Truth in Texas Banking

In this episode, LaVonda Renfro and Beth Stavinoha of Veritex Community Bank discuss the importance of credit and financial education, emphasizing how understanding credit scores and managing debt is crucial for consumers. They explore common myths about credit, strategies for building credit, and the significance of budgeting. The discussion also highlights various resources available for financial education, including online tools and community programs. 00:00 Introduction to Credit and Financial Education 06:30 Understanding Credit Scores and Their Importance 12:01 Myths and Realities of Credit Management 14:50 Building Credit: Strategies and Tips 17:04 The Importance of Budgeting and Financial Planning 21:57 Resources for Financial Education

n this episode of Truth in Texas Banking, hosts Lavonda Renfro and Beth Stavinoha discuss the upcoming Veritex Bank Championship, featuring insights from guests Matt Sawicki and Richie Sapp. The conversation covers the excitement surrounding the tournament, the unique spectator experience, the role of Veritex in supporting the event, notable players participating, and the community impact of the championship. The episode emphasizes the values of golf and the importance of giving back to the community.

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women. Join LaVonda and Beth on this episode as we break down who is at risk, how you can protect yourself, and we introduce you to a survivor who had her first cardiac event at just 38 years old. Learn more about how to protect the ones you love at the American Heart Association website, www.heart.org

One in three youth will navigate life on their own. This means they do not have a consistent adult in their life. Together We Thrive exists to do just that, pair a Life Coach with a youth in North Texas to help bridge that gap. In our latest edition of Truth In Texas Banking, we introduce you to a former news anchor who created Together We Thrive. Listen as she shares her story of how a mission trip in Nigeria resulted in this new venture.

Join us for a recap of some of our best and most interesting moments from 2024 featuring small business owners and entrepreneurs in Texas! You will hear from Lift Aids, INC., Unrefined Bakery, and Serveway Heating and Air Conditioning. Find out directly from the owners how they have found success and what motivates them to do what they do!

In the latest episode of Truth in Texas Banking, LaVonda sits down with Deborah Duncan, dear friend of our Veritex family and host of Great Day Houston on KHOU-TV. Known for her role on Houston's beloved morning show, Deborah is also a passionate advocate for The Salvation Army and enjoys spotlighting those making a difference in the community. Together, LaVonda and Deborah explore the significance of giving back and how Deborah balances her daily life to pursue her passion for philanthropy. Catch this inspiring conversation in our newest episode!

Join host LaVonda Renfro in the latest episode of Truth in Texas Banking, where we dive into the crucial world of financial security. This week, LaVonda sits down with Bob Ludeke, the Chief Information Security Officer at Veritex Community Bank. Together, they uncover the latest trends in banking fraud, sharing common tricks that fraudsters use and essential tips on how to protect yourself. Bob brings a wealth of knowledge, offering practical advice on what to do if you suspect you've been compromised. This episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Tune in and empower yourself with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of banking security in today's digital age!

Small businesses are vital as they support our local communities by creating jobs, putting money back into the local economy, and reflecting the culture and needs of our neighborhoods. We are introducing you to Amanda Jones with Lift-Aids. Lift-Aids is one of the oldest automotive adaptive equipment dealers and accessibility lift providers in the United States. Lift-Aids has established themselves as the industry leader in the DFW market. Otis and Joan Thomas started Lift-Aids out of their home fifty-six years ago. Now their granddaughter, Amanda, has taken over the business and has been running it since 2023. We are excited to tell you Amanda's story and why Lift-Aids is making a difference to her personally and to the community.

We are excited to continue our Small Business Series. Small businesses are so important as they support our local communities by creating jobs, putting money back into the local economy and they reflect the culture and needs of our neighborhoods. Today, we are introducing you to Taylor and Anne with Unrefined Bakery. Unrefined Bakery – where gluten-free meets gourmet, and nourishment is a celebration. Anne and Taylor are a dynamic mother-dauther duo who started Unrefined Bakery because they shared a journey of food allergies, particulary Celiac disease, and a deep appreciation for nutrition and delectable flavors. Their goal is simple: they want to offer the best food, in the healthiest way possible. Welcome to the show, Taylor and Anne.

Introducing Small Business Series on Truth in Texas Banking Podcast. Small businesses are important as they support our local communities by creating jobs, putting money back into the local economy, and they reflect the culture and needs of their neighborhoods. We are excited to introduce to you Janal and Brian Reid with ServeWay Heating and Air Conditioning. ServeWay is a one-stop shop that provides the highest quality of heating and air conditioning services along with outstanding customer service. ServeWay's mission is to uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility through the service they provide.

Listen in on another golf edition of Truth in Texas Banking with LaVonda Renfro! This past week, we were on site at the Texas Rangers Golf Club for the 2024 Veritex Bank Championship. The Korn Ferry Tour's lone stop in the Lone Star State! LaVonda interviews Veritex Golf Ambassador, Cole Hammer, Veritex exemption players, Preston Stout & Callum McNeill and more. Hear the stories of why the game of golf is so important to Veritex Community Bank and how it transcends the sports world. From serving our communities to building relationships that go beyond the green. We hope you enjoy the latest episode.

LaVonda Renfro speaks to some our Veritex Bank Golf Ambassadors and Executive Team members at our 2024 Houston Pro-Am. Find out why the game of golf and our ambassadors are so important to Veritex. You don't want to miss out on a special episode recorded at Houston Country Club during Houston Open Week. #VeritexCommunityBank #TruthinTexasBanking #TeamVeritex #TheGolfBankofTexas

We are excited to kick off our first podcast of the year with health advocate Samantha Eppler from the America Heart Association and our very own Darlene Ellison. We are thrilled to support the American Heart Association organization for the third year in a row. Heart health is often overlooked because we wait until there is an issue to happen before we act. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans have optimal heart health. February is Go Red for Women Month and we couldn't be more excited to be a part of such a great organization! Let's be advocates for our health together!

As we wrap up 2023 and reflect on all the things this year has brought us, LaVonda Renfro spotlights some of her favorite interviews with Jen Palmer of Ryan Palmer Foundation, Daniel and Kelly Crawford of Abel Speaks, and Tania Daniel of Junior Achievement USA. A big thank you to everyone who was a guest this past year as we look forward to more in 2024!

Veritex is proud to support #BreastCancerAwareness and in this special two-part series, LaVonda Renfro speaks with some brave survivors that want to share their story. Tune in and listen to these powerful stories and steps to take to when embarking on this difficult journey whether it's your own, a family member's, friend's, or co-worker's. Veritex is here to walk with you.

Veritex is proud to support #BreastCancerAwareness and in this special two-part series, LaVonda Renfro speaks with some brave survivors that want to share their story. Tune in and listen to these powerful stories and steps to take to when embarking on this difficult journey whether it's your own, a family member's, friend's, or co-worker's. Veritex is here to walk with you.

This week, LaVonda speaks with Kelly and Daniel Crawford from Abel Speaks. Abel Speaks was born out of this experience and exists to walk with parents who have chosen to carry a child with a life-limiting diagnosis. Every child's life can be beautiful and meaningful, no matter the length. On this road where you never thought you'd find yourself, you are not alone. Abel Speaks is here to walk with you!

LaVonda Renfro wraps up her series on True Crime Stories with special guest Karen Songer of Veritex Bank. It's 2023 and it seems as if the days of hard cash and paper checks are behind us, but crime doesn't sleep and that includes check fraud. Karen Songer shares another eye-opening story on why banks have to maintain a very high standard of security to protect customers and their accounts.

In this week's episode of Truth in Texas Banking, Karen Songer shares another wild story in the world of bank fraud with LaVonda Renfro! If you're a fan of drama and ranchers, you'll want to tune in and listen to this story about how bank fraud expands beyond debit cards and online transactions.

Tune in to this week's episode of “Truth in Texas Banking,” with guest host Beth Stavinoha. Today's episode we'll be diving into the Veritex Internship program with two incredible recruiters, Fulgham Bell and Leslie Strain. They'll be sharing all the ins and outs of this internship opportunity. But that's not all! We also have some current interns joining us on the show who will be sharing their personal experiences. So, if you're curious about what it's like to intern at Veritex, you won't want to miss this podcast.

Tune in to this week's episode of "Truth in Teas Banking," hosted by LaVonda Renfro. Today's episode is a new True Crime story about elderly fraud, featuring BSA banking team member, Karen Songer. Brace yourself for an enlightening conversation that will leave you empowered and armed with knowledge. We genuinely hope you relish this uplifting experience.

This week, LaVonda brings true crime stories to the topic of discussion. Veritex Community Bank Chief Technology Officer, Jason Savage shares an early career story of ransomware and how his team worked with the FBI to prevent further crime.

The future is very bright thanks to people like our guest on this week's episode, Tania Daniel. Work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy are the focus of Junior Achievement to give young people the resources and help they need to achieve their dreams. Listen now to Tania's amazing journey that continues to inspire and motivate her work with Junior Achievement.

In this episode of Truth in Texas Banking, LaVonda speaks with Scottie and Meredith Scheffler to discuss the impact of Behind Every Door and the Cedar Crest Community Center. They will discuss changing the way people see and feel poverty. Behind Every Door wants to make lives better by building friendships and relationships in these communities!

In this episode, LaVonda Renfro is on-site from the 2023 Veritex Bank Championship! The Korn Ferry Tour's only stop in Texas. She chats with some of the Korn Ferry players, staff, and Veritex Bank volunteers. Get a peek into what goes on during this very exciting tournament.

This week, LaVonda visits with Darrion Lewis, President of Behind Every Door and creator of the Husbandhood podcast. Husbandhood is about men being good leaders as husbands and fathers. It's a platform created to explore the day-to-day life lessons applicable to what it's like to be a husband today. Their message is for husbands to desire to honor God, their wives, and their families. The podcast will give husbands a positive space that encourages and reminds them that they matter.

Make friends first, and the business will follow. That's the motto of our Women in Business program here at Veritex Bank. Check out what these powerful women have to say when it comes to balancing home life, work life, and networking with other strong women Texas!

This week, LaVonda visits with Single Mommies Can advocate Katrina Keys. Listen to this uplifting conversation about an organization that supports single teen mothers and offers resources and mentorship for a successful future. Compassion and positivity drive the conversation on this week's podcast. #TruthInTexasBanking #Community

Women's heart health is the topic this week. LaVonda welcomes Samantha Eppler and Jennifer Durban to speak about the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women initiative and upcoming event. We hope you take a moment to listen to this important topic for you and all the women in your life. #TruthinTexasBanking #HeartHealth #GoRedForWomen

It's a new year and LaVonda is kicking off 2023 with two Veritex bankers who share their stories of volunteering in the community. Does volunteering impact more than the community? The answer is yes and the stories that follow are moving!

Today, we reflect on the guests we've had throughout the year and how thankful we are that we get to be a part of their story. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Veritex Community Bank!

LaVonda Renfro sits down for a fun chat with two-time Veritex Bank Championship winner, Tyson Alexander and University of Texas Golf senior, Travis Vick. Recording from the Veritex Bank Houston Pro-Am at the Houston Country Club.

In this episode, LaVonda Renfro speaks to Lyndsay Levingston, founder and executive director of SurviveHer. Listen to Lyndsay's powerful story about her journey and what she is doing to educate and assist women through her non-profit breast cancer awareness organization. She truly exemplifies what it means to be a woman of success!

In today's episode, LaVonda speaks with Natalie Boyle of Mommies In Need. Did you know the most common reason women don't visit the doctor is lack of childcare accessibility? Find out what this non-profit is doing to alleviate this issue in Dallas, Texas.

October is a month dedicated to breast cancer awareness and with that on our minds, we thought it would be great to share the great efforts of our PGA golf ambassador, Ryan Palmer, and his foundation. For the next 20 minutes, hear from Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, share their very personal story with breast cancer in their family and how they were inspired to support other women in treatment for breast cancer. Hear how they put hope in the hands of cancer patients in today's episode.

Did you know our podcast debuted almost two years ago? Time flies by when you are having meaningful conversations with community leaders. To celebrate this milestone, we have complied our first "best of" show featuring Bill Cawley, (Cawley Partners) Cheryl Jackson (Minnie's Food Pantry), Jamey Rootes (Houston Texans) and Darlene Ellison (Veritex Community Bank). We hope you enjoy these conversations as much as we have!

Truth in Texas Banking – Josie Fields with Veritex Bank by LaVonda Renfro

Good communication between family, friends and your team at work is so important! In this episode of "Truth In Texas Banking" Adam Tarnow, leadership development expert and founder of Adam Tarnow & Company, joins us to talk about how you can improve your communications in all areas of your life! #truthintexasbanking #communication #leadership

Hunger is a complex issue. The mission of the North Texas Food Bank is to close the hunger gap by providing access to nutritious food for our neighbors. Hunger is vast in North Texas. The North Texas Food Bank serves thirteen counties through a network of almost 400 agencies to ensure they have nutritious food for their community!

Did you have a mentor early in your career? Have you ever considered being a mentor to a colleague or student? In this episode, LaVonda has a conversation with two Veritex Bankers, CastelHibbert & CharlesFrancis to discuss their roles as mentors at @TSU CommericalBankingProgram. We hear how to overcome the generation gaps between students and teachers, and how important relationship building is to everyone's career. We hope you enjoy this conversation!

On this episode of Truth in Texas Banking, LaVonda introduces Scott Coy, Veritex Bank's Chaplain. Did you know we have our very own Chaplain? Scott touches on how he uses his faith when giving employees hope during good and bad times. Available on #Spotify, #Soundcloud, #GooglePodcasts, and #ApplePodcasts.

Fresh from the Veritex Bank Championship, LaVonda shares the behind the scenes stories from the Korn Ferry Tour at the Texas Rangers Golf Course. Join us to hear from Veritex golf ambassadors, volunteers, the production crew who put on the event and community partners.

This week LaVonda catches up with Lisa Armstrong, Managing Director of Commercial Banking at Veritex Community Bank. They discuss how banking can lead to deeper ties with the community and the rewards that come with it. Available on #Spotify, #Soundcloud, #GooglePodcasts, and #ApplePodcasts #TruthInTexasBanking #CommunityLeaders #PeopleWithAPurpose

In this episode of Truth in Texas Banking, LaVonda speaks with Rocky Vest and Ken Ndegwa to discuss Break the Cycle and their fight to stop sex trafficking. These guys remind us that this is happening in our own backyard. Their mission is to spread awareness by cycling 200 miles for victims. Viewer discretion is advised.

In this episode of Truth in Texas Banking, LaVonda speaks with Doreen Griffith and Liz Robinson to discuss the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. These ladies remind us that heart health is the leading cause of death for women. Their mission is to spread awareness and bridge the gap with women and heart health.

In this episode of Truth in Texas Banking, LaVonda speaks with Rachel Powers, former Executive Director of the Citizens' Environmental Coalition. Rachel reminds us of how long progress takes with environmental issues but ultimately, it's worth the wait. Hear some great advice on how to make a difference.

Truth in Texas Banking – Veritex Bank Golf Ambassadors by LaVonda Renfro

It's Thanksgiving week and we are excited to share with you a story of gratitude, empathy, and what it truly means to be ingrained in your community. This week LaVonda has a great conversation with Daron Babcock, Executive Director of Bonton Farms. If you have 26 minutes we hope you spend it with us and learn more about this South Dallas organization who is giving resources to members of their community who are looking for a second chance and someone who believes in them.

In this episode of Truth in Texas Banking, LaVonda speaks with Abraham Ancer. Abraham is a PGA Tour Golfer as well as a part of #TeamVeritex, Veritex Bank Golf Ambassadors. On this episode, Ancer talks about growing up in Reynosa, Mexico where golf was not a very popular sport. Ancer's mission and purpose in life is to give back to his home country by working with the First Tee Mexico and encouraging kids to get into the golf not only for the game but to learn life lessons.

This week, LaVonda is joined by Career Gear's Executive Director, Jamay Schardien for an amazing conversation about supporting the veterans of our community. The saying "teach a man to fish" is truly their message to the community. Listen to a few life changing stories in this inspirational interview. Member FDIC.

In this episode of Truth in Texas Banking, LaVonda speaks with Jamie Miller with Veritex Bank. Jamie is the founder of the Wheels of Hope Car Show in downtown Garland, Texas. He talks about the history of how the car show came about and why he partners with the Hope Clinic.