Customer Spotlight

Brett Hamilton, OD is an Optometrist and the owner of Round Rock Family Eye Care. Dr. Hamilton came to SouthStar Bank interested in transitioning from leasing his medical office space to building and owning his own medical office building. The Bank was able to offer land purchase financing as well as conventional and SBA construction loan options which included permanent financing once construction was complete. During the process, SouthStar Bank was also able to provide Dr. Hamilton with business operating account solutions including Remote Deposit Capture so his operations managers could deposit checks right from their desk. Today, Dr. Hamilton is a full relationship customer who has personal and business accounts. SouthStar Bank was also able to provide a speedy PPP loan to aid his business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four years ago, Tony Bielamowicz of Bremond decided to expand the family cedar mill into a hardware store to serve the communities’ need for rural living supplies. After extending his building shell, he turned to SouthStar Bank for several loans including inventory, an eye-catching digital street sign, and later a forklift. Along the way, he enlisted SouthStar to set up his merchant services (credit card acceptance) account. Tony’s never met a stranger, and greets customers with free refreshments and expert DIY advice. “SouthStar Bank is a fantastic business partner. Norman and Justin check in regularly, and I’m comfortable asking for just about anything a bank provides. They made it a priority to understand my vision for a true mom-and-pop store where folks can come in for a part and some fix-it advice. Their help got us selling and keeps us going. Thanks in part to SouthStar, business is great!” —Marvin Sommerfeld, President, Sommerfeld Construction

“I’ve worked with Brent Gibbs at SouthStar Bank to finance construction of several high-end residential projects, including the spec home we are showing during this year’s Parade of Homes. From our first call through the final draw, they consistently make the process easy and straightforward – even when the project is not. The professionals at SouthStar Bank clearly understand builders and their needs, and deliver as promised.” —Marvin Sommerfeld, President, Sommerfeld Construction

“I have had the great pleasure of working with SouthStar Bank on several large, complex custom home projects. SouthStar Bank delivered exceptional service, great value, and a long term partnership to each and every client. I have been so impressed, I had SouthStar Bank finance my personal home as well.” —Tod Arbogast, President, Arbogast Homes

Cockrum Custom Homes is locally owned and operated by Bradley and Marian Cockrum. Established nearly three decades ago, the Cockrums are intimately familiar with Williamson County market, witnessing significant growth in Georgetown and its surrounding communities.   Bradley was keenly interested in home building from an early age. Helping frame homes with his grandfather who was a German carpenter, Bradley began his home building career at the age of 16. He has passed on his passion for craftmanship to his entire family that now works by his side. His son, Garrett Cockrum, working as superintendent and project manager at Cockrum Custom Homes, and daughter, Amber Cockrum, who manages the most recent expansion of their business, Cockrum Commercial. His eldest daughter, Haley Waggoner, a licensed residential real estate agent with Keller Williams, manages the real estate transactions.    Cockrum Custom Homes remains a niche business dedicated to quality custom homes. A full-service, residential custom home builder, the team specializes in 1+ acre homesites in Williamson County. Clients appreciate their attention to detail and personal approach to home building.  Bradley values personal relationships and local expertise, and so found SouthStar Bank to be a fit for his financial needs. SouthStar Bank is able to provide a full relationship including commercial accounts as well as lending services for spec homes. From the personal attention by Stephanie Weaver, Branch Manager, in retail and commercial banking to knowledgeable insights from lender, Jesica Garza. “Their professionalism and service can’t be beat,” says Bradley.  Ready to build your custom home with Cockrum Construction? SouthStar Bank provides financing for lot purchase and construction with one-time-close. If your dream home is on acreage or otherwise unique, look to Jesica Garza and the team of expert lenders who specialize in flexible, common-sense financial solutions to meet your needs.  CONTACTS  Cockrum Custom Homes  200 Sedro Trail  |  Georgetown, TX 78633 sales@cockrumhomes.com  512.930.1130  SouthStar Bank  4535 Williams Dr.  |  Georgetown, TX 78633 512.688.5093  Jesica Garza, Vice President & Branch Executive | NMLS# 1508061 jesica.garza@southstarbank.com | m: 512.966.7342  Stephanie Weaver Assistant Vice President & Branch Manager stephanie.weaver@southstarbank.com  |  m: 512.217.7605 

Jonathan Twaddle Homeowner After months of searching for a lender who would finance a self-employed, 27-year old first-time homebuyer, I was on the verge of giving up. After many exhausting ‘NO’s’, an associate recommended I visit with SouthStar Bank. I was immediately impressed with their ability to look beyond the standard paperwork and consider the individual behind the application. Other lenders said ‘you don’t quite fit the box and should start small’. The team at SouthStar Bank assured me that because they set their own lending criteria, the jumbo loan I needed was quite workable. We’ve enjoyed our new home for several months now! If you’ve been turned down because a banker doesn’t ‘get’ your vision, give SouthStar Bank a call!

Daniel and Christie Dance Almighty Rentals Our support network advised us to ditch the big bank and partner with a regional institution that remembers names, recognizes potential and has the resources to support growth. SouthStar Bank embodies these characteristics. They took the time to understand our goals and offered invaluable perspective. We value our relationship.

Rudy and Ramiro Yepez After years of dealing with faceless people and bureaucratic attitudes we were looking for a bank with a personal interest in our financial matters. SouthStar Bank’s professional approach and personal touch really makes the difference. They took the time to understand our banking needs and provided working capital for our student housing project.

Joel Walker This was my first SBA loan and the team at SouthStar Bank help me understand the process and work through my to-do list. I heard stories about the SBA, but the experienced professionals at SouthStar Bank submitted a thorough application and our loan was approved soon after. I’ll be opening another store soon and will definitely use SouthStar Bank again.

Gary and Janie Gray When we decided to build our ranch home and needed funding we knew we wanted to deal with Norman Koch at First Star Bank, which is now known as SouthStar Bank. We knew from the many years of previous bank/business dealings that he could be trusted. He reassured us he could make the deal happen. He put us in touch with Joe Scarpinato at the Hearne branch assuring us we would like working with him and have no problems. We are happy to say Norman was right. Joe and Norman worked together and made what can be a tedious process go very smoothly and kept us in the loop on progress. It was a happy day for us when we were able to begin building. Thanks to Joe and Norman for making this such a smooth transaction.