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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey weren\u2019t just bankers,\u201d said Jerry Baker, former CEO and Board Member and descendent of CBTx\u2019s founding families. \u201cThey were entrepreneurs, working for the benefit of the communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
125 years later, that mindset continues to inform how Commercial Bank of Texas shows up, especially in fast-growing markets such as Allen.<\/p>\n
Marking 125 years by growing with the community<\/p>\n
The 125-year milestone represents more than longevity; it reflects a long-standing belief that a bank\u2019s success is inseparable from the success of the communities it serves.<\/p>\n
A simple statement from former CBTx President, Thomas W. Baker, in 1951 captures that belief.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bank will prosper only as the community prospers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That principle has proven durable, even as Texas communities have changed dramatically. Allen\u2019s growth has been rapid and expansive, creating new opportunities for businesses, families and financial institutions alike.![\"CBTx](\"https:\/\/communityimpact.com\/uploads\/images\/2026\/02\/13\/409751.png\")
Commercial Bank of Texas original locationRather than chasing growth for its own sake, Commercial Bank of Texas has focused on growing alongside the people who live and work there; an approach that has allowed the bank to adapt to modern demands while staying grounded in its original purpose.<\/p>\n
That balance is evident in how the bank has approached technology over the decades.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what banking is all about: being helpers,\u201d Diane Baker said.<\/p>\n
Investing in people<\/p>\n
The bank\u2019s commitment to people begins internally. For Senior Marketing Director Brad McGuire, the bank\u2019s emphasis on development is personal.<\/p>\n
McGuire didn\u2019t set out to build a career in banking. After working in pharmaceutical marketing and spending time as a professional musician, he entered the industry.<\/p>\n
What drew him to Commercial Bank of Texas wasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do this for everybody,\u201d McGuire said. \u201cEverybody that is willing to put the work in and do extra work outside of eight to five will be invested in.\u201d<\/p>\n
A visible presence in Allen<\/p>\n
In Allen, team members are active participants in civic, educational and nonprofit organizations.![\"CBTx](\"https:\/\/communityimpact.com\/uploads\/images\/2026\/02\/13\/409754.png\")
Commercial Bank of Texas Allen branchThe Allen team is involved with:<\/p>\n
The Allen Chamber of CommerceAllen Rotary ClubAllen ISD FoundationLeadership Allen and Leadership Lovejoy programsLocal school booster clubs and district eventsCity of Lucas and Lovejoy community eventsThat involvement reflects what the bank calls \u201cbanking Texas style\u201d: a philosophy centered on knowing customers personally and showing up when it matters most.<\/p>\n
\u201cBanking Texas style is going above and beyond, … having the heart to care and the understanding to be different,\u201d Market President Brian Dale said.Commercial Bank of Texas Allen branch ribbon cuttingReal stories of community impact<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Two years later, the company had more than doubled its revenue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am forever thankful to CBTx for allowing me to continue my dream and grow this business when nobody else would even talk to me,\u201d the business owner said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny of our relationship clients would have received that same exceptional level of service,\u201d Rodgers said. \u201cI was so proud of my bank.\u201dBranch Manager Esmeralda ArambulaLooking ahead, rooted in independence<\/p>\n
Commercial Bank of Texas remains committed to staying an independent, community-focused institution. Leadership views that independence as essential not only to the bank\u2019s future, but to the health of the communities it serves.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In Allen, that philosophy continues to guide how Commercial Bank of Texas shows up today and for generations to come.<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> to learn more about Commercial Bank of Texas today. Member FDIC.<\/p>\n