The community bank on Texas Street in Mercedes always had it right. 

The First National Bank of Mercedes had in its motto the spirit with which it served customers.

“The Friendly Bank’’ is what First National went by and with its founding documents opened in 1920. Its signature saying has proven to be timeless, and in words and deeds, a banking company today carries on the First National spirit as it grows and prospers in the Rio Grande Valley.

Texas National Bank with six community banks, a seventh soon to come – and a mortgage division – today carries on the First National legacy that’s going on 100 years and still going strong. Texas National ties its beginnings back to 1920 and the founding charter of First National of Mercedes.

The TNB timeline starts with the 1920 charter of First National Bank of Mercedes, a name it carried until 1985 when it became Mercedes National Bank. In 2005, the bank company was acquired by MNB Ventures, with a name change to Texas National Bank in 2006.

“The bank has some rich history,’’ said Joe Quiroga, the president of Texas National Bank. “We’re the longest (serving) national bank in the Rio Grande Valley.’’

Quiroga and TNB Chairman Saul Ortega are leading a 100th year celebration in 2020 as Texas National looks back to its start – and ahead to a bright future. 

“Texas National Bank has been a major part of Mercedes since it was established in 1920,” said Mr. Ortega. “To be able to be part of this 100th year celebration is an honor and shows how far we have come. It is exciting to not only continue its existence, but also to be part of the most recent growth.” 

The 100th celebration of TNB brings back youthful memories for Ortega of when he would visit the First National of Mercedes with his father. 

“I think I am most excited that we can continue the traditions of the “Friendly” bank that I used to visit with my father. We are eager to keep the momentum going, especially in the originating city of Mercedes, Texas” he said.  We stay committed to the community through both involvement and through the products and services we offer. As a community bank, it is our priority to meet the financial needs of Mercedes and the cities we serve. The team at Texas National Bank strives to provide a friendly atmosphere and a great experience to any customer that walks through the door – just like I remember from so many years ago!” 

Texas National has a calendar full of events and stories to tell in 2020 of its 100 years of banking. It will tell the stories of some of its longtime customers who go back to the First National days and on to the present with TNB. The bank is working with area museums to retrieve and showcase historical First National documents.

Texas National hopes its customers and Valley residents who have old First National savings books and envelopes will share those with TNB as part of historical displays it will feature. For Quiroga, it all points to the staying power of First National of Mercedes from the 1920s to today’s TNB.

“For the charter to have survived the Great Depression of the 1930s and then the Great Recession of the early 2000s, it’s a testament to the folks back then and the resiliency and vision we have today,’’ Quiroga said. The original First National still stands today in downtown Mercedes. Above its entrance, the words “First National Bank’’ are etched in stone, a friendly bank whose spirit lives on in the bank Ortega and Quiroga lead today.