LOCATIONS CONTACT CAREERS SIGN IN PERSONAL BUSINESS ABOUT RESOURCES NEWSROOM Who Are We Defining integrity since 1912. For over 100 years, your best interest has been our best interest. There has been nothing more important to us than your success. We are committed to providing excellent service to our valued clients and our community, and we are honored to have the opportunity to do so. Our History Doors Opened On January 25, 1912 the doors opened for the first bank in the new town of Ralls under the name of W.E. McLaughlin, Banker, Unincorporated, with a capitalization of $11,000. It was an unincorporated private bank. Growth In 1914 McLaughlin opened another bank with the same name in Lorenzo. McLaughlin put up the capital, but his sons ran the banks under his supervision. They installed cutting-edge technology – a private telephone connection between the banks. When World War I broke out and one son went off to war McLaughlin sold the Lorenzo bank. Standing Firm In 1918, there was a banking panic in the United States. W.E. McLaughlin, Banker was especially vulnerable as an unincorporated private bank. To prevent a run on his bank, McLaughlin obtained a state bank charter and joined the newly created Texas Guaranty Fund (a precursor to the FDIC) and thus W.E. McLaughlin, Banker, became Guaranty State Bank in Ralls and irrevocably subject to government regulation and examination. Resolve By 1921 the onerous assessments of the Guaranty Fund had become a drain on the bank’s resources so McLaughlin took the bank out of the fund and changed the name to Security State Bank & Trust Co. In 1933 another bank panic occurred. President Roosevelt ordered all banks in the United States to be closed and examined. After 100 days the banks which were found to be solvent were allowed to re-open – with new FDIC deposit insurance to calm public fears. McLaughlin’s bank was one of the few in West Texas that was allowed to re-open. The rest were either reorganized by new owners with new capital or closed and liquidated. Continued Prosperity In 1984 the McLaughlin family formed McLaughlin Bancshares and purchased the Idalou State Bank from the Gerald Ford Group. In 1987, immediately after the legalization of branch banking in Texas, the Ralls bank opened a branch in Lorenzo. In 1992 the Ralls bank opened a branch in Crosbyton and the Idalou bank opened a branch in Abernathy. At this same time the names of both banks were changed to Security Bank to allow for joint marketing through a common brand. Continued Growth In 1998 the First State Bank in Petersburg was purchased and merged into the Ralls bank. In 2000, the Idalou and Ralls banks merged into one bank with six locations. In 2002 FNB West Texas, with locations in Hale Center and Plainview, was purchased and merged into Security Bank. New Brand In 2008 the McLaughlin family decided to expand the bank outside of agricultural lending, and to begin with two new branches in Lubbock. A new name, Vista Bank, was chosen to facilitate marketing a new and appropriate brand and image. In 2009 two new branches in Lubbock were opened, resulting in a total of 10 branches. Dallas Market In April of 2015, Vista Bank entered the Dallas market. With an established and ever growing client base in the area, Vista Bank opened a Loan Production Office in downtown Dallas to better serve their commercial clients. Less than three years later, in March of 2018, Vista opened a drive-thru location on Preston Road to accommodate clients' branch needs. Fort Worth Market Vista Bank expanded into the thriving Fort Worth market in February of 2016 by opening a Loan Production Office in the center of Fort Worth. Austin Market May, 2017. With an ever growing client base, Vista Bank expanded into the thriving Austin market by opening a full service branch. Our Valued Clients We strive to provide our clients with the latest in banking technologies, the highest levels of security, and the utmost in convenience and service. Your success is our priority. View Customer Spotlights › Our Communities Vista Bank helps support our communities by reaching out, inspiring others, and giving back. See how we are giving back to our communities. View Vista Outreach › My experience with Vista Bank has been an extremely positive one and I look forward to spreading the good word and working with you all in the future. - Laura Personal Personal Checking Overview Personal Loans Savings, CDs, IRAs Business Business Checking Overview Business Lending CDs and Savings Treasury Management Quick Links COVID Resource Center Fraud Resource Center Business Resource Center Locations Contact Financial Forms Lost or Stolen Card Careers Download Adobe Reader News Vista Newsroom Privacy Policy Copyright © 2020 Vista Bank