As Mortgage Systems and Process Improvement Manager at Southern Bancorp Bank, Eric Steitz has played a central role in transforming how the organization serves its mission-driven mortgage operations. Over the past year, he led the seamless rollout of a new mortgage technology stack — including Encompass, nCino, Total Expert, Optimal Blue and Xactus — executed within a tight 90-day timeline. What set his leadership apart wasn’t just the precision of implementation, but the way he grounded it in people-first training and culturally fluent onboarding.
Steitz approached every system rollout with a focus on real-world usability, designing learning experiences that empowered loan officers and operations staff to serve historically underserved communities with clarity and confidence. He tailored support materials to diverse teams, built trust across departments and ensured that no one was left behind in the transition — delivering not only technical adoption but mission-aligned capability.
His background as a licensed mortgage loan originator and award-winning learning strategist gives him a rare ability to translate complex processes into practical, accessible tools. That dual perspective has helped Southern Bancorp scale operations without compromising its community development mission.
Steitz exemplifies the bank’s core values — building trusted relationships, ensuring long-term sustainability and driving equity through operational excellence. Whether customizing workflows or walking a frontline team through a new system, he brings clarity, consistency and purpose to every initiative. His work doesn’t just improve systems; it empowers Southern Bancorp’s people to serve better — and that’s the impact that truly lasts.
Name:
Eric Steitz
Title:
Mortgage Systems and Process Improvement Manager
Company Name:
Southern Bancorp
