RMD ROLLOVER DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO AUGUST 31, 2020 If you have already taken your 2020 RMD, you may have the opportunity to return funds as a rollover contribution. This is also applicable to surviving spouse beneficiaries. Non-spouse surviving beneficiaries may rollover only the RMD death distribution amount received in 2020 back into the same IRA. AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWALS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REVISIONS If you previously set up an annual RMD to be automatically withdrawn, you may contact your banker to revise the schedule. In most cases, including existing SouthStar Bank IRA Accounts, if you do not request an adjustment, it will be assumed that you intend the 2020 RMD to take place even though it is not required by law. It is recommended that you consult a tax professional regarding your intentions when adjusting planned disbursements. If you have questions regarding your SouthStar Bank IRA account, we’re here to help. Please reach out by emailing contact.us@southstarbank.com or contacting your nearest SouthStar Bank branch.

Employee News

by SouthStar BankAugust 6, 2020

Welcome Courtney Schweitzer

Courtney Schweitzer, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Georgetown Branch Courtney Schweitzer is joining the SouthStar Bank team as a Personal Banker at our Georgetown location. She has two years of industry experience and is excited to bring her outside perspective and knowledge to the job. A fun fact about Courtney is that her favorite travel destination is Colorado. Welcome Courtney!

Bank News, Event

by SouthStar BankAugust 5, 2020

SouthStar Bank Then & Now: 1920

A look back on the Banking Industry 100 years ago. This year SouthStar Bank is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Bank opened its doors as The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Moulton in October of 1920. The Bank was located at the present site of Moulton City Hall, and F.T. Fehrenkamp served as President along with Rudy Jaeggli as Vice President. Banking looked a bit different back in 1920: Banks offered installment loans, mortgages, and loans to stock market speculators on 90 percent margins. Printing tabulators were introduced, which not only improved speed and accuracy of balancing vault balances, but set the stage for future technology. There were no insider-trading laws 100 years later, the SouthStar Bank headquarters remains in Moulton, TX. Mark your calendar and join us to celebrate this historical milestone on October 21! 100 S. Main St. Moulton, TX | 5-7pm

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankJuly 28, 2020

Employee Spotlight – Kristin Ross

Kristin Ross, Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator| SouthStar Bank Round Rock Kristin Ross joined SouthStar Bank as a Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator in the beginning of 2020. She offices out of our Sendero Springs Branch which is located in Round Rock. Kristin has worked in banking for a little under two years and enjoys that she is always learning something new from the industry. A career highlight for Kristin, were the efforts put in by her team to help small businesses and independent contractors get their PPP loans. When she is not at work, Kristin loves to volunteer with Texas Sled Dog Rescue, where she has adopted her two dogs from. One of her favorite moments from volunteering was being able to foster a twice returned dog until he found his forever home with her best friends. Kristin has many hobbies including hiking, sailing, water sports, woodworking, and cooking. Something that most people don’t know about Kristin is that she has lived in 7 different states, attended 8 different schools, and has moved a total of 15 time. Her idea of a dream vacation would be an around the world cruise. NMLS# 1965650

Bank News, Event

by SouthStar BankJuly 23, 2020

SouthStar Bank 100th Anniversary Book Drive

Help us reach our goal of 100 books for 100 years. Over the past 100 years SouthStar Bank has built a tradition of community service, supporting past generations and the generations to come. In honor of our 100th Anniversary, we are continuing the tradition by hosting a bank-wide book drive. Every branch has partnered with one to two schools to help add some new books to their libraries this fall. Please consider helping us reach our goal of 100 Books for 100 Years. Our book drive is running now through September 8. New and gently used books for local students will be accepted at all SouthStar Bank Branches. Bins will be placed outside each location to adhere with social distancing guidelines. If you would like to donate virtually, click on one of the participating schools below to view their Amazon Wishlist: Bremond Elementary School– Bremond Calvert Elementary School– Calvert Chandler Oaks Elementary School– Round Rock East Avenue Primary School– Gonzales Hearne Elementary School– Hearne Lake Pointe Elementary School– Austin McCasland Christian Academy– Georgetown Moulton Elementary School– Moulton Mumford Elementary School– Mumford Norman-Sims Elementary School– Austin Pleasant Hill Elementary School– Leander Richard E. Cavazos Elementary School– Nolanville Roland Reynolds Elementary School– Franklin Rooster Springs Elementary School– Austin Shiner Elementary School– Shiner St. Ludmila Elementary School– Shiner Steiner Ranch Elementary School– Austin Sycamore Springs Elementary School– Austin Wild Peach Elementary School– Brazoria

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankJuly 20, 2020

Employee Spotlight – Kimberly Moore

Kimberly Moore, Vice President and BSA & OFAC Officer| SouthStar Bank Shiner Kim Moore started her career with SouthStar Bank 18 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Kim is SouthStar Bank’s BSA & OFAC Officer as well as a Vice President. As a BSA officer, Kim makes sure that operations throughout the bank comply with the Bank Secrecy Act and on a daily basis watches over cash transactions to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary. She offices in the Shiner Branch. Achieving satisfactory scores on all exams and audits since becoming the BSA officer is one of her biggest career achievements. Kim loves working in the banking industry because of her awesome co-workers and customers. Kim is very involved in her community outside of work. She volunteers with the Shiner ISD PTO, Shiner Jr. Livestock Show, Halfmoon 4-H, the Ladies Auxiliary for the Shiner VFD, Shiner Little League, and the Shiner Youth Soccer Association. One of Kim’s most cherished moments from volunteering was helping the community of Woodsboro, TX clean up after Hurricane Harvey. Getting to see the amount of people willing to help friends, family, and complete strangers was extremely humbling. In her free time, Kim loves to spend time with her family, go to the beach, and travel. Her idea of a dream vacation is to spend a week on a secluded island living on island time, with no connection to others and a drink in hand.

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankJuly 6, 2020

Employee Spotlight – Kendra Thurman

Kendra Thurman, Mortgage Processor| SouthStar Bank Calvert Kendra Thurman joined the SouthStar Bank team last year as a Mortgage Processor. She is based at the SouthStar Bank Calvert location. Kendra began without previous experience in the banking industry but has quickly excelled in her role. She attributes this in part to the friendly and helpful people she has met while with SouthStar Bank, and truly enjoys working in the industry. Outside of work, Kendra loves to help people in any way she can. She currently volunteers with the Humane Society and the Agri Women’s Association. The most rewarding moment of volunteering for Kendra is seeing people’s faces light up when they receive the help they need. Kendra’s free time is spent with her two young daughters. When her daughters aren’t keeping her too busy, she enjoys putting her event planning skills to use – from simple birthdays to extravagant weddings. Something that most people don’t know about Kendra is that she is a minister and can perform baptisms and weddings. Kendra’s idea of a dream vacation would be sipping a drink on the white sand beach of Bora Bora.