Empowering Communities Together

When asked why OakStar Bank is a great place to work, new team member Kylee Brown was quick to respond. “That’s a tough question to answer because there are so many things to choose from. But if I had to sum it up, it’s because OakStar really cares about its team members, its customers, and its community.”
Community focus is a big part of why Kylee joined OakStar Bank as SVP, Director of Affordable Housing and Tax Credit Lending, in June of this year. A community housing veteran, Kylee is well-versed in the affordable housing needs of the Springfield metro area. At OakStar, she focuses on developing and stabilizing affordable housing for low- and middle-income individuals in the Springfield community—as well as in other Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado communities that OakStar currently serves.

“Unfortunately, there’s a huge need for affordable housing across the country, and Springfield is no exception,” Kylee says. “Right now, the need in our community is bigger than the supply, but what’s exciting is that OakStar is working to solve this need by collaborating with local developers, decision makers, and individuals.”

One such collaborative opportunity will take place at the Affordable Housing Symposium in Springfield, where Kylee will speak on the Advancing Affordable Housing: Strategies and Partnerships panel. The event, which will take place in eFactory’s Jay Wasson Idea Loft space at 405 N Jefferson in Springfield, is open to the public and runs from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm on October 31, 2024. It will feature speakers from the Springfield area and out of state. According to Kylee, the event will be a great way for decision makers and local individuals to learn more about how they can jump-start providing affordable housing to the community through strategic partnerships.

Partnerships matter to the team at OakStar, and they work hard to come up with excellent financing options and incorporate low-income housing tax credit programs and other public funding opportunities. That wealth of options allows them to be a key partner to local developers.

“OakStar is unique in the way we personalize solutions to meet our customers’ and community’s needs,” says Luke Fraser, SEVP, Chief Operating Officer. “We put time and effort into the things that matter, and our team members are proud of that.”

“Knowing I’m helping solve problems makes me and the rest of the team here at OakStar excited to come to work,” adds Kylee.