We know life can be full of ups and downs. When people in our communities need a helping hand, we do our best to lift them up, get them through the hard times, and help them live their best lives.
Through our partnership with Center of Hope, we help lift fellow Texans out of generational poverty. Through our annual Pink Luncheon, we lift the hopes of breast cancer patients by raising funds for Careity, an organization that provides funds for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Through our support of West Texas Rehab, we lift people with physical challenges by helping provide them with first-class therapy options.
In 2022, First Texas Bank’s Community Partners program contributed over $1.1 million to organizations that offer life-changing services that focus on education, health, crisis services, faith-based efforts and more. For these efforts, we were honored by the Independent Bankers Association of Texas with a Best of Community Banking Award for Community Service.
We’re grateful for the award. It’s always nice to be recognized for good deeds. But our outreach isn’t part of some marketing plan to polish our image. As a business, we’re passionately committed to doing what individual Texans do every day – lend a hand when needed.
“First Bank Texas’ Community Partners Program is more than just a charitable mission - it is a way of life for the bank's leadership and employees,” the Independent Bankers group said in announcing the award. “Zan Prince, chairman of the Board at First Bank Texas, instills the values of generosity and servitude not only in her actions, but also empowers her employees to do the same.”
Zan says she was raised from childhood to give back, pitch in and help out. As for her current role, she likes to say that she’s in the business of investing in the community as well as operating a successful bank.
The First Texas Bank team has received that message loud and clear-- employees organize fundraisers, donate $5 for Jeans Fridays, serve on school boards, and volunteer for community groups ranging from Meals on Wheels to Central Texas Search and Rescue.
As for the money donated by First Bank of Texas, it went to over 50 different organizations in 2022. That’s an impressive number. But it’s also just a start. When the $1.1 million total was announced at a companywide meeting, Zan was more interested in where the Community Partners program is headed than where it’s been.
“Who are we missing?” she asked. Someday, the answer might be, “No one.” But until then, all of us at First Bank Texas will keep looking for ways to help our friends and neighbors.
