Branch Spotlight: PlainsCapital’s Kirby Branch Plays Important Role in Houston Community

Not all bank branches are formed the same way. The Kirby branch at 2929 Kirby Drive in Houston took its own unique path to become PlainsCapital Bank’s flagship branch in the market.

“It’s more than just a branch,” says PlainsCapital’s Houston Region Chairman Danny Schroder. “It’s our stand-alone building that was the original headquarters of The Bank of River Oaks which was acquired by PlainsCapital. Physically, it’s a very attractive building, and it seems like the heart and soul of the Houston region is in that location.”

Heart of Houston Market

If the heart and soul is in that building, Kirby Branch President Mark Troth is the heartbeat that keeps it going. With 45 years of banking experience, Troth joined The Bank of River Oaks team in 2006 and remained on board when it merged with PlainsCapital in 2018.

“When we decided to sell The Bank of River Oaks, there were eight to 10 banks that wanted to buy us,” Troth says. “It didn’t happen until PlainsCapital Bank. There was a reason we chose them, and they chose us. We chose them because we liked the model and the culture. PlainsCapital Bank is really like a $12 billion community bank. It had the same community bank feeling that we had with Bank of River Oaks.”

Expanding its Footprint

In 2018, the Kirby branch officially became part of PlainsCapital, allowing it to expand its footprint in Houston. Today, the branch holds its branch staff and its lending team of roughly 11 employees.

“It’s a good team because all the customers belong to us,” Troth says. “We know them all. I’m called branch president, but I don’t get in the way of the branch manager. I may make suggestions, but I want them to do their job. I’m there to support them, but the retail staff does a great job servicing our customers.”

Helping Houston

Outside of day-to-day banking duties, the branch stays very active in the Houston community with several not-for-profit organizations, including Healthcare for the Homeless, Southwest Schools, Hannah’s Hope Fund, and The Periwinkle Foundation, just to name a few.

“It’s important to separate us from the masses,” Troth says. “It’s one thing to be a lender and offer your services. It’s another thing to make sure you’re involved in the community. You choose your sweet spots, and you make a difference. Anybody can loan money, but will you also give your time? And it’s not just our commercial bankers. Our retail staff are also involved in the charitable events. We get involved with our time and service, as well as our money.”

Now, with more three years under its belt as a PlainsCapital branch, Troth says the Kirby location continues to make an impact on its customers and the Houston community.

“PlainsCapital embraced us and our culture, but also expected us to buy into theirs,” Troth says. “And I think we’ve done it. PlainsCapital has great people in Houston and a new region chairman in Danny Schroder. We bought in 100 percent, and we’re just trying to take care of our clients.”

If you’re in Houston, visit Troth and his team at the PlainsCapital branch at 2929 Kirby Drive.