Resources for Your Small Business

Smiling deli manager and an employee going over receipts at a table

May is National Small Business Month! As a small business owner, utilizing the excellent resources designed to help your business thrive and grow is essential. The links below provide information on various programs and resources offered by several different organizations.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers many resources for Small Businesses. Explore 18 various resources targeted at your needs!

18 Free Resources for Small Businesses to Leverage Year-Round | CO- by U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a wealth of resources designed for businesses just getting started to businesses that have been around for decades! The SBA also provides funding for businesses. SouthStar Bank is a preferred SBA lender. Contact your local branch for more details!

Small Business Administration

The U.S. Department of the Treasury offers Small Business Programs targeted at specific needs common among small business owners.

Small Business Programs | U.S. Department of the Treasury

The Texas Governor’s Office of Small Business Assistance assists small and medium Texas businesses through advocacy, entrepreneurial support, education, and technical assistance.

The Texas Governor’s Office of Small Business Assistance

Are you looking for a bank for your business, or do you have any questions? Contact your local branch today!

Welcome Ryan Ezzell

Ryan Ezzell, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch

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Ryan Ezzell has joined the SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch team as a Personal Banker. Ryan is a recent graduate of Texas State University and is excited to start his career in the banking industry. He looks forward to developing professionally in his new role while contributing to the bank’s goals and connecting with his customers.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys reading, running, and playing card games. He also enjoys traveling to Colorado and Hawaii, spending time sharpening his skills skiing the slopes in the winter and getting out to roller skate in the warmer months.

Welcome to the team, Ryan!

Welcome Kevin Juliani

Kevin Juliani, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Leander

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Kevin Juliani has joined the SouthStar Bank Leander branch as a Personal Banker. Kevin has five years of banking experience and a degree from Housatonic College. Kevin is excited to bring his solid foundation of experience from working in large, national, and smaller regional banks. In his previous positions in the industry, he was able to hone his ability to work in a fast-paced environment where he consistently delivered exceptional service and built strong customer relationships while also acquiring experience adapting to the ever-changing banking industry.

Outside of work, Kevin enjoys reading books, going on walks, and playing volleyball. He also enjoys traveling and has visited many beautiful destinations, including Portugal and Brazil. Kevin’s biggest personal achievement is moving to the U.S. alone at 18 and building a successful banking career from the ground up – navigating college full-time, working his way through multiple banks, and relocating across states all on his own!

Welcome to the team, Kevin!

What is a SDIRA & How Does it Work?

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What is a Self-Directed IRA & How Does it Work?

A Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) is a retirement account that lets you manage and choose your own investments. While financial institutions typically manage traditional IRAs with a set range of investment options, SDIRAs allow you to invest in a wider array of assets. These can include real estate, tax liens, private companies, and physical precious metals.

SDIRAs offer the same tax advantages as Traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs. Whether you choose a traditional Self-Directed IRA (tax-deferred) or a Roth Self-Directed IRA (tax-free withdrawals), the key difference is the broader range of investment opportunities and more control over where and how your money is invested.

How Does a Self-Directed IRA Work?

Open a Self-Directed IRA Account
To open a Self-Directed IRA, the account holder must first choose a custodian or trustee who specializes in these types of accounts. These custodians ensure that your investments comply with IRS regulations but don’t offer financial advice. SouthStar Bank is allowed to provide custodial services for SDIRA account holders.
Fund Your Account
SDIRAs are typically funded through rollovers from other retirement accounts (e.g., 401k, traditional IRA) contributions or transfers from other IRAs.
Select Your Investments
Once the account is funded, SDIRA account holders have the flexibility to invest in a wide range of assets, including:
- Real estate
- Precious metals like gold or silver
- Private equity or venture capital
- Tax liens
- Private loans or promissory notes
Follow IRS Rules
While account holders control their investment decisions, following IRS guidelines is essential. For example, you can’t invest in businesses you or close family members are involved with. All investments must comply with IRS regulations to avoid penalties.
Monitor and Manage Your Portfolio
As the account holder, you are responsible for managing your investments, including researching opportunities and ensuring IRS compliance.

Why Consider a Self-Directed IRA?

The main appeal of a Self-Directed IRA is the ability to diversify your retirement portfolio. Traditional retirement accounts often focus on stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, which can be affected by market volatility. Investing in alternative assets like real estate or precious metals can spread your risk across different asset classes.

A Self-Directed IRA allows you to invest in what you know best, such as real estate or businesses you are familiar with, offering the potential for better returns and more control.

Interested in opening a Self-Directed IRA? SouthStar Bank is proud to offer a range of IRA products, including our SDIRA offering, the Custodian Checkbook IRA. Our experts would be happy to assist you with the account opening process or any questions you may have! Contact ira@southstarbank.com or call our dedicated IRA line at (512) 384-3948 to begin.

SouthStar Bank S.S.B. is an independent passive Custodian and is not associated or affiliated with and does not recommend, promote or advise any specific investment, investment opportunity, investment sponsor, investment company or investment promoter or any agents, employees, representatives or other of such firms or entities. Investments are not insured, have no guarantee, and may lose value. SouthStar Bank S.S.B. customers have FDIC bank deposit insurance for non-invested cash deposited into their Custodian Checkbook IRA account up to the standard insurance amount of $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. The Bank follows the FDIC Insurance guidelines for custodians as outlined HERE.

5 Benefits of a Cash Back Checking Account

If you want to maximize your spending and get more from your checking account, a Cash Back Checking Account could be the perfect solution. This account type offers a variety of rewards, including cash back on your everyday purchases. Whether you are buying groceries, refueling your car, or shopping online, this checking account option allows you to earn money back while enjoying the convenience of modern banking. Here are five important benefits of SouthStar Bank’s Cash Back Checking Account.

1.Earn Cash Back On Debit Card Transactions*

The most appealing feature of any cash-back checking account is the opportunity to earn cash back on all purchases. As prices continue to rise, earning a percentage back on every eligible debit card transaction you make can make your dollar stretch even more. Whether you are on your weekly grocery run, shopping for a new outfit, or filling up your tank at the gas pump, earning cash-back rewards will help you save while you spend.

2.No Minimum Daily Balance Requirement

Unlike numerous other financial institutions, a minimum daily balance is not required with a SouthStar Bank Cash Back Checking Account. Account holders enjoy greater flexibility and peace of mind over their finances when they don’t have to worry about fees or their transactions not qualifying. Instead, they enjoy all the benefits of a cash-back checking account without worrying, making it a hassle-free option for everyday transactions.

3.Quick and Easy Cash Back Redemption

Unlike other programs where you may have to wait for your rewards to accumulate, cash-back rewards through a SouthStar Bank cash-back checking account are automatically credited to the checking account every month. This seamless process makes using your debit card quick and easy, and you will never have to worry about waiting extended periods for your savings. Whether you use your cash-back earnings frequently or save them up, the SouthStar Bank system is simple and user-friendly.

4.FDIC Insurance**

One of the key benefits of being a SouthStar Bank account holder is that all deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC. As an FDIC-insured institution, SouthStar Bank protects your deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per account type. Meaning that your money is safeguarded against bank failure, ensuring your hard-earned funds are always secure. Whether you have a cash-back checking account or any other deposit account, FDIC insurance provides an added layer of financial security, allowing you to bank confidently and know that your funds are protected.

5.Access to a Worldwide Network of Surcharge-Free ATMs

An added benefit of opening your cash-back checking account with SouthStar Bank is that you will gain access to the Allpoint ATM network. Allpoint is a network of thousands of surcharge-free ATMs across the United States. Whether at home or traveling, access to this network ensures you can access your money conveniently and anytime.

Ready to start earning cash back on your debit card transactions? Open an account online or visit a SouthStar Bank branch to get started!

*$0.10 cash-back per debit card transaction as a bonus each month up to $20/month. To earn the bonus, the account holder must have a minimum of one ACH deposit and a minimum of 15 debit card transactions (purchases) per statement cycle. Account eligible for eStatements only. Minimum opening deposit $100.

**The deposits of each depositor in this institution are insured to the maximum amount provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Visit FDIC.gov for details.

Welcome Glenn Wash

Glenn Wash, Assistant Vice President & Branch Manager | SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin

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Glenn Wash has joined the SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin branch as an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager. Glenn has a wealth of banking experience, spending more than four decades navigating the ever-changing industry. Glenn looks forward to leveraging his expertise to provide top-tier customer service to his customers and help expand SouthStar Bank’s strong reputation in the local community.

Glenn spends much of his time outside of work with his family or on various backyard projects. He also enjoys travelling with his favorite destination being Mallorca, Spain. Glenn‘smost significant personal achievement is getting his wife to marry him.

Welcome to the team, Glenn!