Lone Star National Bank on a rollout plan to be closer to customers
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition May 2018
“Good morning. Buenos Dias, and welcome to our newest future location for Lone Star National Bank. My name is Edna De Saro, and I have the pleasure and honor of serving as senior vice president and marketing director for this amazing company.” That’s how the ceremony started with a lot of excitement.
It is without a doubt that 2018 was has become a milestone for Lone Star National Bank (LSNB). They celebrated their 35th anniversary in January, and today they are celebrating a third groundbreaking ceremony that represents a third bank location in less than six months.
De Saro said, “It’s really simple, there’s no secret formula, we are an organization that is based on a foundation of hard work and giving back to our communities, which starts from the very top.”
Father Amador Garza of Holy Spirit Parish in Progreso Texas always gives of his time when called to pray. This time he said, “This is my third groundbreaking, so I had to do a different prayer. I thought I’d begin this morning with a reading from the first letter of the Corinthians because I think it’s very appropriate for what is about to happen here.” He continued, “For we are God’s servants working together, you are God’s fields according to the grace of God given to me like a skill to master to build a later foundation and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it for no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid. That foundation is Jesus Christ, the Word of the lord.”
David Deanda Jr., President and CEO for Lone Star National Bank said, “I’m proud to be part of a team that works hard to service a community.” He continued, “Our board of directors has done an outstanding job, and I am proud to be a part of that team that helps build great executive leaders.”
Lone Star National Bank does make a difference, aside from giving back, their team is trained to exercise social responsibility. They know the importance of volunteering and participating in hundreds of events annually across South Texas.
Deanda also pointed out that he can’t wait for the branch to open of which he said to be a strategic location to serve their clients.
The City of McAllen was represented by commissioner Veronica Whitaker, and she said, “Congratulations Lone Star National Bank for this new branch, and thank you for investing in the City of McAllen.”
Lone Star National Bank opened its first location in January 1983 in Pharr, Texas with ten employees providing retail banking and commercial banking for small businesses. The bank subsequently opened more locations in the Rio Grande Valley, starting with a banking center in McAllen Texas in 1994.
In August 2000, it opened its first banking center outside of Hidalgo County in Rio Grande City, Texas. This was followed by a location opening in Brownsville in 2001. The bank’s first office outside of the Rio Grande Valley was opened in Bexar County in San Antonio in early 2010, with three more centers added; one in 2011 and two in 2013. LSNB currently operates with over 700 staff in 33 locations in the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio.
“Just to add a little bit to what the commissioner said, it’s always exciting when you see capital invested in a community,” Steve Ahlenius said. “I was talking to David a little while ago, one of the things that struck me regarding the Lone Star National Bank story is how strategic they try to be in the decisions and investments they make.”
He also pointed out that it’s a lot different market than it was 35 years ago. “So, on behalf of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the business community we wish you the best of business.”
In 2016, the Texas Department of Banking placed Lone Star National Bank at 39 out of 100 according to asset size.
