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Martin Noto, who has earned the respect of his peers in the banking industry, will receive the prestigious Banker of the Year Award from the Tarrant County Bankers Association during its annual award luncheon on Tuesday, November 18, at Shady Oaks Country Club.<\/p>\n
Noto serves as President & Chief Lending Officer for Ciera Bank, which holds the distinction of being the only bank with two recipients actively working in the industry.<\/p>\n
Charlie Powell, CEO of Ciera Bank, and the 2011 honoree, praised Noto\u2019s impact: \u201cMartin has helped Ciera Bank remain true to our customer relationship roots while driving outstanding growth in loans and deposits since 2023. His powerful relationships have attracted customers who have trusted him throughout his 42-year career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Powell adds, \u201cMartin is a leader in our community, having chaired the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and being involved with such essential organizations as Downtown Fort Worth Inc., the Fort Worth Symphony, the Salvation Army, and the United Way. Martin has consistently demonstrated that banking is more than just dollars and cents; it\u2019s about investing in people and our communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is well-known for being approachable and authentic, and he has mentored dozens of bankers whose careers have benefited from his guidance and counsel. Among these are current bank presidents in the Fort Worth-Dallas area.<\/p>\n
Noto is a graduate of the University of North Texas, and he serves on the board of the Center for Real Estate at TCU, where he mentors students.<\/p>\n
One of his early career highlights occurred when he was among the first lenders for a new
company called Hillwood, providing funds for three buildings in the early 1990s. He has helped finance additional Hillwood projects over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore Alliance was anything as large as it is now, I could recognize and appreciate its
potential,\u201d says Noto. \u201cThe Hillwood team taught me that this would become more than a real estate project; it would become a massive job generator.\u201d<\/p>\n
His banking philosophy is simple and straightforward: \u201cRelationships drive everything. Once customers see you are authentic and you\u2019re invested in their success both personally and professionally, they trust you even more. Trust drives business success and strengthens
relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ciera Bank has developed a reputation for providing financing for small businesses, real estate, and commercial developments that are seen throughout the Fort Worth area.
When asked about his priorities, Martin Noto knows who he is. \u201cMy first priority is my faith, followed by my family, and then my work. I treat others like I want to be treated, and I\u2019ll put my integrity over whether I can profit from a financial transaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noto learned the focus of \u201cService Above Self\u201d when he was a member of the Rotary Club of
Fort Worth. He saw that an inspirational slogan means nothing until you put it into action with a strong commitment.<\/p>\n
That commitment was put to the test when Noto chaired the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce in 2020, during the start of the pandemic. Instead of focusing on the strategic plan for business growth and economic development, he helped lead the Chamber to pivot and become a resource to support its members, assisting them during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were constantly resourcing bulk purchases of masks, gloves, and COVID-19 tests. We were checking every potential resource while sharing hot links and other timely information for our members. While I didn\u2019t have the typical chairman\u2019s experience, I do feel that the Fort Worth Chamber performed admirably in serving our members and even non-members, given our close-knit community. The team worked exhausting hours to do their regular jobs while also serving in this emergency capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noto\u2019s banking career began with Bank One, which later merged with J.P. Morgan Chase. He played leadership roles with BBVA Compass Bank and Community Trust Bank. He established the Fort Worth Region in his capacity as President\/CEO of First Financial Bank before joining Inwood National Bank in 2019. He joined Ciera Bank in 2023 as President & Chief Lending
Officer.<\/p>\n
This Tuesday, November 18, Martin Noto will receive the ultimate early Christmas gift \u2013 Tarrant County Banker of the Year, a career-defining honor.<\/p>\n
Read all of our \u201cOn the Move\u201d updates<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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