Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Lone Star National Bank (LSNB) formally launched its Advantage: Small Business Education Program on September 24, 2025, at the bank’s headquarters in McAllen, Texas. The eight-week series is designed to provide small business owners with financial tools, mentorship, and direct access to banking expertise.
The session was led by Edgar Ruiz, a Commercial Loan Officer with over 20 years of experience in banking, and Marissa Marroquín, who co-hosted the kickoff event. Both underscored the program’s intention to bridge gaps between small business owners and financial institutions. “We’re ready to lend,” Ruiz told attendees. “My goal is to take away that intimidation and make this approachable.”
Marroquín emphasized the collaborative nature of the program. “Together, Edgar and I are committed to your success, but we can’t do this alone. We strongly encourage you to be engaged with these trainings, ask questions, and build community with one another,” she said.
The program includes eight themed sessions, covering topics such as treasury management, merchant services, financial statements, branding and marketing, business credit, leadership strategies, tax planning, and a capstone project. Each session builds toward creating a comprehensive business folder that participants can present to a banker for a complimentary review.
Bank leaders also addressed the importance of mentorship and long-term support. Chairman Alonzo Cantú, who conceived the program, offered words of encouragement: “We’re a small business bank, and we take care of small businesses. Some of our original owners have gone on to become successful community leaders. They grow, and we grow. That’s the loyalty we want to build.”
David Deanda, President of LSNB, attended the session alongside executive leadership, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to the initiative. The program was also supported by Victor Haddad, Chief Lending Officer, and Julian Alvarez, Director of Community Relations.
Participants were introduced to tools such as Positive Pay, designed to combat check fraud, and Remote Deposit Capture, which allows businesses to deposit checks from their offices until 9 p.m. Merchant services were highlighted by subject-matter experts Ricky Hernandez, Diana Alaniz, and Monica Sandoval, who explained options for accepting credit cards and mobile payments. Hernandez noted, “If you’re not taking advantage of accepting these methods, you’re potentially missing out on revenue.”
The event also featured an interactive SWOT analysis workshop, where business owners identified their company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Jonathan Greer of Coastal Wood Group described networking as a key opportunity, while Omar Mendoza of Next-Gen Builders discussed strategies for managing cash flow.
As the session concluded, Ruiz reminded participants of the bank’s philosophy: “We will not tell you no. It might not be right now, but never say no. We’ll tell you what you need to do to get there.”
Future sessions will cover emerging technology, financial planning, and growth strategies. Sean Salas, flying in from California, is set to lead Session 2, focusing on artificial intelligence use cases for small businesses. Organizers highlighted the importance of his visit, noting that “Silicon Valley is coming to the Valley.”
The program will continue weekly through the fall, with Lone Star National Bank providing lunch, professional headshots, and networking opportunities to encourage participation and community building among local entrepreneurs.
