Southside Bank

This month, ten of our team members hosted a Making Cents workshop at Kissam Intermediate School in East Texas. Students were able to increase their financial knowledge by playing games and working together at various stations. Making Cents is one of our initiatives we use to educate students about their finances, empowering them to make wise decisions now and in the future. If you’re interested in a financial empowerment presentation or workshop for your organization, visit https://lnkd.in/g6DHX2c9, click on “Financial Empowerment,” and complete the form. Member FDIC

The ABA and USPS recently published some helpful tips to prevent businesses from falling for Check Fraud schemes. “Has your business had checks stolen or altered? Have your accounts been subject to counterfeit checks or unauthorized withdrawals? If you answered yes to either of these questions, your business could be the target of a check fraud scheme. Bad actors target business financial accounts over personal accounts because of large transaction volumes, more funds, and higher liquidity, making it easier to cash higher dollar counterfeit or altered checks — and more difficult to detect fraudulent transactions and overdraft issues. Securing your checks is vital! Ways to protect your business: ? Adopt an employee need-to-know policy to limit access to sensitive information and business checks. ? Talk to your bank about services to monitor business account activity, such as fraud prevention programs (FPPs). FPPs can require and request verification for all checks drawn against specific accounts to detect and prevent fraudulent activity. ? Explore the use of a Positive Pay product with your bank to add another layer of validation protection to the check process.” Learn more about Southside Bank’s FPP and Positive Pay products at https://lnkd.in/griGjf7E. Member FDIC

Austin, Texas is flourishing, boasting one of the nation’s most dynamic and resilient economies. Known for its innovative spirit, the city continues to attract industry leaders and entrepreneurial ventures alike. Ed Latson, CEO of Opportunity Austin, says “Over the past 20 years, Austin has been one of the top performing economies in the United States.” Read our 2025 Austin Economy Report and watch the full interview at https://lnkd.in/gVkNq8D9. Member FDIC

Fort Worth, Texas continues to evolve as a powerhouse in the commercial landscape, offering both established businesses and new ventures an environment ripe for growth and innovation. In 2025, the city sits at a crossroads of opportunity, supported by a growing population, strategic location, and diverse economic development initiatives. Read our 2025 Fort Worth Economy Report and watch the full interview at https://lnkd.in/gmaspeDN. Member FDIC

The Woodlands, Texas continues to thrive as a premier location for residential and commercial activity. With its strategic planning, high-quality amenities, and robust commercial developments, The Woodlands has solidified its reputation as an ideal environment for businesses seeking growth and innovation. Read our 2025 Woodlands Economy Report and watch the full interview at https://lnkd.in/gqf85VFe. Member FDIC

Today is the last day to register for our webinar about the economy and commercial real estate environment in Austin! Register for tomorrow’s webinar at https://lnkd.in/gsudV7hj.

Texans help Texans grow. Our team members are here to help guide you and your business financially so you can achieve your goals. Learn about our commercial solutions at https://lnkd.in/giJsHFjv. Member FDIC

Don't forget to sign up for our two webinars this week about the Fort Worth economy.

Don’t forget to sign up for our free, upcoming webinars. ? February 27: Economic Landscape of The Woodlands in 2025. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g5CK9bsn. ? March 6: The Economic Impacts on CRE in Fort Worth. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gkb7hmp8. ? March 7: The Fort Worth Economy Report. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gre6jVAv. ? March 11: The Economic Impacts on CRE in Austin. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gsudV7hj. #webinar #economics #economy #commercial #cre #industrial #austin #thewoodlands #houston #fortworth

News: The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025, and is expected to benefit approximately 2.5 million public sector retirees. This legislation repeals two provisions, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which had previously reduced Social Security benefits for individuals, spouses, and widows who receive a public pension from work not covered by social security. Learn more from Callie Morgan, Certified Financial Planner, on what this could mean for current and future public sector retirees at https://lnkd.in/gJfEqU36.