Robby Hawkins

Robby Hawkins of Lexa, Ark., is a single dad of three boys aged 10, 12, and 14. With that full-time job plus his actual occupation as a truck driver — through which he often hits six states or more in the same week — and the three-bedroom trailer they were living in becoming dilapidated, “life” was taking a toll, and Robby was in need of a break. He had a dream to purchase a home for his family that was also closer to his parents, who help with the boys while he’s on the road, but the savings foundation needed to unlock this opportunity was out of his reach.

That’s when he found out about Southern Bancorp’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program, which provides eligible individuals and families an opportunity to get their hard-earned savings matched for a major life purchase — such as a home.

While he was on the road on a big rig in New Mexico, Southern Bancorp’s nonprofit, lending, and IDA teams got Robby and his boys squared away with the application, approval process, IDA funding for his down payment, and an affordable home loan to seal the deal.

When all was said and done, Robby came out as a first-time homeowner and is living in a bigger and better space for his family’s needs, while simultaneously spending less money per month on his mortgage than he was for rent.