Employee Spotlight – Allison Spence

Allison Spence, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin

Allison Spence is a Personal Banker at the SouthStar Bank Southwest Austin location. She worked in the banking industry for five years before joining the SouthStar Bank team one year ago. The one thing Allison enjoys most about her job is connecting with customers in and around her community. She also loves using her problem-solving skills to assist her customers and their needs best. One of Allison’s most significant accomplishments was gaining confidence within her Personal Banker role. She believes that her newly acquired knowledge has positively affected her personal life.

In her community, Allison is involved with her local church, One Chapel Austin. She hopes to be a part of their Mission work in the future.

When she is not working, Allison spends her time caring for plants, playing with her pups, and tending to her chickens. One item on her bucket list is to travel to Milan, Italy to meet family.

Welcome Emma Taylor

Emma Taylor, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Leander

Emma Taylor has joined the SouthStar Bank Leander team as a Personal Banker. Emma has one year of experience in the banking industry. The one thing she is most excited about bringing into her new role is her customer service skills, positive attitude, and dedication. In her free time, Emma enjoys writing and spending time with her dog.

Welcome Emma!

Employee Spotlight- Aften Serrano

Aften Serrano, Portfolio Manager – SBA & Business Manager | SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building

Aften Serrano is a Portfolio Manager/ SBA & Business Manager based at the SouthStar Bank Loan Administration Building. Aften worked in banking and finance for 19 years before joining the SouthStar Bank team three years ago. She has worked in numerous positions, including Teller, Personal Banker, Banking Officer, Branch Manager, and Back Office. In her position, Aften enjoys being able to help small businesses survive and thrive, while also creating jobs in and around her community. One of Aften’s favorite professional moments was performing investigations on high-risk customers for the BSA/AML Department.

In her community, Aften is a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Currently, the organization is working to save a cemetery on Liberty Hill from being destroyed by a large development company.

When she is not working, Aften spends her time woodworking, building, and refurbishing furniture. Known for being adventurous, she has traveled to Costa Rica and hopes to walk the Great Wall of China.

Welcome Ivan Garcia

Ivan Garcia, Vice President of Lending/Community Manager | SouthStar Bank

Ivan Garcia joins SouthStar Bank as a Vice President of Lending and Community Manager. Ivan brings 14 years of experience in the lending industry and will be focused on expanding SouthStar Bank’s presence along the IH-35 corridor. Ivan prides himself on being able to provide opportunities for home ownership in historically underserved communities.

Ivan covets the personal connection and relationship-building aspects of the lending process, striving to develop trust between lender and customer and navigating first-time home buyers through the sometimes complex mortgage process

Ivan is also fluent in Spanish and is heavily involved with the Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). One of his most significant professional achievements was when he was named one of the NAHREP Top 100 Regional Loan Officers in 2021.

Outside of the office, Ivan enjoys spending time with his family, who began fostering children four years ago.

Welcome Rubi Perkins

Rubi Perkins, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Hearne

Rubi Perkins has joined the SouthStar Bank Hearne team as a Personal Banker. She is most excited to bring her stellar customer service skills to her new role. In her free time, Rubi enjoys painting and traveling. Her favorite place she has traveled to is Niagara Falls.

Welcome Rubi!

Congratulations Stephanie Weaver! New Branch Manager

Stephanie Weaver has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at the SouthStar Bank Georgetown branch.

Prior to her promotion, Stephanie was a Personal Banker at the Georgetown location. During this time, she was responsible for opening new accounts, running transactions, and verifying customer information.

In her new position, Stephanie will be responsible for growing new and existing relationships between the bank and its customers. She is most excited about speaking with her customers to learn how her team can better serve them. Another aspect that Stephanie is excited about is taking over the training of new employees in preparation for their next steps within the banking and finance industry.

In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies, bowling, and traveling to San Antonio to visit her younger sibling.