Retail Online and Business Online will be unavailable between 10 p.m. ET, Saturday, February 14, and 10 a.m. ET Sunday, February 15, 2026.
*Scams involving stealing personal information are at an all-time high across the financial industry. It is important to keep yourself informed and alert. Click HERE to read about ongoing scams in the financial industry.*
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Sche Kehner has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the SouthStar Bank Kerrville location. Sche has been in the banking industry for 16 years and has spent the last 4.5 years with SouthStar Bank. She has established herself as a staple of the Kerrville team by delivering consistent top-tier customer service.
As the Branch Manager, Sche is excited to continue expanding her knowledge of the financial industry to provide exceptional experiences for her customers. She looks forward to leading her team of amazing individuals while maintaining the integrity and warmth of the Kerrville branch.
Outside of work, Sche loves to go fishing, crack open a novel, or spend time with her family and her personal zoo of animals! She also loves to get involved with the community, often volunteering with the Salvation Army Kroc Center. Sche loves the children in her community, and the Salvation Army aligns with her philanthropic goals.
Keeping a close eye on your finances is vital to making sure your money and personal information remain secure. SouthStar Bank offers several tools to help customers remain secure and actively monitor their accounts. Learn more about all the tools available and make sure to take advantage of the features that can help you!
SecureAlerts keeps users up to date about important account activity via instant text*, email, or your Online Banking message center. With SecureAlerts, users can decide which alerts to enable, how they are notified, and how often. Notification options include:
Rest assured, you’ll receive the latest details on your account, and watch for any suspicious activity. The simple, secure service is free to all SouthStar Bank customers enrolled in online banking. Enroll today through the Online Banking Portal!
Travel Alerts
Travel Alerts allow users to update their debit card preferences so their card isn’t flagged for potential fraud while travelling! The process is quick and straightforward. Access Travel Alerts through the SouthStar Bank Mobile App and specify your travel dates and destination(s)!
Card Manager
Card Manager lets users quickly manage lost or stolen cards on the go! This feature is easily accessible through the SouthStar Bank Mobile App. Under the Manage My Cards section in the Mobile App, users will have access to:
Set alerts to ensure safe, secure card usage
Set spending limits
Set card restrictions based on location
Turn off a debit card if you suspect it is lost
And more!
Positive Pay
Positive Pay allows business owners to further protect their business from check and ACH fraud! The way this service works is simple: whenever the business writes checks, it uploads a list with details such as the check number, amount, and date. This information allows our SouthStar Bank team to verify all checks presented to your account. If the information matches, SouthStar Bank will process the transaction. If the information does not match, SouthStar Bank will notify the business owner and ask them to review the check and decide whether to pay it.
For ACH payments, the process is quite similar. The customer will set up parameters based on selected criteria (e.g., dollar amount, originator) to block or flag specific ACH payments. Once set, any payments outside these parameters will be blocked or flagged, and the customer will receive a notification to review and decide whether to process the payment.
Zelle
Zelle® is a convenient way to send and receive money with friends, family, and others you trust through your mobile app or online banking portal. All that is needed is your recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile number, and money will be available to use in minutes if they are already enrolled with Zelle®. Users can enroll in Zelle today through Bill Pay on their Online Banking portal. It is always essential to verify legitimacy before sending money to someone. Follow these tips to stay secure!
Make sure you are in control of your accounts and get the most out of your SouthStar Bank experience with these features! Do you have questions about what tools would work best for you? Reach out to your local branch team today, and they will be happy to assist you!
Tax season has a way of sneaking up on even the most organized households. A little preparation now can help you avoid last-minute stress, reduce errors, and even uncover opportunities to save money. Whether you’re filing on your own or working with a tax professional, using these tax tips to get ready for tax season can help you feel confident and prepared.
1. Gather and Organize Key Tax Documents
One of the most critical portions of tax preparation is gathering essential documents early. Important documents can include W-2s, 1099s, mortgage interest statements, and investment income records. If you’re self-employed, organize business income and expense receipts. You can review what documents you may need on the IRS website. Keeping everything organized in one secure place makes filing taxes more straightforward and more efficient. Tax forms for SouthStar Bank accounts can be accessed through your Online Banking portal.
2. Review Last Year’s Tax Return
Reviewing last year’s return can highlight deductions or credits you may qualify for again. It also helps identify changes such as a new job or increased income, a home purchase, or a growing family that may affect your tax return this year. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed into law 7/4/2025) has significant effects on credits and deductions; you can review all of these provisions here.
3. Track Deductible Expenses Throughout the Year
Many taxpayers miss out on valuable tax deductions because their expenses are not tracked consistently. Medical costs, student loan interest, charitable donations, and education expenses may be deductible. Keeping a running list is a great practice to adopt going forward if you are not currently tracking these expenses consistently.
4. Maximize Retirement Contributions
Contributing to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, such as IRAs, can help lower your taxable income while building long-term savings. Depending on eligibility, you may be able to make contributions before the tax filing deadline. SouthStar Bank offers retirement savings options that support both financial planning and tax savings strategies. Contact your local branch to learn more!
5. Review and Adjust Tax Withholding
If you owed taxes or received a large refund last year, it may be time to adjust your withholding. Updating your W-4 can help align your paycheck with your tax liability, improve cash flow, and help you avoid unwelcome surprises during tax filing season.
6. For More Complex Returns, Consider Working with a Tax Professional
Tax laws change often, and situations involving small businesses, investments, or significant life events can make tax preparation more complex. A qualified tax professional can help you identify credits, deductions, and compliance requirements you may overlook.
7. File Early and Use Direct Deposit
Filing early helps protect against tax-related identity theft and speeds up refunds. Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your refund, and the IRS is currently working to phase out all paper tax refund checks. Following this change, the IRS is encouraging taxpayers without a bank account to open one so they can receive refunds by direct deposit.
Prepare for Tax Season with SouthStar Bank
Getting ready for tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. With the proper planning, tools, and support, you can file confidently and stay financially organized year-round. SouthStar Bank is proud to offer trusted banking solutions and financial guidance to help you succeed during tax season and beyond! Whether you need tax documents or need to get a bank account set up for your return, your local SouthStar Bank team is here for you!
Shirley Sears has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President of Lending and Branch Executive of the SouthStar Bank Leander branch. Shirley has more than two decades of experience in the banking industry and has spent the last 3.5 years as a cornerstone of the Leander team. Throughout her time at SouthStar Bank, Shirley’s strong work ethic and lending expertise have allowed her to consistently provide stability, guidance, and support to her clients and fellow employees. As a leader of the Leander team, she is most excited about the opportunity to lead her team and make an even larger positive impact on the branch. She looks forward to further expanding SouthStar Bank’s presence throughout the Leander and Cedar Park areas.
Stay Informed! Protect yourself from scams by staying informed about the latest trends.
Scammers are constantly finding new ways to steal personal and financial information, often by pretending to be trusted businesses, government agencies, or even friends and family. Educating yourself on current scams is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself, as awareness helps you recognize red flags before damage is done. By staying informed and knowing how to verify suspicious messages or requests, you can significantly reduce your risk and keep your information secure. Please keep checking this blog for updates on current scams we are seeing in the financial industry.
January 2026
ACH Scams: ACH fraud is the unauthorized transfer of funds from a bank account, often initiated by criminals who obtain account credentials through phishing, data breaches, or social engineering to execute fraudulent electronic debits or credits, exploiting the speed of the Automated Clearing House network.
Check Scams: Check fraud is the illegal act of forging, altering, or stealing checks to illicitly acquire funds from a victim’s bank account.
USA Warranty Scam: Scammers are sending letters by mail asking you to contact them to verify your home warranty, which they claim is secured by SouthStar Bank. SouthStar Bank does not require this type of warranty and is also not associated with this company.
January 26-30: Happy Identity Theft Awareness Week! Remember, identity theft can happen to anyone at any age. Educate yourself to protect yourself!
November 2025
Impersonation Scam: Fraudsters are making calls, sending texts, and emailing recipients impersonating SouthStar Bank employees to request personal account information. A true SouthStar Bank team member will never contact you to ask for personal information. If someone tries to contact you, hang up and contact your local branch immediately using your branch’s direct number.
What To Do If You Think You Have Been Scammed
If you believe someone is trying to scam you, stop engaging with them immediately and do not share any personal or financial information. Avoid clicking links, opening attachments, or responding to urgent or threatening messages. Always take your time in verifying the request by contacting SouthStar Bank or the person they are imitating directly using a trusted phone number or website, not the contact details provided in the message. Finally, report the attempt to your bank, employer, or the appropriate authorities so they can help protect you and others from future scams.
The new year is the perfect time to reset your financial goals and build habits that support long-term success. Whether you’re focused on saving more, paying down debt, or planning for the future, setting clear financial resolutions can help you start the year with confidence. At SouthStar Bank, we’re here to help you turn those resolutions into realistic, achievable steps toward a stronger financial future.
1. Evaluate Your Spending
Review your spending from the previous year by reviewing your bank and credit card statements. Understanding where you’ve spent in the past is a great way to identify areas where you can save in the new year!
2. Reassess Your Budget
An annual budget review is an excellent idea as we head into the new year! Review how you performed against your budget in the previous year. Identify areas where spending was too high and adjust for the new year. Assess any new fixed or variable costs you anticipate will impact you and ensure you plan for them.
3. Stay Consistent and Track Your Progress
Consistency is paramount when it comes to your financial goals. Tracking your progress weekly or monthly is a great way to ensure you stay on target while also encouraging you to keep working toward your goal!
4. Automate Savings/Payments
Making the most of automation can be a great way to ensure you stay on track with savings goals and don’t miss any recurring payments. You can set up automated bill payments as well as automated transfers through your Online Banking login.
5. Establish or Evaluate Your Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is a vital backdrop for your finances. Determining exactly how much you need in your emergency fund depends on several factors (number of dependents, income stability, cost of living, etc.). Establishing an emergency fund if you don’t have one currently should be a priority. If you already have a fund established, it is still best practice to review it annually to ensure it remains sufficient.
6. Establish an Estate Plan
Preparing for the future is never a bad idea. Establishing an Estate Plan can offer you peace of mind and allow you to evaluate your current assets. If you already have an Estate Plan in place, it is never a bad idea to review your plan annually to ensure you make any necessary adjustments.
7. Evaluate Contributions to IRA/HSA/401 (k)
IRA, HSA, and 401 (k) accounts all offer unique benefits that consumers should take advantage of when possible. Evaluate your current contributions and ensure you are getting the most from these accounts! The updated contribution limits for 401 (k) and IRA accounts in 2026 can be found
8. Pay Off High-Interest Debt
It is always wise to prioritize your high-interest debt (credit card debt, payday loans, private student loans, etc.). These interest rates are often higher than your returns on investments and savings and thus can eat into your savings potential. Consolidating debt can potentially help to lower your interest rate. Using the Snowball or Avalanche Method can also help prioritize debts.
9. Improve Your Credit
Regularly monitoring your credit score is always the best practice. You can check your credit score for free annually from any of the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Make sure to always make credit payments on time; this can be assisted by setting up autopay to help you improve your score. Using credit cards and other lines of credit responsibly is vital to maintaining your financial health and viability.
Financial resolutions aren’t about perfection; they’re about progress. By setting clear goals and taking small, consistent steps, you can create positive financial habits that last well beyond the new year. Whether you’re building savings, managing debt, or planning for what’s next, SouthStar Bank is here to support you with the tools, guidance, and personal service you need to stay on track all year long. Let this be the year your financial goals turn into lasting success.
