As online banking continues to grow in popularity, banks are following suit with a secure online presence and offering many banking options and transactions. In response to the rise of online banking, banks are decreasing their brick and mortar presence, but not every bank is following suit.
Austin Bank in the East Texas region still serves its banking customers at all 32 physical branch locations spread across 11 counties and 23 cities. Customers still can interact with one of the over 400 full-time employees and conduct their banking needs either online, in person, or both.
As East Texas' "Bank of Choice", Austin Bank is a service-oriented and customer dedicated FDIC-insured bank that started in 1909. It is headquartered in Jacksonville as a locally owned and operated bank run by the Austin family, with family members Jeff Austin Jr. as Chairman of the Board and Jeff Austin III as Vice-Chairman of the Board.
Affectionately known as the "Austin Bank Difference" banking here is built on century-old core values and founding principles of dedicated and devoted customer service. The bank has a long legacy of "honor and integrity, prudent decision making, and commitment to East Texas".
What Is Austin Bank?
Between 1944 and 2010 Austin Bank made acquisitions and mergers with six other original banks in the East Texas area and became one bank. Austin Bank is a traditional bank with a special mission: "Community bankers providing exceptional service". The workplace culture and exceptional employees have earned Austin Bank the "Best Companies to Work for in Texas" award for ten straight years from 2009 to 2018.
Image via Austin Bank website
The bank offers checking accounts, savings accounts, Certificates of Deposits (CDs), money markets, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and loans, just to name the top financial products and services. It has a physical presence as well as an online and mobile banking presence.
Capital, Asset Quality, and Earnings
The bank touts quality assets as its capital, holding $1.69 billion of assets, as of December 31, 2017, and $222.7 million of held on those assets. Also as of December 31, 2017, the bank holds $1.28 billion worth of loans and leases, and that includes $1.01 billion of real estate loans. The bank has $1.44 billion in deposits with US bank customers.
Overall, Austin Bank Texas National Association has earned a Superior Condition rating from Bankrate and a full 5 stars for the bank's safety and soundness, also examined by Bankrate, by comparing the bank's capital score, asset quality score, and earnings score with the national average.
Image via Austin Bank website
The capital score was above national average, proving the bank's financial strength and providing a cushion for losses and protection during hard times. The asset quality score fell short of the national average, which is an indicator of troubled assets. This bank proved to be above the national average in earnings, suggesting it is profitable. Overall, Austin Bank would fare soundly during an economic downturn.
Branches & Locations
Operating as a local Texas bank with online services, Austin Bank has both an online and a physical presence of 32 locations throughout Northeast and East Texas. On the Austin Bank main website, one can easily find and click on the "Convenient Locations" search button to find a map and a listing of the 32 banking locations.
When clicking on a branch location, a helpful page loads that lists all the pertinent details of the branch location, including lobby hours, drive-up hours, address, phone and fax numbers, names and pictures of branch managers, ATM information, services available at the location, and location information. It also shows a photograph of the branch building and a Google Maps pin point location for planning a visit to the branch.
Image via Austin Bank website
For more help with a question or problem, the Customer Care Center phone number is available on the main website. Overall, the branch locations website is very user-friendly and informative, but the physical locations are very specifically limited to Northeast and East Texas.
Mobile Apps & Online Banking
Austin Bank touts its employees' dedication to exceptional service and its use of the latest technology. The website is extremely user-friendly, and there is an Online Banking Log In at the top of the homepage with the option to sign in or enroll. There is even a separate Business Online Banking Log In, which is aconvenient way for business owners to access financial services with a click of a mouse or touch of a finger.
Customers can access 24/7 personal banking, business banking, investment services, or other services online, making conducting online banking convenient and accessible.
Mobile Apps & Online Banking
Austin Bank is reaching out to the unconnected bank customer to get them started with an easy to follow instructional guide, with backup customer service, in how to start an online account with banking services and products.
Image via Apple App Store
For personal online banking, individuals can manage their checking accounts, saving accounts, debit cards, and loans by making and exporting transactions, transfer funds between accounts, pay bills through bill pay, apply for lines of credit, get approved for a loan, and view eStatements and check images: all of which are secure and convenient and can be done entirely online.
For business online banking, businesses can use Austin Bank's online checking accounts, saving accounts, loans, and/or Treasury Management. The Bank offers online information on investment services that are not FDIC insured or bank guaranteed.
AustinNET
Treasury Management helps a start-up (new company), established "mom and pop" family operation, or a large corporation to achieve improved cash flow and an increase in profits. It provides the financial tools, information, and services to reach monetary company goals and help companies learn to manage cash flow.
Completely secure, AustinNET allows you to have full access to your accounts, thus giving you a competitive advantage by making it possible to do banking whenever and wherever you have an internet connection.
Image via Austin Bank website
In particular, on AustinNET you will be able to originate automated clearing house (ACH) transactions such as direct deposits, cash concentrations, controlled disbursements, and electronic tax payments. In addition to ACH transactions, you can create wire transfers, both of which are processed up to 3 pm on each business day and then rolled over to the next business day (if received after 3 pm.)
Security for AustinNET is state-of-the-art and ensures privacy through encryption and passwords. Treasury Management offers the following products through AustinNET:
Austin Mobile App
Using the Austin Mobile App is the advent of smart, convenient banking. After downloading the Austin Mobile App from the Google Play store or Apple Store, you will have access and ability to bank from the comfort of your personal smartphone or tablet. You can do a lot of the same things as online banking and even do mobile check deposit for 50 cents per deposit.
Image via Google Play Store
You can also do mobile bill pay, and, for a small transaction fee, pay other people within the US through "Popmoney." You can view account balances, transfer money between accounts, and view account activity all on a smartphone or tablet.
Austin Bank Rewards
Sharing the love of Austin Bank with family, friends, and colleagues has its perks in the form of an Austin Bank My Rewards Card. Referring those you know to Austin Bank through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or copy to clipboard and having them open a new checking account earns them 300 points and you a whopping 350 points.
You can immediately peruse 100 point Rewards on the Austin Bank Rewards website. You can even collect points for using your Austin Bank Debit Card and redeeming gifts and merchandise online. You can reward yourself for shopping at online merchants. This Reward loyalty program is simple, easy to navigate and use, and is fun and rewarding!
Conclusion
Austin Bank is a local East Texas staple bank focused on offering traditional banking services with exceptional customer service, dedication to local leadership, and a commitment to offering the best banking technology. The bank's online presence is succinct, user-friendly, and innovative and creative.
Image via Austin Bank website
The bank's 32 branch locations is convenient, service-oriented, and offer traditional banking at its best. Banking here provides the people and businesses of East Texas with viable financial products and solutions that are convenient and reliable.
With the safety and soundness of the bank rated at the maximum of 5 stars, the customers that do business here can be assured that they are trusting their finances with a stable, healthy, and growing regional bank that is embracing the online banking trend but also staying true to the traditional banking philosophy of physical banks and customer service.
As a leading regional bank, it serves as a local financial backbone to the community. With a local manager at each branch, the local community is at the heart of the services and decisions.
Featured image via Austin Bank website.
Leave a Reply