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

by SouthStar BankMay 15, 2024

What to Know About the Portfolio Loan Option?

Struggling to get approved for a traditional mortgage loan? Then a portfolio loan might be the the option to help you pave your path to home ownership. Understanding the basics of a portfolio loan can help you become a homeowner or extend your real estate investment holdings. A Portfolio Loan: What Is It? A portfolio loan is a kind of mortgage that a lender would originate and keep in their “portfolio” instead of selling it to a secondary market like a traditional mortgage loan. Due to this process, the lender is able to set more flexible terms for the mortgage, which are frequently to the borrower’s advantage. This allows prospective homeowners who are having trouble being approved for a traditional mortgage accomplish their dreams of homeownership. In the majority of conventional mortgage loan scenarios, banks and credit unions use a set of governmental guidelines to underwrite and create loans. These rules place minimum down payment requirements, maximum loan amounts, particular debt-to-income ratios, and other constraints on potential borrowers. However, the criteria for awarding portfolio loans can differ significantly, which allows the lender to find the loan solution that is most ideal for their client. Portfolio Loans Pros No matter which financial lender originates and underwrites a portfolio loan, the product will always offer certain advantages like: The Function of Portfolio Loans Portfolio loans typically have higher loan interest rates and origination fees in exchange for having fewer strict loan approval standards. They might also have restrictions on flexibility and prepayment fees. Lenders frequently seek a higher interest rate on a portfolio loan product since they are free to use any criteria they choose when deciding whether to underwrite the loan. If you’re having difficulties acquiring a standard loan because of a poor credit score, a troubled credit history, or the fact that you’re self-employed, a portfolio loan might be the best option for you. It might also be a possibility if your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is high, you need a loan for a home in less-than-ideal shape, or the purchase price exceeds the loan’s maximum amount. Homebuyers who use a portfolio loan should anticipate a quicker approval process, less stringent upfront conditions, and better customer support from their portfolio lender, who will handle the loan’s direct servicing. Additionally, they should expect higher origination and interest rates, as well as less flexibility with their repayment timeline. You might want to discuss if a portfolio loan makes sense for you before submitting an application with a mortgage broker, an accounting professional, or a financial expert. The Bottom Line Portfolio loans might be a useful instrument for real estate financing because they aren’t meant for resale and don’t have to meet as strict eligibility rules as traditional mortgages. In some cases, borrowers may find them to be more alluring than conventional loan options. However, compared to conventional mortgages, portfolio loans frequently have higher interest rates and fees. Keely Notes: I have edited this article. Please go back and review the flow of the […]

Employee News

by SouthStar BankMay 8, 2024

Welcome Carlton Payne

Carlton Payne, Senior Loan Officer & Mortgage Production Manager | SouthStar Bank Carlton Payne joins SouthStar Bank as a Senior Loan Officer and Mortgage Production Manager. Carlton brings with him more than a decade of experience in the mortgage industry with his focuses primarily residing in Portfolio and Secondary Financing. Leveraging his specialized knowledge of Secondary and Jumbo Mortgages, Carlton has become a go-to resource for clients seeking to get their mortgage approved. His efforts have been recognized at previous institutions with multiple top performer trips awarded based around production. Carlton appreciates that mortgages are often associated with major life milestones and finds it incredibly fulfilling to be able to help individuals and families navigate the complex process of securing a mortgage to purchase their dream home. He looks forward to building new relationships within the community and cultivating these relationships to develop a strong network. When Carlton finds time away from the office, he can be found spending time with his wife and two children or enjoying a nice day on the golf course. NMLS#858608

Bank News, Employee News

by SouthStar BankApril 17, 2024

Congratulations Bill Staley! New Branch Executive & Senior Vice President of Lending

Bill Staley has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Lending and Branch Executive of the SouthStar Bank Round Rock branch. Bill has spent just over three years with SouthStar Bank and holds a quarter century of experience in the banking industry. Well versed in all types of lending, Bill holds a great deal of experience in Commercial and Industrial Lending. He is also a strong advocate for small businesses and possesses a strong understanding of the various SBA Loan Programs offered by SouthStar Bank. In his new role, he is excited to leverage his wealth of experience and serve the Round Rock community and the greater Central Texas Market in an even greater capacity. Bill is focused on ensuring clients and coworkers look forward to working with SouthStar Bank by delivering premier customer service and offering unparalleled expertise in the industry. Outside of work, you can find Bill at the grill perfecting the culinary science of Barbeque, playing the drums, riding his motorcycles, or tending to his fruit trees. Bill is also involved in the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce and is due to graduate from their Leadership Program this May. He has also served on the Board of Junior Achievement and was a Board Member for the Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska.

Savings

by SouthStar BankApril 5, 2024

America Saves Week: Saving Automatically

America Saves Week has arrived! America Saves offers a number of helpful resources and tips on how to save effectively. To kick things off we are sharing their article on the importance and effectiveness of Saving Automatically: Regularly contributing to a savings account is the best way to work toward your future goals…….and the best way to make regular contributions is through saving automatically. It’s our favorite way to save! Saving through automatic deposits or transfers is the most effective way to save and helps make it easy by allowing you to choose what and when you’ll save. How To Start Saving Automatically First, you’ll want to have a clear view of your finances, so you know what you are capable of stashing away. Start with our list of 6 Steps to Establishing a Spending and Saving Plan. These steps will walk you through gathering your financial documents like pay stubs, utility bills, mortgage statements, etc., and will help you calculate your income and expenses as well as setting goals and making a plan to achieve them. Don’t worry or get discouraged if it’s not as much as you would like at first. At America Saves, we say Start Small, Think BIG! Even small amounts add up over time. Once you determine the amount you’d like to start saving, there are two ways to start saving automatically: No matter how you choose to save automatically, the most important thing is building the habit of saving – there is no amount too small to save! Saving is a Habit, Not a Destination That’s right – Saving is a Habit….and, practice makes perfect! By definition, a habit is something you do on a regular basis consistently until it becomes second nature. Eventually, it will become something you do automatically without even thinking about it. Saving is no different! A series of small steps, like setting up a direct deposit or auto transfer, can get you closer to your goal and lead to big rewards in the long run. Every step matters – no matter how big or how small. The more you do it, the more likely you are to stick with it. Read more and view all the resources America Saves has to offer here: Home | America Saves SOURCE: America Saves

Bank News, Employee News

by SouthStar BankApril 1, 2024

Congratulations Brent Gibbs & Cole Schindler! New Central Texas President & CEO

The SouthStar Bank Board of Directors is pleased to announce the promotion of Brent Gibbs and Cole Schindler to the positions of Central Texas President and Central Texas CEO. Brent has worked in banking for 26 years, with this being his 13th year with SouthStar Bank. Brent is an alumnus of Texas Tech University and the Southwest Graduate School of Banking. He began his career at SouthStar Bank as the original Branch Executive and Senior Loan Officer for the Southwest Austin branch when it opened in 2011. He was later promoted to Chief Lending Officer and has served in that role since 2018. He became a SouthStar Bank Board Member in 2021 and continues to serve in that capacity. As Central Texas President, Brent will be a critical liaison between the credit/lending functions and the Board. He will be involved in helping manage the Bank’s profitability and will assume responsibility for monitoring and managing SouthStar Bank’s strong credit and earnings. Brent will also administer SouthStar Bank’s specialty lending programs – working directly with the credit, lending, and compliance departments. In his new position, Brent will be working directly with David Kapavik and begin assuming duties and responsibilities held by him. Cole has served SouthStar Bank for 20 years. He received his MBA in Communications with a specialization in communication studies from St. Edward’s University in 2004. Cole began his career in banking as a teller and bookkeeper and continued to work his way up in the industry, joining SouthStar Bank as a Credit Officer and eventually developing into a Senior Loan Officer. Until his most recent promotion, he was an EVP/Strategic Development Officer/Senior Lending Officer. He became a SouthStar Bank Board Member in 2007 and continues to serve in that capacity. The Schindler and Brown families have owned a majority interest in the Bank through Southern Bancshares Holding company since 1981. Cole is a third-generation family member to hold a key leadership role at the Bank. As Central Texas CEO, Cole will take on a much more significant role in the vision and strategic development of SouthStar Bank’s growth and success. With his knowledge and experience at SouthStar Bank and involvement in the main ownership group, he is uniquely positioned to advance the organization. Cole will work directly with the executive team and current CEO/President David Kapavik in a broader role, leading the Bank’s overall direction. The Board and executive management are excited by the vision and energy Cole and Brent bring to SouthStar Bank’s future. Their ideas and dedication will be instrumental in helping navigate the Bank in our ever-changing environment. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 793687 | NMLS# 627914

Scams

by SouthStar BankMarch 27, 2024

Pig Butchering Scams: What You Need to Know

The next scam in our blog series covers a more complex scam that has plagued victims with financial and emotional stress: Pig Butchering Scams. These scams are complex in that they use advanced social engineering techniques that combine elements of both Romance Scams and Investment Scams. These scams have produced back-breaking financial losses in recent years and have even driven some victims to suicide. It is vital to understand how these scams work to protect yourself and those you care about. Why is it called Pig Butchering? Pig Butchering scams originated in 2019 in Southeast Asia and were coined “Shā Zhū Pán” which directly translates to “Killing Pig Plate,” the reason for this is that this scam is focused on completely wiping out a victim’s assets, or “take the whole pig.” How Does it Work? The fraudster will initially reach out to potential victims in the same fashion as in a Romance Scam, creating a fake online persona and then working to establish a relationship with a victim. Once the scammer has established a line of trust, they will work to gather information about a victim to identify any potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Some examples of what scammers will recognize as an emotional vulnerability include a recent divorce or breakup, loss of a job, loss of a family member, or someone who is in an abusive relationship. Vulnerabilities such as these make the victim more receptive to an online relationship and less likely to question whether the person they are talking to is trustworthy. Once the scammer has established a line of trust with the victim, they will begin to tell them about recent investments they have made that have garnered life-changing returns, generally in cryptocurrency. This is where aspects of a traditional Investment Scam come into play. Scammers will mask webpages full of fake information to appear as though they are credible, trusted sources. The websites are so realistic and effective that even cybersecurity professionals have been tricked into falling for this scam. Once the victim is ready to “invest,” the scammer will direct them to a website or app to make their investments. As accurate as it may appear, the website or app is never legitimate. Once a victim has made their initial “investment,” they can monitor their balance on the fraudulent website, observe they are receiving returns, and even pull their money out. Scammers allow victims to pull money out of the investment platform initially because it makes victims trust the platform more and the fake persona they are in a relationship with. From here, the scammer will target the victim via the fake persona and the investment website by encouraging further investment to maximize returns. With the website showing incredible earnings and the apparent ability to withdraw funds at will, victims will often begin pouring money in. Beyond placing their life savings into the platform, victims have gone as far as taking out a second mortgage on their homes and taking out personal loans […]

Bank News, Employee News

by SouthStar BankMarch 14, 2024

Congratulations Ryan Noyce! New Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer

SouthStar Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Ryan Noyce to Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. Ryan is a 25-year banker and has served with SouthStar Bank for seven years. He is a graduate of Texas State University and a 2022 graduate of the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU. Over his career, Ryan has worked in every position in the industry, from Personal Banker to Senior Vice President and Regional Executive. He began his career with SouthStar Bank as a Senior Commercial Loan Officer in the Steiner Ranch branch until he was promoted to Regional Credit Manager of the Urban South Region in 2019. Ryan is a veteran loan officer and has proven to be very successful in leading teams. Internally, he has won two of SouthStar Bank’s most prestigious awards, including the President’s Award for Urban South in 2020 and the Trailboss Award in 2021. In his new role, Ryan will bring the technical experience and positive mindset to continue leading SouthStar Bank down the path of safety, relationship building, growth, and profitability. He will also oversee the lending function in all 16 full-service locations and SouthStar Bank’s East Austin Loan Office. Outside the bank, Ryan is married to his wife, Melissa, and they have three children together. In his community, he is a very active member of his church, coaches his kids’ soccer teams, and serves as Chairman of the Board at Reveal Resource Center, a food, clothing, and diaper ministry serving Low to Moderate Income families. SouthStar Bank looks forward to Ryan’s continued efforts to make our star shine. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS# 665052

Bank News, Employee News

by SouthStar BankFebruary 26, 2024

Congratulations Jesica Garza! New Area Manager

Jesica Garza has been promoted to Area Manager for the Urban North region at SouthStar Bank. This region includes the Georgetown, Leander, and Round Rock locations. Having joined SouthStar Bank in 2019, Jesica excelled in her previous role as Vice President of Lending. In her new capacity, she is eager to leverage her wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead her team of loan officers toward achieving goals that enhance the lending experience for all customers. Jesica specializes in complex underwriting, providing customers with unique lending options, and has emerged as a commercial and residential lending expert. Her contributions have earned her awards with the bank, including the President’s Award in 2023 and the Ride for the Brand Award in 2021. She has also received accolades from the Austin Home Builders Association, where she was named Mortgage Industry Professional of the Year in 2023 and recognized as one of Austin’s Top Mortgage Professionals in 2021 and 2022. Beyond her professional achievements, Jesica is actively involved in the community, dedicating support to Flatwater, a local non-profit founded by her husband that provides access to therapy for families coping with a cancer diagnosis. She is also in the 2024 Leadership Georgetown class with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and looks forward to leadership serving opportunities in her hometown of Georgetown upon graduation in June. Outside of work, Jesica can be found spending time with her husband and two children at the soccer fields or family dinners with their large extended family in Georgetown. When she finds time for herself, she enjoys workouts at her local CrossFit gym or diving into a good novel.

Employee Spotlight

by SouthStar BankFebruary 20, 2024

Employee Spotlight – Melissa Greger

Melissa Greger, Assistant Vice President & Loan Operations Processor | SouthStar Bank Calvert Melissa Greger is an Assistant Vice President and Loan Operations Processor at the SouthStar Bank Calvert Branch. Melissa holds more than three decades of experience in the banking industry and is approaching a quarter century at SouthStar Bank. The proudest moment in her career came when she received the title of Assistant Vice President, something she had strived to achieve for many years. In her role, Melissa loves collaborating with the Loan Officers and Loan Coordinators across the bank to help make borrowers’ dreams come true. Hearing the excitement in the borrower’s voice when they purchase their new home brings her great joy. Melissa regularly attends Salem Lutheran Church, where she has been a member for 22 years. She is also a part of the top fundraising Relay for Life team in the entire Bell County area. Melissa also participates in the Feed My Sheep outreach program in Bell County; this program allows people from the community to help prepare a meal once a month for people experiencing homelessness. When Melissa finds time to herself, there is nothing she loves more than fishing. Rockport, Texas, is her home away from home, with her family making multiple trips down south each year. She says there is no better sight than watching the sun go down while hauling a massive red drum. One item on Melissa’s bucket list is to take her fishing skills to Louisiana for a guided fishing trip.

Bank News, Employee News

by SouthStar BankFebruary 12, 2024

Congratulations Tyler Narro! New Branch Manager

Tyler Narro has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the SouthStar Bank Hearne branch. As a Personal Banker, she has thrived at finding solutions for her customers’ needs. Tyler has been with the Hearne team for just under six years and brings over a decade of banking experience to her new position. As branch manager, Tyler is excited to support her team in any way possible to ensure the branch remains compliant. She is also motivated to deepen her connection with the community of Hearne in her new role. Overall, Tyler looks forward to continuing to develop her team and leading them to success in 2024! Outside of work, Tyler spends much of her time with her children, attending her son’s sporting events and enjoying the outdoors.