As originally published first by Texas Border Business newsprint Edition
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
Community banks have traditionally been the lifelines of the small and medium-size businesses. They make a critical contribution to the prosperity of both their local communities and the nation as a whole. However, there are some banks that truly serve their community and as a consequence they grow more as is evident with Lone Star National Bank (LSNB).
S. David Deanda, Jr., President for Lone Star National Bank is a seasoned banker whose first priority is to serve the bank’s 76,000 customers through twenty-seven branches in the Rio Grande Valley and five in San Antonio.
Lone Star National Bank was founded in January of 1983 by a group of local businessmen that wanted to be a part of a business that would have the opportunity to serve the people of the Rio Grande Valley. The idea was to assist families and small family-owned businesses.
Deanda discussed with Texas Border Business the role community banking organizations, like the one he leads, play in supporting the health of our economy, as well as some of the challenges they face as a banking institution. He said that he began working at Lone Star National Bank in August of 1993 and in April of 2003 became President and COO.
He also pointed out that in a community bank, personal interaction and a listening ear are all hallmark benefits of banking with Lone Star National Bank. “These benefits combined with our premier financial services are all valuable to the customer,” he said.
Deanda was born in Alice, Texas to Samuel David Deanda, Sr. and Linda Deanda. He graduated from Texas A & I University in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
“After graduating from college I began my banking career with a small bank in Kingsville and lived there for about four years.” He said, “Thanks to a more experienced banker and mentor in many ways I had the opportunity to move to Carrizo Springs and be a part of a small group of leaders who were able to assist in turning a failing Bank around.”
He said that those early years were critical to his development as a banker because it was during that time that he got a chance to really learn the ins and outs of all aspects of banking.
Deanda is proud to say that he is not one of those presidents who were dropped in the role. “I have worked in most areas of a bank, consequently I know how each aspect of a bank should function properly.”
He said that after the Carrizo Springs bank became stable, he learned of an opportunity to take a position with Texas State Bank in McAllen. “At the time I thought it was a good opportunity to grow on my own apart from my mentor and to be exposed to the operations of a larger bank.” He continued, “Only God knew that the move had little to do with changing jobs. It was more about moving my family to a great community where together would be able to grow in many different ways.”
“My wife and I moved our family to the Valley in March of 1990,” he added.
What inspired you to do what you do? “I originally became a banker because it was a good job for a young college graduate. Today I get inspired everyday by helping people in different walks of life accomplish their goals and live their dreams.”
How do you and LSNB engage with the Small Business Administration (SBA)? “Since Lone Star National Bank seeks to help small businesses, we partnered with the SBA so that together we can make flexible repayment terms available to small businesses so that those businesses can more easily qualify for loans,” he said.
In this regard, Deanda was honored for his leadership and contributions to the business community in the Rio Grande Valley by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office. He was recognized during the 2014 Small Business Week Awards.
The ceremony was held on Friday, May 9, 2014 and was hosted by the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Not all banks participate partnering with SBA, so this is an important service that Lone Star National Bank provides to this community.
He said the banking industry carries a big responsibility however he feels that it is their job to walk along side individuals, families, and businesses as they live out their dreams.
“Throughout history, anyone who wanted to accomplish anything in life, whether it be on a personal, family or business level, has usually found it necessary to utilize financing in order to allow them to accomplish their goal, and for that reason we are here to lend a hand.”
He pointed out that Lone Star National Bank works with clients with different needs. They can be, “sending your child to college, taking that brave first step to financial freedom by starting a business, getting married, and bringing newborn children home from the hospital are great parts of life that can at times be scary, and we have been there with our clients.” He said that this is a commitment part of the foundation of Lone Star National Bank.
Deanda told Texas Border Business, “Integrity is the essence of our dealings because our organizational character reflects on every member of the Rio Grande Valley and the other communities we serve.”
He also mentioned that Lone Star National Bank has provided unique services since its inception. “We offer our customers all of the benefits of a big bank, but with the personal touch and interaction of a small community bank, and that is a solid relationship with our customers,” he said.
He emphasized that today, more than ever, it is important to know your loan officer but more importantly that your loan officer knows you well.
Are you planning to continue the bank’s expansion in the RGV or other cities? “Absolutely, we are always looking to continue our expansion across the RGV.
We have a responsibility to strive to be the premier financial institution in the Rio Grande Valley.
We are also looking to expand our presence in the San Antonio market. We are excited about the possibilities, however, we don’t limit our vision to just these two markets.”
Deanda said that it is important for a community to have a bank that understands community values. “For example, in the RGV we have all either learned, or have tried to teach our children, hard work, perseverance, and kindness to others and the importance of helping our neighbors.” He continued, “Even though the Valley has grown dramatically those values continue to be a part of the Valley and our leadership does not forget these values when we walk into Board Meetings,” he said.
He pointed out that in the case of San Antonio, which has grown significantly, it still holds small community values. “We are now in the process of showing the citizens of San Antonio that we are part of their community because we share their values and because together we can accomplish great things.”
Are banking regulations letting you service the business community? “I get this question a lot. The answer to this question is that because of the power of the free market and the strength and health of Lone Star National Bank on all levels, overcautious regulators who are not familiar with the market, but who try to impose burdensome regulations will never be able to hinder us from assisting the business community.”
Is it difficult for businesspeople to obtain a loan nowadays? “Let me make it very clear, Lone Star National Bank is ready to lend if you are a responsible businessman or businesswoman and have met your financial obligations in the past, we are ready to lend.”
In addition, he said that it is important to have a clear and accurate vision of where you are going and how you are going to get there and how will it look financially.
Currently Lone Star National Bank has 625 employees and all them are encouraged to give back to the community with their personal time. “Donating time and being involved in our community to make it a stronger community is not an option, it is a responsibility.”
Deanda said that they set company goals to track their community service and hold each other accountable so that they always remember that community involvement and service is a top priority.
Are you married and to whom? “I am married to a wonderful woman, her name is Vivian Deanda. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful wife who I consider to be a great partner and a great friend.”
How did you meet your wife? Was it love at first sight? “If it was love at first sight I certainly don’t remember. The reason I don’t remember is because the first time we met she was in 4th Grade and I was in 5th Grade. My family lived in Alice, Texas, a small town not too far from Kingsville, Texas for a while when I was growing up and Vivian’s family was from Alice. Our families knew of each other since it was a small community. We went to school together for a short period of time. It wasn’t until years later, during college that we became reacquainted when mutual friends reintroduced us.”
What are the things that you most admire about your wife? “I admire her spiritual conviction. I am a Christian and one thing I have learned from my wife over the course of many years is that Christianity is not about religion.
It is a relationship with God that either permeates every aspect of who you are, or it is non-existent. God offers to every person the opportunity to interact with Him. We do this by praying -talking to God- and listening to Him talk to us as we are reading
His Word. Like any relationship, the more time you spend with someone, the better the relationship. A relationship with God is supremely important.”
David and Vivian have two children, Robert, 30 years of age. Robert is a graduate of St. Mary’ University and St. Mary’s University School of Law. He resides and works as a local attorney in private practice in the valley; he owns his firm ROBERT R. DEANDA, PLLC. “We spend a lot of time together playing golf and just hanging out. My daughter’s name is Alyse Deanda 16. She will be a senior at Sharyland High School in the Fall and is always busy with school, extracurricular activities and planning for college. I also spend a lot of time with her, whether it be by going out to eat, or watching TV together, or going to the movies. I am happy to say that as a family we spend a lot of time together.”
How do you handle stress? “I read my Bible to refocus on things that are important. I spend time reading my Bible and praying and interacting with my family so that I can constantly be reminded that what’s happening in any one moment is not as important as whether you are honoring God with your life. As long as you are honoring God and treating others with respect, nothing else really matters. It puts everything in perspective.
When you leave this earth, how would you like to be remembered? “Being remembered is not important. I only care if the Lord says that He knew me and I served Him and if my children and family remember that the most important thing in life is to know and serve God. Everything else is of little significance.”
If you had a chance to relive your personal and professional life again, what would you do differently? “Overall, I wouldn’t do anything differently. The most important role I have is that of husband and father. I have been blessed with my wonderful wife Vivian and two wonderful children. I am in an amazing industry and I am blessed to be a part of an organization with great people led by a great Board of Directors. I have a very blessed life.”
S. David Deanda, Jr. is June 2014 Exclusive featured story of Texas Border Business because of his commitment to the business community of the Rio Grande Valley and because of his solid values as a professional and as a family man. David, Happy Father’s Day!
S. David Deanda, Jr. serves:
Board of the Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS);
President of the Mission Economic Development Corporation;
Board of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance;
Member of Palm Valley Church;
Part owner of the 2-time NBA D-League Champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers;
Lone Star National Bank Board of Directors; and
Senior Executive with most authority within the entire organization. TBB
Written by Roberto Hugo Gonzalez the 2009 SBA Journalist of the Year Award Winner & The Rotary 2009 and 2012 Paul Harris Award recipient.
