amarillo chamber of commerce - HPN Books

FirstBank Southwest. FirstBank Southwestadded Covenant Title Company as its subsidiaryin 1997. Additional branches wereadded in Amarillo throughout the 1990s andin 2001 the new main Amarillo bank wasconstructed at 2401 South Georgia Street.The Gem Lake Banking Center was added inAugust 2009. The Ellis family, Larry J. Orman,Bruce E. Julian, Randy W. Brillhart, andothers have led the bank to the position ofbeing one of the largest deposit institutionsbased in the Texas Panhandle. Smith Elliscurrently serves as chairman, president, andCEO, representing the fourth generation ofthe Ellis family to serve the bank.In recent years, technologies such as onlinebanking and electronic payment services havebeen a major area of advancement. Today,the now state chartered bank is primarily acommercial lending bank. Careful decisionscoupled with conservative lending practicesfacilitate the ongoing stability of the bank.The commercial lending department offersoperating and working capital loans to professionaland retail businesses as well as for businessesin the oil and gas industry. In its questto be a leader in the growth of the Panhandle,FirstBank Southwest provides loans for commercialreal estate development. The bankcontinues to support the agricultural communityby offering various farming and ranchingloan products. The bank also offers residentialloans for development, construction, andexisting homes as well as personal loans.The wealth management services ofFirstBank Southwest include real propertymanagement, investments, and trust services.Relationships and putting the needs of theirclients first sets them apart because they takegreat care in discovering the unique needs ofeach client. Principles applied to preserving,protecting, and growing their clients’ wealthare the same steadfast principles that haveserved their customers well over the years.The bank’s commitment to excellent customerservice starts with the family atmospherewithin the bank. Employees are valued,often serving the bank many years. The beliefthat Panhandle roots run deep is evident inFirstBank Southwest’s significant reinvestmentinto the community. Their five yearpartnership with High Plains Food Bank hasbeen a collaboration between them, localbusinesses, and the Food Bank. FirstBankSouthwest has been a dedicated Panhandlepartner throughout its history and continuesto serve its community as a loyal corporatecitizen today. The small country bank thatstarted over a century ago has grown to afinancial institution with more than threequarters of a billion dollars in assets. Itscommitment to sound decisions, steadfastgrowth, and safety for its clients has notchanged. It is a valuable contributor to thecommunity, thereby honoring the dedicationof the bankers who worked hard to provide afine heritage that will continue into the futureof the Texas Panhandle.Left: The business development team,including members from the commercialand mortgage lending, business and retailbanking, and wealth managementdepartments. Back row, from left to right:Marty R. Murry, James E. Wells, David L.Ellis, Angela C. Garcia, and Lance E.Purcell. Middle row: Judy A. Whiteley andWill C. Miller. Front row: Dennis W. Falkand Kevin L. Kuehler.Right: This image captures the outsidedirectors for FirstPerryton Bancorp, Inc.,and FirstBank Southwest, along withDonald Smith Ellis, chairman of the Board,chief executive officer, and president. Seatedfrom left to right: Donald Smith Ellis,Carl W. Ellis, and Randy W. Brillhart.Standing: Johnny E. Mize, Larry J. Orman,Terry W. Caviness and Bruce E. Julian.THE MARKETPLACE241