Southstar Bank Insider - SouthStar Bank, S.S.B.

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.

Employee Spotlight- Tyler Narro

Tyler Narro, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Hearne

Tyler Narro is a Personal Banker at the SouthStar Bank Hearne location. She worked in banking and finance for nine years before joining the SouthStar Bank team five years ago. Recently, Tyler was awarded the Star Service award, which recognizes one recipient in each of the bank’s four regions for service above and beyond the expected norm. Recipients consistently demonstrate exceptional knowledge of bank products and services, as well as an intuitive understanding of clients’ needs.

When she is not working, Tyler spends her time traveling to the beach with her family, taking evening walks, going to the park, and attending rock concerts with her husband. As a beach enthusiast, Tyler’s favorite place she has traveled to is Galveston, Texas. An interesting fact about Tyler is that one of the items on her bucket list was to get married on Halloween, which she and her husband crossed off her list last year.

Welcome Ibrahim Madni

Ibrahim Madni, Personal Banker | SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch

Ibrahim Madni has joined the SouthStar Bank Steiner Ranch team as a Personal Banker. Ibrahim has two years of customer service experience. The one thing he is most excited about bringing into his new role is his communication and customer service skills. In his free time, Ibrahim enjoys listening to podcasts and reading books.

Welcome Ibrahim!