Selma’s personal banker — that’s what Steve South is striving to be. South recently accepted a job as loan officer at First Cahawba Bank, a job he said he is very excited about.

“I’m excited to be here. It’s a great bank with great people,” South said. “And Selma’s my home, my wife and I are both from here.”

Born and raised in Selma, South graduated from Morgan Academy in 2000 and then went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama.

After graduation, South worked at a Compass Bank branch in Tuscaloosa as a loan officer, mainly dealing with consumer and business accounts. And although he enjoyed his work there, South said he knew he eventually wanted to come home and work in Selma.

“I moved back in 2007 and took a job at Cooper Brother Construction,” South said.

South worked with Cooper Brothers until December 2012, serving as director of operations.

“I knew I wanted to get back into banking though, so when this position at Cahawba became available, I was very happy,” he said.

With his first banking experience being at a large corporate branch, South said it is refreshing to now be working at a community bank.

“It’s a big difference, but it’s very enjoyable,” South said of working at First Cahawba. “It’s given me a lot more flexibility to really cater to the customer I’m serving.”

As the bank’s loan officer, South said his goal is to create personal relationships with all his customers both business and consumer. Also, South said he has an advantage when it comes to banking because he’s worked in the field before and understands the needs of customers.

“I think I can better serve them as a result of that,” South said of his past experience.

Other than working at First Cahawba, South said he enjoys spending time with his family.

“I have a four-year-old and another [child] on the way,” South said. “I’m just happy to be here. Selma is home and I want to contribute to the success of my hometown.”