About Us

Our Mission

We help our community grow.

Founding Principles

Commitment to Honesty, Integrity and Quality Service.

History

Rio Bank opened its doors for business in February of 1985. It began as a retail oriented bank primarily catering to consumers for both deposit and loan business. In 1995, the bank opened its second banking center in North McAllen. The original ownership and management has changed since that time as well as the focus and direction of the bank. In late April of 1999, the bank had a change in management.

Ford Sasser, President and CEO, came to the bank in late April of 1999. Mr. Sasser made significant changes in lending personnel while at the same time outlined a new vision and direction for the bank. Rio Bank has become a more commercial oriented bank. New products and services continue to be introduced.

• In 2002, the bank opened two new banking centers. The first was in San Juan and the second in Palmview. Because of the change in strategy that began in 1999, coupled with the additional offices, the bank has seen significant growth in its total assets.
• In 2005, the bank opened a new banking center in Brownsville and in 2009 opened a new banking center in Weslaco.
• In 2018, Rio Bank acquired Elsa State Bank & Trust, which allowed Rio Bank to further develop its footprint in the Rio Grande Valley with a total of 15 bank locations from Starr, Hidalgo and Cameron counties, extending from Roma to Brownsville.
• In 2023, Rio Bank's 16th banking center opened in Alamo Heights - One of San Antonio's most vibrant and growing neighborhoods. This marked the opening of Rio Bank's first full service banking center outside of the Rio Grande Valley. 

Rio Bank is located in communities along the Mexican border in deep South Texas and has expanded into Central Texas in San Antonio. Many of the bank's customers are from Mexico. The McAllen, Mission, Edinburg Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is one of the fastest growing MSA in the United States, and the Brownsville economy is also fast growing.

Rio Bank thanks you for the opportunity to tell our story. We are excited about what is going on at our bank and welcome the opportunity for you to become part of our growing family.