Banking on Relationships

Tim Southerland and Kayla Hoffman prove that community banking is still built on trust, relationships, and hometown values.

For Tim Southerland and Kayla Hoffman, years in the banking industry have been marked by mutual respect, shared values, and a passion for serving the Burleson community. Today, they represent two respected financial institutions located on opposite sides of Interstate 35, but their approach to banking remains remarkably similar: put people first, build lasting relationships, and invest in the community they call home.

Tim brings more than four decades of banking experience to his role as Senior Vice President- Burleson Branch President of NBT Financial Bank. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for relationship-based banking, helping families, business owners, and community leaders navigate important financial decisions. Along the way, he worked with countless banking professionals, including one who would eventually become a respected leader in her own right.

That professional is Kayla Hoffman.

With more than 14 years of banking experience, Kayla has built an impressive career through hard work, dedication, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. Today, she serves as Assistant Vice President at Ciera Bank, where she specializes in both consumer and commercial lending. While her career path has taken her to a different institution, many of the values that guide her approach to banking were shaped early in her professional journey.

Their story is one of shared values, community involvement, and a commitment to helping Burleson thrive. While Tim and Kayla work for different banks, both understand that community banking is about far more than transactions. It is about trust. It is about relationships. And most importantly, it is about people.

Located on the same road and on opposite sides of I-35, the two bankers remain connected by a common goal: helping local families, businesses, and organizations succeed.

We sat down with Tim and Kayla to talk about community banking, career lessons, and the relationships that have shaped their careers.

Q: Tim, when Kayla first entered banking, did you see leadership potential?

Tim: Absolutely. One thing that stood out was her willingness to learn. Banking can teach you the technical side of the business, but you can’t teach someone to genuinely care about people. Kayla always had that. She built relationships naturally, and that’s what makes great bankers.

Q: Kayla, what was one of the biggest lessons you learned over the years?

Kayla: Relationships matter. Products change, technology changes, and the banking industry changes, but relationships never go out of style. Watching experienced bankers, like Tim, interact with customers taught me that people want someone they can trust, especially when making important financial decisions.

Q: What makes community banking different from larger institutions?

Tim: Local decisions. Local relationships. When you know your customers and your community, you can provide a level of service that’s hard to duplicate.

Kayla: I agree. We aren’t just serving accounts. We’re serving neighbors, business owners, teachers, families, and friends. That’s what makes community banking special, we live here too!

Q: What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about the other?

Kayla: Tim remembers everyone. I honestly think he knows half of Johnson County by name.

Tim: Kayla has an incredible work ethic and is deeply committed to the people she serves.

Q: What role does community involvement play in your careers?

Tim: It’s a huge part of what we do. Community banking means showing up, supporting local organizations, and investing in the people around you. That’s how strong communities are built.

Kayla: I couldn’t agree more. Whether it’s supporting local businesses, serving with organizations, or helping someone achieve a personal goal, those relationships are what make this profession so rewarding.

Q: Last question. What do you both hope people remember about you?

Tim: That I cared about the people I served and tried to make a difference in my community.

Kayla: The same. At the end of the day, banking isn’t about loans or accounts. It’s about helping people achieve their goals and being someone they can count on.

While Tim and Kayla may represent different banks today, their shared commitment to service, relationships, and community remains unchanged. In an industry that continues to evolve, they serve as a reminder that trust, integrity, and hometown values never go out of style.

More importantly, they are two community leaders helping make Burleson stronger every day.