Allegiance Bank Texas was founded by Steve Retzloff and George Martinez in 2007. Although the landscape of the banking industry was exhibiting warning signs and the economy in most of the US had begun to soften, Texas remained in good shape, local bank competition was heating up. Banks were adding branches at a faster pace than ever in a "build it and they will come" strategy. Larger banks were moving into sophisticated investments designed to supplement slower earnings growth while distributing risk.

Opening a new bank with the darkening horizon in late 2007 must ha ve made the founders look like contrarians. However, Mr. Retzloff concluded that anytime was the right time for embarking on a business plan based on a focused strategy and implemented by empowered employees. Mr. Martinez held to the philosophy that success is rooted in the right corporate culture. Combining the two concepts, it became apparent that there was an allegiance to common principles.

Allegiance Bank Texas is aligned to a relationship banking marketing opportunity for the full service, small to medium sized business niche. Every aspect of planning and execution has been directed at serving this ever-present customer base. Allegiance Bank Texas hires only service oriented staff and is working on a culture that promotes the vision that the customer is at the center and that each customer is unique. Allegiance Bank Texas knows that in order to fully implement these concepts, it must begin with upper management. So, it is with collective enthusiasm to all of these principles that We Pledge Our Allegiance.