Branch Spotlight: PlainsCapital’s Weatherford Branch Grows Right Alongside Mo the Buffalo

On Santa Fe Drive, as you head toward the downtown square, sits PlainsCapital Bank’s Weatherford branch. From the outside, it looks like a sweet farmhouse. But inside, the daily hustle and bustle of its staff and loyal customers combines big city energy with small-town customer service. It’s been that way since its humble beginnings in 2006.

No Building, No Problem

“In April 2006, we didn’t have our permit, yet, for our temporary building,” says Pat Hamilton, PlainsCapital Bank Weatherford branch president emeritus. “So, the team decided we could move a motorhome over here and become a mobile branch to get started. We had people coming in, unbelievably, from the time we opened. The folks at the bank opened accounts sitting at card tables with folding chairs—wind blowing, rocks on top of paperwork to keep it from blowing away. People in the area didn’t know PlainsCapital Bank at the time, but they knew us and trusted us from our previous banking experience in the community.”

That loyalty continues today. The branch owns the top spot in the market as the largest bank in Weatherford and has a steady flow of traffic each day, both in the branch and in its drive thru. As Hamilton passes the baton to John Hinton, the new Weatherford branch president, community continues to come first.

Community First

“We see people at the grocery store and at restaurants,” Hinton says. “Our customers go to church with us. So, we’re always in close contact with our customers.”

The branch takes pride in its community involvement, which includes the Parker County Stock Show, Weatherford Independent School District, and many other local organizations.

“We buy every year at the Parker County Stock Show,” Hinton says. “Last year, we partnered with one of our customers to purchase one of our other customers lambs. That just goes to show you the relationships that we have and what we can do to be part of this community.”

Growing with Mo

And as the branch continues to grow, so does Mo the Buffalo, the bank’s live mascot who lives right down the street.

“Years ago, we knew one of our customers had several buffalo, we just didn’t know if the Bank would have any interest in actually having a live mascot to represent PlainsCapital,” Hamilton says. “It’s turns out they did. That customer (Bree Worthington) continues to bring Mo to all the bank special events. We’ve really watched him grow up.”

Hamilton says, while banking has always been top priority, the people are what make the Bank special.

“I enjoy coming to the Bank every day, because I get to work with people I like,” he says. “As my career comes to a close, that’s what I’m going to miss the most—the people that I get to work with every day.”