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Danielle Sackllah, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch Branch Danielle Sackllah is joining the SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch team as a Personal Banker. This is her first time working in the banking industry and she is excited to bring her high energy to the workplace. Danielle believes her client focused attitude will help her be successful at SouthStar Bank. Welcome to the team Danielle!
Samalia Huggins, Loan Closing Coordinator | SouthStar Bank Harker Heights Branch Samalia Huggins joins the SouthStar Bank team as a Loan Closing Coordinator. She will be based in the Harker Heights Branch. Samalia brings three and a half years of experience to SouthStar Bank. She is most excited to bring her award-winning personality and drive to succeed to the SouthStar Bank team. Samalia is also looking forward to learning everything that the Bank has to offer. Samalia is a mom of three daughters and grandma to one grandson. She is originally from Wilmington, NC and has been living in Texas for the last three and a half years. During her free time, Samalia likes to cook, explore Texas, and ride the electric scooters in Downtown Austin. NMLS#1553685
Blake McNicoll, Credit Analyst | SouthStar Bank Leander Branch Blake McNicoll has worked in the banking and finance industry for over nine years. Previously working at a local CPA firm, Blake joined the SouthStar Bank team three years ago. He completed his undergrad at The University of Texas at San Antonio and received his MBA from Sam Houston State University. Blake’s favorite part about his job is his critical role in helping customers. In his community, Blake is a member of the Costal Conservation Association and Ducks Unlimited. He has also helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity and volunteered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. When he is not at work, Blake enjoys grilling, working out, and spending time with family. Blake is a big sports fan and enjoys watching his favorite teams the Houston Astros, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, and the Houston Rockets. One thing people don’t know about Blake is that he is an Eagle Scout. Blake enjoys traveling and hopes to one day take an Alaskan Cruise.
Blake Feste, Vice President of Credit Administration | SouthStar Bank Leander Branch Blake Feste is a VP of Credit Administration at our SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building in Leander. A TCU graduate, Blake has been a part of the SouthStar Bank family for over four years. Blake personally enjoys using his problem-solving skills to identify potential solutions for challenging issues and creating efficiencies for the institution. Outside of work, Blake is on the board of the Young Men’s Business League of Austin (YMBL), where he serves as Co-Chair of Programs. Through this role he coordinates member volunteering with the non-profit’s affiliated entity, the Austin Sunshine Camps (ASC), and leads fundraising efforts each year to send low-income youth to summer camp at no cost to their families. In 2019, he assisted in sending over 1,000 kids to ASC. Blake is a big sports fan and likes to spend his time watching football on Saturdays and Sundays in the fall. He also enjoys traveling and hopes to one day take a ski trip in Japan. Blake and his wife welcomed their first child in 2019.
Congratulations to Deanna Whitson, recognized as the 2019 Salado Citizen of the Year! Deanna served as the Chair for the Salado Christmas Stroll Parade and under her guidance had the largest Christmas Stroll to date. The parade had over 60 entries and overcame literal construction obstacles. Whitson also played a significant leadership role in the Salado Rotary Club’s Second Annual ‘Que on Main fundraiser which brought hundreds of visitors to Salado on Memorial Day Weekend. When describing Deanna, Awards Chairman Claire Hartman said, “This person doesn’t have to be in charge, but will be if called upon. Her desire to give and help is genuine and authentic.” Hartman also went on to say “Deanna has been in our community helping, with a big H! From Chamber event to community events.” Deanna was taken by surprise when she received the award. “I absolutely love our community, everyone in it, and our Chamber team,” Whitson said. Deanna is involved in the Salado Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. She is a proud Aggie wife and mom and loves to attend the Aggie Football games. In her free time, Deanna likes to craft, read, and make her own jewelry. She looks forward too many more adventures with the Salado Chamber and community. Read more about the Salado Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet from the Salado Village Voice. NMLS # 1103882
How Filing a Homestead Exemption Can Help Homeowners Are you a recent homeowner? A Homestead Exemption can be an excellent option to reduce your tax burden. Homestead exemptions have the potential to lower your taxes by removing part of your home’s value from taxation. From the Texas Comptroller: “For example, your home is appraised at $100,000, and you qualify for a $25,000 exemption (this is the amount mandated for school districts), you will pay school taxes on the home as if it was worth only $75,000.” While this is a law that exists in most states, property owners might not understand how the exemption works and who can claim it. In this article, we explain what a homestead exemption is, its benefits, who qualifies and how to file What is a Homestead Exemption and How Does It Work? With a homestead exemption, homeowners can deduct part of the property value from their taxes, lowering their overall tax bill. Typically, there is a fixed discount, and then the rest of the value is taxed at the normal rate. This favors homes that have a lower value. Exactly how much protection the exemption provides and how it’s applied varies by state. In some locations, the benefit is automatic. In others, including Texas, a homeowner must first file a claim with their state to be able to receive it. This means that if you’re eligible for a homestead exemption in Texas, you can potentially reduce your tax burden just by filing a claim. Other homestead exemption benefits include protection of a homeowner’s primary residence from creditors in the event of bankruptcy or a deceased spouse. It also helps the surviving spouse with continual tax relief. In addition to financial protection, this exemption offers physical shelter, in that it prevents the forced sale of the property. Benefits of Filing for a Homestead Exemption The benefits of filing for a homestead exemption include: Relief from property taxes – Since property taxes are based on the property’s assessed value, being able to reduce the home’s value on your tax statement makes the property tax significantly lower. Protection from a forced sale – Having a homestead exemption shields the property from a forced sale to pay off creditors. For example, if you had trouble paying bills, without the homestead exemption, creditors could try to seize your property to satisfy your debts. Exceptions are mortgage foreclosures and failing to pay property taxes. Advantages for a surviving spouse – Though state laws vary, in most cases, if the homeowner dies, their surviving spouse is guaranteed the right to stay in the home for their lifetime. They must, of course, continue to make mortgage and other payments in a timely manner. In Texas…. An Important Note: The homestead exemption protection from creditors will not prevent a bank from foreclosing on the home and taking possession of the property if the homeowner defaults on their mortgage payments. Who Qualifies for a Homestead Exemption? To qualify for a homestead exemption, you […]
Betty Singleton, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Calvert Branch Betty Singleton is a Personal Banker at our SouthStar Bank Calvert Branch. Betty has been a part of the SouthStar family for 30 years. Her favorite part about the job is helping customers. Outside of work, Betty is involved in multiple organizations including the Order of the Eastern Star and Aggie Moms, where she volunteers to raise money for student scholarships. Betty’s hobbies include scrap booking and traveling. Her travels include several destinations including Disney World, the Bahamas, and Africa. Betty’s dream is to one day return to Africa.
The SouthStar Bank family grew recently with the addition of eight new members to the team. Spread through multiple branches in a variety of roles each person is excited to be a part of the SouthStar Bank family. Texas State alumni, Virginia Roberts, joins the Southwest Austin Branch as a Personal Banker. Virginia is looking forward to strengthening SouthStar Bank’s customer service with her energy and enthusiasm. Kristin Ross is adding to the Sendero Springs Branch as Commercial Loan Closing Coordinator. While this is Kristin’s first time working in the banking industry, she brings seven years of real estate experience with her. She hopes to expand her skills with the knowledge she will gain working in the banking world. Another Texas State alumna joined the team as a personal banker, Jill Nava. Jill will be working at the Sendero Springs branch in Round Rock. She recently started with SouthStar Bank and is most looking forward to learning from the people around her. Joining the Leander Branch is another Personal Banker, Amanda Estrada. Amanda has two years of experience working in the banking industry and is excited to apply the skills she has obtained to a community-oriented bank. Michelle Gagin will also be working with the Leander Branch as a Senior Mortgage Processor. Michelle has two degrees in Business Management and Finance from Aurora University in Illinois. She hopes to use her twenty years of experience and knowledge to help the branch and company goals. Tyler Morgan is also beginning his career in the banking industry as a Personal Banker at the Bee Cave Branch. He plans to use his positivity, determination, and focus to elevate SouthStar Bank to the next level. Keely McCarthy joined the Southwest Austin Branch as a Marketing Intern. Keely is a Senior at Sam Houston State University studying Public Relations and Advertising. She is most excited about learning about both the marketing and banking industries. Rounding out the list of new team members is Rebecca Lloyd. Rebecca will be taking on the Vice President/Senior Commercial Underwriter role at the Steiner Ranch Branch. She received her degree from Brigham Young University, and her MBA from the University of Iowa. Rebecca is excited to meet new people and bring new customers to the bank. NMLS# 1932888 Welcome Virginia, Kristin, Jill, Amanda, Michelle, Stayton, Keely, and Rebecca!
Congratulations to Amanda Aaron on her promotion to Branch Executive! Amanda Aaron was promoted to Branch Executive at our Leander Branch. She joined SouthStar Bank last year after spending over 15 years working in commercial lending. Amanda specializes in small business lending and commercial real estate lending but has worked in a variety of other bank services. She has experience in loan production, financing owner-occupied and investment real estate, servicing and underwriting commercial credits. Amanda prides herself on helping her clients throughout the lending process. “The ability to make a customer feel comfortable about what’s to come is invaluable,” she says. She provides that comfort with her expertise and personable skills which allows her to guide her customers through every step of the loan process. While Amanda will be taking on a new role, she plans to remain active in her community. Currently, Amanda holds leadership roles with CREW Austin and her local Little League. In her free time, Amanda and her family enjoy camping, hiking, and taking on any type of outdoor adventure. NMLS # 1819235
Bo Rodman has gained extensive knowledge during his eight years in the banking industry. Spending time as both a credit analysis and a lender Rodman is excited to be a part of the SouthStar Bank team. An Austin native, Rodman is eager to share his knowledge of the area. “I enjoy relationship banking and helping achieve what is in our client’s best interest,” he says. “When I am able to approve a client’s loan that had been turned down at other banks, it is always a good feeling.” Rodman particularly enjoys learning from his clients. “The opportunity to learn how people are putting money to work in new and creative investments or business models is the most interesting part of my job,” he says. Rodman, a Texas A&M graduate, specializes in commercial lending where he has handled a wide variety of loans including spec construction loans, small business lending, accounts receivable lending, and equipment loans. Since joining the SouthStar Bank team, Bo has added consumer mortgage lending to his list of services available to his clients. Rodman is involved with multiple organizations including: Community Foundations Tax Prep, St. Luke’s UMC Board of Trustees, Bachelors of Austin, and Anthropos Arts. In his free time, he also enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, doing lawn work, and slalom skiing. NMLS #1909096
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