On the edge of East Texas, more than a century ago, growth followed the railroads. Lumber and crops pulled people inward, and small towns began to hum with possibility.
As communities like Nacogdoches took shape, local leaders understood that progress required more than transportation and trade; it required trust. Banks emerged not as distant institutions but as neighbors, built to support the people and businesses putting down roots.
That philosophy has guided Commercial Bank of Texas since its earliest days.
Founded in 1901, the bank grew alongside the communities it served, shaped by leaders who believed banking was as much about people as it was about dollars.
“They weren’t just bankers,” said Jerry Baker, former CEO and Board Member and descendent of CBTx’s founding families. “They were entrepreneurs, working for the benefit of the communities.”
125 years later, that mindset continues to inform how Commercial Bank of Texas shows up, especially in fast-growing markets such as McKinney.
Marking 125 years by growing with the community
The 125-year milestone represents more than longevity; it reflects a long-standing belief that a bank’s success is inseparable from the success of the communities it serves.
A simple statement from former CBTx President, Thomas W. Baker, in 1951 captures that belief.
“The bank will prosper only as the community prospers,” he said.
In McKinney, that belief has earned recognition; the branch has been named Best of McKinney four years in a row.
This is largely due to the bank focusing on growing alongside the people who live and work there. This approach has allowed the bank to adapt to modern demands while staying grounded in its original purpose.
That balance is evident in how the bank has approached technology over the decades.
A banker within the organization remembers the day Commercial Bank of Texas installed its very first computers; a moment that marked a significant shift from handwritten ledgers to digital systems.
Rather than viewing technology as a replacement for personal service, the bank embraces it as a way to serve customers more effectively. Previous Board Member, Diane Baker, noted the importance of meeting customers where they are, especially those less comfortable with new tools.
“That’s what banking is all about: being helpers,” Diane Baker said.
Investing in people
The bank’s commitment to people begins internally. For Senior Marketing Director Brad McGuire, the bank’s emphasis on development is personal.
McGuire didn’t set out to build a career in banking. After working in pharmaceutical marketing and spending time as a professional musician, he entered the industry.
What drew him to Commercial Bank of Texas wasn’t a job title but a culture. Eight years ago, McGuire joined the bank as a marketing assistant. Since then, Commercial Bank of Texas has invested in his growth through advanced education, leadership development and community-based programs.
“They do this for everybody,” McGuire said. “Everybody that is willing to put the work in and do extra work outside of eight to five will be invested in.”
A visible presence in McKinney
McKinney team members are active participants in civic and nonprofit organizations throughout the city.
They are involved with:
- McKinney Chamber of Commerce, including a Board Member and ambassadors
- McKinney Rotary Club, with multiple members serving in leadership roles
- McKinney Education Foundation, with a Board Member
- Involvement with local churches and schools
That involvement reflects what the bank calls “Banking Texas Style”: a philosophy centered on knowing customers personally and showing up when it matters most.
“Banking Texas style is going above and beyond, ... having the heart to care and the understanding to be different,” Market President Brian Dale said.
Real stories of community impact
McGuire recently saw that philosophy play out through a McKinney business owner he had known since college. When the entrepreneur sought to expand his commercial insurance company, Commercial Bank of Texas helped finance the new location.
The bank’s team attended the ribbon cutting, celebrating not just a completed transaction but a growing partnership.
“We wanted to grow with him,” McGuire said.
Dale recalls teams working late into the night during the pandemic to ensure businesses received payroll funding, or bankers driving across the Metroplex to gather documents so a customer’s loan could move forward. Laptops go home each night not as a perk, but as a practical tool, allowing bankers to answer calls after hours, on weekends or when a quick decision can make all the difference.
Community Relations Officer Andrea Rodgers has seen similar dedication play out both professionally and personally. She recalls working with a local business owner whose expansion plans had been declined elsewhere. By taking a deeper look at partnerships, inventory and long-term potential, the bank helped structure a solution that allowed the business to grow.
Two years later, the company had more than doubled its revenue.
“I am forever thankful to CBTx for allowing me to continue my dream and grow this business when nobody else would even talk to me,” the business owner said.
For Rodgers, the culture hit even closer to home during a recent ice storm when a time-sensitive home closing threatened to derail her purchase. Despite the bank being closed and roads iced over, funds were delivered to the title company within an hour.
“Any of our relationship clients would have received that same exceptional level of service,” Rodgers said. “I was so proud of my bank.”
Looking ahead, rooted in independence
Commercial Bank of Texas remains committed to staying an independent, community-focused institution. Leadership views that independence as essential not only to the bank’s future, but to the health of the communities it serves.
After 125 years, the path forward looks much like the one that began along the railroads of East Texas: stay connected, invest in people and treat customers like neighbors.
In McKinney, that philosophy continues to guide how Commercial Bank of Texas shows up today and for generations to come.
Click here to learn more about Commercial Bank of Texas today. Member FDIC.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.