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| Jefferson Bank |
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Overview:
Jefferson Bank is a family-owned bank serving communities in San Antonio and surrounding areas in the Texas Hill Country.
Through the years, Jefferson Bank has created an elite team of highly skilled, family oriented and civic-minded individuals who contribute to the bank's continuing success.
The bank was founded just after World War II, when a group of local businessmen recognized the need for a bank in San Antonio's fast-growing Jefferson area, which at that time had no close banking presence. This group had the funds, but lacked banking experience. These prudent businessmen hired two experienced bankers — A.J. Lewis, who had received his law degree and had worked as a bank liquidator for The Texas Department of Banking; and Tom Murrah, a former bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
An article in the Express News on Aug. 12, 1946, described the new financial institution as "one of the most modern banking houses… combining the latest in facilities and seasoned experience… staffed by progressive, young business men alert to the banking needs of this fast growing community and whose paramount desire is the complete satisfaction of every customer…"
When the original group of businessmen decided it was time to sell the bank in 1951, Lewis and his wife Grace took the risk of their life. They gathered all their resources and purchased the bank. Jefferson Bank opened with $125,000 in capital, a figure that has since grown to over $45 million.
The bank's original location was in a shopping strip below a bowling alley. Expanding into the space next door in 1955, doubled its original size. In l963, Jefferson Bank moved to a newly-built facility, which is the current site of the Fredericksburg Road Banking Center.
An immense vault door installed in the original location was to be relocated to the new building. After moving it approximately a mile down the road on a low trailer, it was brought into the building on large dowel rods. The door was rolled over the rods, moving the rod at the back to the front and continuing. The new floor had already been installed, and in an effort to prevent damage, a large truckload of bananas was smashed on the floor. The dowel rods rolled over the bananas easily, and the floor suffered not even a scratch.
With Thomas Jefferson on one side and Monticello on the other, it was fitting for the bank to adopt the nickel as its logo. In 1963, a five-foot, 225-pound cast aluminum nickel was made which can be seen today on the front of the Fredericksburg Road building.
As a family-owned bank, family members are involved in the growth and management. A. J. Lewis' son, A. J. Lewis, Jr. and three of Lewis' grandsons, who are involved with the bank, grew up learning about banking and their father's and grandfather's values, which remain constant in the bank today.
The bank, which has been led by just four CEOs, Tom Murrah, Byron LeFlore, Richard Petitt, and Danny Butler has achieved many milestones through the years. Among these:
Approving the handling of floor plan paper on household appliances in 1953, and continuing to grow by making installment loans for automobiles and other personal needs.
Initiating an employee retirement plan in 1956.
Growing assets to close to three-quarters of one billion dollars.
Developing a full service mortgage lending department.
Growth of a Wealth Management Group that provides private banking, investments, and trust and estate planning.
Establishing banking centers in San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Boerne.
The bank headquarters remain at 2900 Fredericksburg Road. Growth remains a topic for the future as our boundaries expand. As the third largest San Antonio-based bank, we appreciate our employees as much as our customers. Twenty-four employees have been with the bank for over 20 years. Senior Chairman Emeritus A.J. Lewis, Jr. had a stock answer to questions about Jefferson Bank's assets, saying its greatest assets are its employees. When the bank's assets exceeded a half-billion dollars in May 2002, he wrote a letter congratulating and thanking every employee, enclosing a $100 bill in each.
Jefferson Bank and its employees have always been involved in community activities. The bankers are volunteers, Little League coaches, church leaders, supporters of public and private schools, and provide community support with their time and talents. Among the many charities in which they have been involved are March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Cancer Center Council, Christian Senior Services, Sunshine Cottage, San Antonio Children's Shelter, Girls Inc of San Antonio, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry, Children's Bereavement Center, San Antonio Zoo, The YMCA, St. Peter- St. Joseph Children's Home, House of Neighborly Service, Mission Road Developmental Center, A.R.C. of San Antonio, and San Antonio Sports Foundation to name a few.
Jefferson Bank has been a strong part of San Antonio's banking community for over 60 years. It is independent, locally owned and ideally structured for convenient personalized service. It is Jefferson Bank's goal to continually exceed our customer's expectations. |
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| Formerly known as:
Jefferson State Bank |
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