How to file Complaints

SouthStar Bank SSB is chartered under the laws of the State of Texas
and by state law is subject to regulatory oversight by the Department of
Savings and Mortgage Lending. Any consumer wishing to file a
complaint against South Star Bank SSB should contact the Department
of Savings and Mortgage Lending through one of the means indicated
below:

• In Person or by Mail: 2601North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 201,
  Austin, Texas 78705-4294
  
• Phone: (877) 276-5550
• Fax: (512) 936-2003
  
• Or through the Department‘s website at www.sml.texas.gov.

At SouthStar Bank, we are committed to the needs of all of our customers, including those with disabilities, to help them achieve their financial dreams and goals. This commitment is based on our deeply held corporate belief that all individuals are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. In furtherance of this commitment, and to ensure that all of our customers can enjoy SouthStar Bank’s flexible banking services, we continually look for ways to make our facilities, services, and accommodations more convenient to use. To that end, we offer the same or equivalent access to products, services, and facilities as is provided to those without disabilities, and we prohibit discrimination, retaliation, coercion, interference, intimidation, or any other adverse action against individuals on the basis of disability.

We routinely review our facilities for accessibility, paying careful attention to parking spaces, curbs, ramps, doors, entrances, safe deposit features, lobby areas, and more. Additionally, all of our ATMs have speech-output and voice-instruction capability specifically created for those who are blind or have low vision. Each ATM is also equipped with a phone jack for earphones, ensuring that customers have adequate privacy for all their banking transactions.

To accommodate persons who are blind or have low vision, SouthStar Bank, S.S.B. always offers its customers assistance with reading, filling out, and completing forms. For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, SouthStar accepts telecommunication relay service calls through the SouthStar Bank telebanking line, 1 (866) 333-9064, and sign language interpreters upon advance request. All locations also offer an atmosphere friendly to service animals and guide dogs at any time.

We are also committed to enhancing our customers’ online experience on our website. While there is no definitive test or certification that determines whether a website is accessible, we strive to deliver content, like closed-captioning on all of our video tutorials, in accessible formats. We are also working with web developers to implement strategies to improve access to our website. Customers who use screen readers may find that their experience is improved if they keep their technology updated by using the latest versions of assistive technology and operating systems. If you find a part of the site that you feel is not accessible, please let us know by contacting us using one of the methods below.

David Kapavik, the President of SouthStar Bank, S.S.B., is deeply-committed to the spirit and intent of this policy. As such, to provide exceptional customer service, there is a red telephone installed in every SouthStar branch lobby that, if accessed, will immediately call Mr. Kapavik’s mobile phone. At SouthStar, you have a direct line to the President because we listen to the needs of our customers.

If you have questions or recommendations about accessibility at SouthStar, or to ask about or request any of these services, please contact your local SouthStar branch. Alternatively, we have designated JoAnn Biezenski, SouthStar Banks’s Executive Vice President of Compliance, as the Bank’s Accessibility Coordinator, and she can be contacted by email at accessibility@southstarbank.com, by phone at (254) 271-2636, or by SouthStar Bank, S.S.B., c/o Accessibility Coordinator, P.O. Box 7, Bremond, TX 76629. We always give requests for reasonable accommodations individualized attention and review each request on a case-by-case basis to determine how to best serve our customers.

How to file Complaints

• In Person or by Mail: 2601North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 201, Austin, Texas 78705-4294
• Phone: (877) 276-5550
• Fax: (512) 936-2003
• Or through the Department‘s website at www.sml.texas.gov.

The diversity of our employees and contractors is essential to our ability to fulfill our purpose and achieve our business strategy of responsible growth. Diversity and inclusion are part of our values. We take proactive steps to promote diversity of our employees, in thought, the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

We hold our leaders accountable for building diverse teams and fostering an inclusive environment. This accountability starts with our  Board of Directors, CEO, and Senior Level Officers, who oversees and directs the Bank’s diversity and inclusion efforts.

SouthStar Bank, SSB is committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, the Bank prohibits any unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all employees, including managers and non-managerial employees.

SouthStar Bank, SSB offers development programs designed to build an inclusive environment, strengthen the retention and engagement of diverse professionals and educate our employees about diversity at key points in their career lifecycle.

SouthStar Bank, SSB holds management at all levels accountable for diversity and inclusion efforts. Management ensures that such efforts align with the Bank’s business strategy.

SouthStar Bank, S.S.B. (referred to as “Bank”) promotes breadth and diversity in its selection of vendors and service providers. Bank provides small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses opportunities to participate in its vendor selection process and in providing services to the bank and a fair opportunity to have a supplier relationship will be given to these businesses. The bank encourages small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses to participate in its vendor selection process.

Bank will establish selection processes that will allow for appropriate outreach to small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses. The selection process will include publicizing supplier opportunities as appropriate. SouthStar Bank will also determine appropriate metrics for evaluating the breadth and diversity of its vendors.

Bank requires its vendors to have similar policies that encourage the provision of supplier opportunities to small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses.

It is our policy to provide a full spectrum of businesses with the opportunity to compete on a fair and equal basis for our business and, ideally, to expand and grow while working with us. We encourage the use of qualified businesses where opportunities exist, promote strategic partnerships and engage a number of external stakeholders in support of our efforts. We continue to make progress expanding the reach of our vendor diversity and inclusion efforts. 

What is FDIC insurance?

1. Single Accounts
2. Joint Accounts
3. Certain Retirement Accounts (includes IRAs)
4. Revocable Trust Accounts
5. Corporation, Partnership and Unincorporated Association Accounts
6. Irrevocable Trust Accounts
7. Employee Benefits Plan Accounts
8. Government Accounts

Investment Advice

SouthStar Bank, SSB does not offer investment products or provide investment advice. We do not employ Certified Financial Planners or other investment professionals, and therefore we are not authorized to provide investment or tax advice. Please consult with your licensed Financial Planner or other investment professional for investment advice. Consult a CPA or other licensed tax professional for tax advice.

What does SOUTHSTAR BANK do with your personal information?

WHY?

WHAT?

HOW?

WHAT WE DO

• Any client, customer or vendor directly submitting content and/or photos to SouthStar Bank authorizes consent to use such content without limitation.
• Content removal requests can be submitted to marketing@southstarbank.com

• Stay on topic
• Use common courtesy and be respectful of others
• Submit your own original content, and avoid content that you know to be fraudulent
• Do not post someone else’s copyrighted work unless you have permission
• Never post personal, identifying, or confidential information
• Do not use this site to communicate or ask questions specific to your personal account or loan information
• Do not post any content which is abusive, offensive or inflammatory

Substitute Checks and Your Rights Disclosure

As an account holder, you may see substitute checks from time to time, such as when you receive your account statement with copies of your checks, when you view your account information online, or when you request a copy of your original check for proof of payment. The following substitute check disclosure provides information about substitute checks and your rights. So you will recognize a substitute check when you receive one, we have also included an illustration of the front side of a substitute check along with an explanation of the substitute check’s components.

What is a substitute check?

To make check processing faster, federal law permits banks to replace original checks with “substitute checks.” These checks are similar in size to original checks with a slightly reduced image of the front and back of the original check. The front of a substitute check states: ‘This is a legal copy of your check. You can use it the same way you would use the original check.’ You may use a substitute check as proof of payment just like the original check.

Some or all of the checks that you receive back from us may be substitute checks. This notice describes rights you have when you receive substitute checks from us. The rights in this notice do not apply to original checks or to electronic debits to your account. However, you have rights under other law with respect to those transactions.

What are my rights regarding substitute checks?

In certain cases, federal law provides a special procedure that allows you to request a refund for losses you suffer if a substitute check is posted to your account (for example, it you think that we withdrew the wrong amount from your account or that we withdraw money from your account more than once for the same check). The losses you may attempt to recover under this procedure may include the amount that was withdrawn from your account and fees that were charged as a result of the withdrawal (for example, bounced check fees).

The amount of your refund under this procedure is limited to the amount of your loss or the amount of the substitute check, whichever is less. You also are entitled to interest on the amount of your refund if your account is an interest-bearing account. If your loss exceeds the amount of the substitute check, you may be able to recover additional amounts under other law.

It you use this procedure, you may receive up to $2,500.00 of your refund (plus interest if your account earns interest) within 10 business days after we received your claim and the remainder of your refund (plus interest if your account earns interest) not later than 45 calendar day(s) after we received your claim.

We may reverse the refund (including any interest on the refund) if we later are able to demonstrate that the substitute check was correctly posted to your account.

How do I make a claim for a refund?

If you believe that you have suffered a loss relating to a substitute check that you received and that was posted to your account, please contact us at: SOUTHSTAR BANK, S.S.B. 100 S MAIN / PO BOX A MOULTON, TX 77975-0010 Phone: (361) 204-1665

You must contact us within 40 calendar days of the date that we mailed (or otherwise delivered by a means to which you agreed) the substitute check in question or the account statement showing that the substitute check was posted to your account, whichever is later. We will extend this time period if you were not able to make a timely claim because of extraordinary circumstances.

Your claim must include—

• A description of why you have suffered a loss (for example, you think the amount withdrawn was incorrect);
• An estimate of the amount of your loss;
• An explanation of why the substitute check you received is insufficient to confirm that you suffered a loss; and
• A copy of the substitute check and/or the following information to help us identify the substitute check: the check number, the amount of the check, the name of the person to whom you wrote the check and the date of the check.

Substitute check image:

• An image of the original check appears in the upper right-hand corner of the substitute check.
• A substitute check is the same size as a standard business check.
• The information in asterisks relates to the “reconverting bank” – the financial institution that created the substitute check.
• The information in brackets (appears sideways facing check image) relates to the ‘truncating bank’ – the financial institution that took the original check out of the check processing system.
• The Legal Legend states: This is a legal copy of your check. You may use it the same way you would use the original check.
• The MICR lines at the bottom of the image of the original and at the bottom of the substitute check are the same except for the “4” at the beginning of the substitute check number, which indicates that it is a substitute check being moved forward for collection purposes. It is also possible for a substitute check number to begin with a “5” if the item is being returned. The rest of the MICR line is the same as the original check to ensure that it is processed as though it were the original.

 Unlawful Internet Gambling Disclosure

Restricted transactions as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation GG are prohibited from being processed through this account or relationship. Restricted transactions generally include, but are not limited to, those in which credit, electronic fund transfers, checks, or drafts are knowingly accepted by gambling businesses in connection with the participation by others in unlawful internet gambling.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT:

What does this mean for you?

No Warranties

Links to Websites

Intellectual Properties

Cookies

Severability

Waiver