North Dallas Bank & Trust celebrates 60 years

Sixty years ago, North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. first opened its doors to customers at the corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane in Dallas with $2 million in total assets, three officers and seven employees. 

Today, NDBT is celebrating 60 years in business with $1.5 billion in total assets, more than 160 employees and five bank branches located in Dallas, Addison, Frisco, Las Colinas and Plano.

As one of the most successful and respected community bank organizations in Texas, NDBT has maintained a record of profitability every year in operation. It is one of the only banks in Dallas to have earned the prestigious 5-star superior rating from Bauer Financial for more than 30 consecutive years, affirming its reputation as one of the safest banks in America. 

“Our longstanding success is only made possible through consistent, committed ownership and is the direct result of the trust and support we receive from our customers, the clear vision of our board of directors and the expertise, commitment and dedication of our employees,” said Larry Miller, president of North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. 

In 1970, NDBT founding directors Bert Fields, Porter Lindsley Sr. and W.F. English purchased 4.85 acres to construct NDBT’s new, state-of-the-art bank building at the intersection of LBJ Freeway and Preston Road, and opened its doors to the public in March 1971. Just four short years later in 1975, NDBT built its landmark tower, which was the tallest building in Dallas outside of downtown at the time. 

Amid the tumultuous U.S. stock market of the 1980s, NDBT stayed true to its mission of responsible banking. At the end of that decade, NDBT was named one of the 100 safest banks in the country by Money Magazine, one of only two Texas banks on the list. 

The 1990s brought the interstate banking and branch banking trends to Texas, and national competitors opened locations nearby. As one of the largest locally established banks in Dallas, NDBT began seeking new opportunities for independent banking.

In 1994, NDBT opened its first branch banking center in Plano, and, after seeing the success of that location, additional bank branches opened in Las Colinas, Frisco and Addison throughout the late 90s and early 2000s.

In 2021, NDBT chief executive officer, W. Michael Shipman, announced his retirement after serving the organization for more than 25 years. Current NDBT president Larry A. Miller was named his successor, effective April 1.

“It is fitting that during NDBT’s 60th year in business, we appoint a new leader who has long-term vision, strong management style and a customer-based approach to banking,” said Shipman. “Larry’s character, ability to innovate and proven decision-making skills will serve our bank well as NDBT begins a new decade. We are confident that under Larry’s direction and influence, NDBT will continue to raise the expectations of what a bank can be.”