Superior Bank Expands Mortgage Banking Team

In order to double its mortgage banking operation, Superior Bank of Alabama announced Tuesday that it will add more than 60 people to its existing operation.
[IMAGE] ""We feel there is a tremendous opportunity in both Alabama and Florida not only to increase shareholder value but also to help people achieve their dream of home ownership through the expansion of our mortgage operation,"" Rick Gardner, president of Superior Bank, said.

Gardner explained that in the last several years, Superior Bank has invested in new systems, expanded its product offering, and built a reputation of delivering a ""superior"" level of service.
[COLUMN_BREAK] With an expanding branch network and growing customer base, Garner believes there is a tremendous opportunity to serve in the market.

The expanded mortgage banking operation will serve customers primarily in bank branches across Alabama, and the bank also plans to add additional support positions in the Birmingham area to help applicants through the mortgage loan process. Gardner said the mortgage business is the core to the bank's relationship with consumers, and Superior Bank plans to take advantage of opportunities to expand this business line in Alabama and Florida over the coming years.

""With 72 bank branches, we want to ensure that we can fulfill our customers' mortgage banking needs in a timely manner,"" Gardner said. ""This expansion will allow us to significantly increase the number of customers we can serve in our communities and to demonstrate the value that customers receive when doing business with Superior.""

Superior Bank, the major subsidiary of Superior Bancorp, claims to be one of Alabama's leading home mortgage lenders. As 1st Community Credit and Superior Financial Services, Superior Bank operates 23 consumer finance offices in North Alabama.