When it comes to banking, Texas native Tracy Harris was destined to get into the industry. The Pampa-based hospital where Harris was born has since become home to several financial institutions and is currently home to FirstBank & Trust — some may call that fate.
“It seems as though it was meant to be,” Harris added.
Today, Harris works as the president and CEO at National Bank & Trust in La Grange. With more than 28 years of management experience, she is a proven bank officer with a documented track record of superior portfolio performance and administration with an emphasis on strategic planning, product development and management and staff development and training.
Getting into Banking
Born and raised in the Panhandle, Harris received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in management from the Wayland Baptist University –Fairbanks Eielson Air Force Base Campus in Alaska.
Following her graduate studies, Harris quickly set her sights on the banking industry. In 1993, she joined Mt. McKinley Bank as the assistant vice president. After 13 years she went on to serve as the assistant vice president and business relationship manager at Wells Fargo Bank Alaska, N.A.
“My aunt was a vault teller at First National Bank of Amarillo when I was growing up and she told me that if I got into banking, they’d keep me forever,” Harris said.
After nearly 15 years in Alaska, Harris made her way back home to Texas and worked for various non-financial entities such as the Weimar Independent School District, Kaspar Wire Works and Ranch Hand and Colorado-Fayette Medical Center.
She eventually rejoined the banking industry in 2012 as a home mortgage consultant at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and soon after, joined Pioneer Bank Texas as the assistant vice president and loan officer.
In 2014, she accepted the role of vice president and loan officer at National Bank & Trust and completed the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
In her current role at National Bank & Trust, she oversees the overall direction and administration of programs, products and services provided by the community bank, including new technology and digital offerings, strategic planning and much more.
When it comes to the industry, Harris enjoys the small community feel and the networking opportunities that the world of banking provides.
“Even though we all are competing for the same customers with the same products and services, there’s a lot of camaraderie between bankers,” added Harris. “I love how fellow bankers are willing to share ideas and best practices.”
Harris was recently confirmed as the chairperson of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council and is a past president of the Rotary Club of LaGrange.
About National Bank & Trust
Founded in 1888 and headquartered in La Grange, the National Bank & Trust has been instrumental in the development and expansion of the business and agricultural community since its inception.
“Our people differentiate us from others,” said Harris. “We provide customized banking products and services and bank our customers the way they want to be banked — inside the lobby, through the motor bank and digitally.”
The La Grange-based community bank is a full-service financial institution with friendly staff who take the time to listen to customers and discuss their banking needs. Whether a customer is looking for a new auto loan, home loan, checking account, business loan or the latest in electronic banking technology, National Bank & Trust is ready to serve its guests with innovative products and a staff who work diligently to understand their needs and help achieve the customer’s financial goals.
National Bank & Trust is a large supporter of Main Street, the La Grange Chamber of Commerce and the Fayette County Community Theatre. The bank’s team members often volunteer at each of the sponsored events throughout the year.
Active in the community, National Bank & Trust has since created several volunteer opportunities such as an Earth Day trash pickup around the town square that takes place every April and most recently, a pre-annual Fayette County Fair clean-up, to name a few.
In addition, the community bank launched a financial literacy partnership, Penny Pinchers, with La Grange Elementary in 2015. The program allows bank volunteers to teach kindergarten students every month about making financial choices and the importance of financial education.
At the end of each school year, the students have the opportunity to pay a visit to National Bank & Trust and experience various bank stations, cash checks and receive a bag of shredded money valued at $20, courtesy of the Federal Reserve Bank, Houston branch. The Penny Pinchers program received a Leaders in Financial Education (LiFE) Award from the Texas Bankers Foundation in 2017.
Outside of the Bank
When she’s not working at National Bank & Trust, Harris enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason and their daughter, Bailey, as well as their son-in-law, Matt and grandchild, Jonathan. Harris and her husband have been married for 31 years.
In addition to being a new “hunny,” Harris often spends her free time fishing on the coast, hunting at their family ranch and playing a round of golf.