Amarillo National Bank
Amarillo National Bank’s 78209 Branch Location
Connects with Customers Throughout the Alamo City
By Bruce X. Forey | Photography by David Teran
A bank headquartered in the Texas panhandle is quickly making an impression in San Antonio and the 78209 community. Amarillo National Bank (ANB) is a fifth-generation family-owned bank – started by B.T. Ware in 1892. ANB offers a range of traditional retail banking services including personal and business money accounts, personal and home loans, and a variety of wealth management services. Their niche in commercial loans created an opportunity for the bank to expand operations in San Antonio.
“The bank had been lending money and building a client base in San Antonio for the last 15 to 20 years,” said Travis Edlund, lending market executive and senior vice president for Amarillo National Bank.
Travis is a lifelong San Antonian and second-generation banker with experience working for other San Antonio financial institutions. He was aware of ANB’s presence in the market and felt there was an opportunity for the bank to serve more customers locally.
“I made a pitch to the leadership team in Amarillo that they should open a full bank in San Antonio,” Travis recalled. “I think there had been discussions to explore our market, so I just connected with them at the right time.”
Amarillo National arrived in San Antonio in 2020 and offered loans only. In December 2022, it opened its full-service bank here. The 78209 branch, along Loop 410, is an ideal location for the company. The previous tenant was a bank, so the space was already set up for a banking operation. Being close to the airport also made it ideal for bank executives to make a short commute when flying from and to Amarillo.
“The main consideration is we have a lot of customers that live in the 78209 area,” said Travis. “We wanted our branch close to where they reside and have their businesses.”
Travis says ANB is steadily expanding its clients and deposit base. The bank reports adding 25 to 40 accounts per month, contributing to almost $100 million in deposits. Travis adds most of the new accounts come from nearby residents. Loan customers opening personal and business checking accounts are also part its growth. He also believes Amarillo National Banks’s small town, and personalized approach of customer service, resonates with clients.
“We offer online banking, but some people just feel better coming inside and talking to one of our professional and courteous team members,” Travis added. “Plus, we have a unique banking lobby that features art from surrounding schools. Our décor doesn’t feel like a traditional bank environment.”
Money talks, and ANB attracts new customers with competitive interest rates, up to four percent, on checking and savings accounts. Travis stated most banks are making more margins these days due to higher interest rates. Instead of pocketing all the excess revenue, Amarillo National shares success with its account holders.
“Many banks are still paying less than one percent on their checking or savings accounts. It gives us an advantage to earn business when we pay triple the interest rate compared to most of our competitors,” Travis added.
As a family, privately held bank, Amarillo National doesn’t operate with local advisory boards like other financial institutions. Many of its customers appreciate the discretion ANB extends to clients.
“No matter how big or small the loan, no one in town is going to know about it. Many of the families we do business with appreciate that the transaction stays private.”
Amarillo National Bank quickly got involved in supporting the community through charitable contributions. The bank sponsored a booth for Fiesta’s Alamo Heights Night, which benefits local nonprofit organizations through the Alamo Heights Rotary Club. ANB also contributes directly to the San Antonio Sports Academy, SA Life Academy, Any Baby Can, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Boysville, and SA Hope Center, along with other causes.
