Branch Spotlight: PlainsCapital’s Downtown Austin Branch Takes Advantage of City’s Incredible Growth

Visit Austin today versus 20 years ago, and you might as well be in a different city. The growth and development are hard to miss, whether you live in the area or are from a completely different state. PlainsCapital’s Downtown Austin branch could say the same. After moving into the city nearly two decades ago, the branch has grown up, too.

“When I first started at PlainsCapital, we were a lot smaller,” said Brandi Phillips, Executive Lending Assistant at the Downtown Austin branch. “It was very relationship-oriented and very employee-minded. The culture mattered. We really were a family. Our kids were babies when we started here, and it’s amazing to see the growth. That’s how close we all are. We were coworkers, but friends at the same time. Now, even though we’ve grown, the core of who we were 18 years ago is still the foundation of who we are today.”

At the Core

PlainsCapital’s Austin Region Chairman Paul Holubec and Downtown Austin Branch President Jason Thurman are part of the core group who have made the branch what it is today.

“Paul and I began this Austin project 20 years ago this past April, after leaving a large national bank,” Thurman said. “From the start, and with the full support of senior management, we endeavored to build a culture and a team that valued each other as individuals and teammates. The foundation of dealing with each other on the basis of mutual respect and trust is one that I think has contributed a great deal towards the longevity of our team, and our success.”

The current location was built just five years ago and offices 42 employees, including retail staff, the lending team, and the Private Banking group. While the structure may be practically new, the longevity of the people inside is what truly makes the branch special.

“The majority of the folks have been here,” said Phillips. “And the new folks we recruit are so thankful to be in this new environment. They embrace our culture, flexibility, and the ease and comfort of how we do things. Our customers have held on to our relationship-focused mission. They’re willing to grow with us because they’d rather bank with us.”

Embracing the Growth

And as Austin evolves, the Downtown branch has embraced it.

“We’ve tried to take advantage of the growth in Austin,” Phillips said. “So many of us at the Bank are organically Texan and Austinites, so we are baffled and awed by the growth. But we see it as a great opportunity.”

Building Good Bankers and Good People

Part of that opportunity includes staying involved in the Austin community. The branch remains relationship-focused even through its charitable work.

“Our executive vice president, Wade Morgan, is on the board of Any Baby Can and Jason Thurman was a board member with Central Texas Food Bank, so we really lean into those relationships,” Phillips explained.

The team also looks for opportunities for their young credit analysts to get involved. They strive to build not only good bankers, but good people, as well.

“We feel a sense of responsibility to serve our community in various ways,” Phillips said. “Now that Covid restrictions have relaxed, we’re excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

If you’re in Downtown Austin, visit the team at the PlainsCapital branch at 201 W. 5th Street Suite 100 Austin, TX 78701.