Bruxvoort Finds Path in Mortgage
Steven Bruxvoort, loan operations manager for Community State Bank (CSB), enjoys being a part of the mortgage department. He was in this department for over five years as a mortgage processor before he left to manage the deposit operations team. After a year, he rejoined the mortgage team in his current role. “One of my favorite things about working in the mortgage department is that I get to be a resource to help people make their dreams come true by assisting them with the homebuying process,” he said.
Bruxvoort follows the ideas from the book, “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday. This book helped him understand that he shouldn’t shy away from difficult obstacles, but instead welcome and embrace them. He believes that when you face challenges, you will be better prepared for larger barriers in the future. He added, “When you change your mindset to be able to welcome challenge, you will be able to handle whatever is thrown at you.”
What is your job title/position at your bank?
I am the loan operations manager for CSB. I was a part of this team as a mortgage processor for over five years and left to manage our deposit operations team. After a year, a position opened to manage loan operations, and I was very excited to get the opportunity to come back to the team.
When looking back on your banking career, what achievement are you most proud of and why?
Last month, I was voted onto the board of directors for the Altoona Area Chamber of Commerce. I have been involved with them for the past year. It has been incredibly rewarding to be involved with my community while representing CSB.
What piece of advice would you give to your past self or to anyone considering a career in banking?
Be flexible and always willing to learn. The industry is constantly changing, and it is imperative to be able to adapt and be open to new technologies.
What is your best elevator pitch for why banking is a great career?
One of my favorite things about working in the mortgage department is that I get to be a resource to help people make their dreams come true by assisting them in the homebuying process. I also enjoy using my experience to be a resource for my community and helping make it a better place for my family.
How does getting involved with the Iowa Bankers Association help you and your bank?
I was a member of the 2024 class for the IBA Bank Leadership Institute which allowed me to connect with other bankers and build, hopefully, lifelong friends and colleagues. I’ve already utilized many of these connections for advice, and I speak with someone from the group at least once a week. I find that someone from a different institution has a new perspective and that can be very useful.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do most?
I am very passionate about music and enjoy playing guitar. I originally went to school in Los Angeles for music performance. While I do not play as much as I used to, I still find it peaceful and relaxing to sit down and play after a long day.
What is a quote or guiding principle you live by?
Not so much a quote, but I follow the principles from an entire book: “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday. The idea behind the book is to not shy away from the difficult things we encounter in life, but to welcome and embrace them instead. I firmly believe that every challenge we face prepares us to handle even more difficult things that we will inevitably experience in the future. When you change your mindset to be able to welcome challenge, you will be able to handle whatever is thrown at you.