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History & Vision

History

In order to meet the banking needs of the residents and businesses located in the North Fort Worth area, in February 1972 the organizers of The National Bank of Texas applied for a national bank charter. In September of that year the charter was granted. The National Bank of Texas opened for business in November of 1973 in its current location at the corner of IH-35W and Northeast 28th Street on Fort Worth's North Side.

The primary organizer of the bank was Leonard H. Brantley, Sr. who was a local CPA.  Mr. Brantley served the bank from its inception, and was Chairman of the Board of the bank’s holding company, Horizon Bankshares, Inc., until his retirement in the fall of 2009, shortly before he passed away.  From 1974 until 1997, Bill D. Wilson served as President of the bank.  Mr. Wilson served as the Chairman of the Board of Horizon Bankshares, Inc, until his retirement in 2019, extending the continuity of successful senior management as well as the vision of the original founders of the bank.

In June 1997, George M. Bradford was hired as President/CEO of the Bank.  In March 2011, Mr. Wilson resigned as Chairman of the Board of The National Bank of Texas at Fort Worth and Mr. Bradford was elected to that position.  Mr. Bradford served in the capacity of President/CEO until March 2011.  In March 2011, Mr. Wade Donnell was elected as President/CEO of the Bank.

Mr. Wilson retired as Chairman of the holding company, Horizon Bankshares in March 2019 and Mr. Bradford was elected to that position.  In March 2019, Mr. Bradford resigned as Chairman of the Board of The National Bank of Texas at Fort Worth and Mr. Steve Parker was elected to that position.

Mr. Bradford retired from the board on April 30, 2021 and Steve Parker was elected as Chairman of Horizon Bankshares, Inc.  Mr. Parker resigned his position as Chairman of Board of the National Bank of Texas at Fort Worth and Mr. Steve Eargle was elected to that position.

Ownership of the bank has remained essentially unchanged since Horizon Bankshares, Inc. was organized by the bank's directors and senior officers in 1985.  The directors of the bank are all area residents which allow them to better understand the needs of the areas and the customers we serve.

The bank still serves the North Side area of Fort Worth from its original location, but has added locations in Hurst, Burleson and Azle to meet those communities’ needs for "hometown" banking from "hometown" bankers.  The bank is staffed with experienced local bankers that know their customers and serve their communities through various civic, educational and business organizations.

As part of The National Bank of Texas' 50th Anniversary celebration, the bank rebranded to NBT Financial.  Nothing changed, just the name.  Customers can still expect the following from NBT Financial:

  • Same bank that has served our local communities for 50 years; just a new name!
  • Same Ownership; just a new name!
  • Same Management Team; just a new name!
  • Same Smiling Branch Employees; just a new name!
  • Same Customer Service; just a new name!
  • Same FDIC Insurance; just a new name!


Vision

Since its inception in 1973, the shareholders and management of NBT Financial have maintained the same long term vision for the bank. We are a locally owned, independent, community bank that intends on providing prompt, courteous service to our customers, and looks to establish long term relationships with those we serve.

We not only strive to meet the banking needs of those we serve, but through our staffs involvement with city governments, schools, non-profit organizations and service organizations, we also work to improve the communities we serve.


Community

NBT Financial has made a commitment to not only provide quality banking products and services to the communities we serve, but to also assist these communities in becoming the best places to live and work.

Our management and staff involvement with local school districts, chamber of commerce, service organizations, and non-profit organizations help to enhance the quality of life in the communities in which we serve.