Unity National Bank

What Unity National Bank does

Unity National Bank (legal name: Unity National Bank of Houston) is a privately held, nationally chartered community bank headquartered at 2602 Blodgett Street in Houston, Texas, with a second active branch in Missouri City, Texas following the June 10, 2025 closure of its Atlanta, Georgia branch. Founded in 1963 as Riverside National Bank, it was acquired by Bay Bancshares in 1985 and renamed, then acquired by local African-American businessmen in 1989, becoming the only African-American majority-owned bank in the State of Texas. It holds MBE certification from the City of Houston and Houston Minority Business Council, Texas HUB certification, and SBA Certified Lender status.

The bank operates a standard community banking technology stack: an online banking portal, native iOS and Android mobile applications with biometric authentication, the Notifi-powered SecureAlerts real-time notification system, SSL-encrypted Bank by Phone, and integration with the Allpoint ATM network (55,000+ surcharge-free locations globally) plus the Select ATM network (500+ local locations). Credit cards are issued through a ServisFirst Bank partnership, and CDARS deposits route through the Promontory Interfinancial Network to provide FDIC coverage up to $50 million. No public APIs, SDKs, or AI/ML capabilities are documented.

Unity monetizes primarily through net interest income from its lending book (SBA loans, commercial loans, commercial real estate, faith-based organization loans, real estate development and construction loans, vehicle loans, personal loans, and lines of credit) supplemented by transaction-based fee revenue from personal and business checking/savings accounts, Visa card interchange, merchant card processing, wire transfers, night deposits, safety deposit boxes, and notary services. Pricing mixes monthly maintenance subscriptions (e.g., $7-$12 personal checking, $5-$15 business savings) with per-transaction take rates (e.g., $0.17 per debit, $0.30 per credit). Go-to-market is sales-led through the two branches and a phone-based lending team, with customer acquisition supported by community partnerships (Houston Minority Business Council, Shell Community Financing Corp., Houston Small Business Development Corp.) and active civic engagement across Houston's Third Ward.

Name

Unity National Bank

Legal name

Unity National Bank of Houston

Website

https://unitybanktexas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Unity National Bank is a privately held, African-American majority-owned community bank in Houston, Texas (with a second branch in Missouri City) that provides SBA loans, commercial and consumer lending, deposit accounts, and digital banking to minority-owned businesses, SMBs, faith-based organizations, and individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)

SIC

National Commercial Banks (6021)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings) (FSABAAAA)

Keywords

• Community banking services
• Small business lending
• SBA guaranteed loans
• Personal banking accounts
• Minority depository institution

Headquarters

HQ city

Gausach

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income (Loans): Primary revenue stream from lending activities including SBA loans, commercial loans, commercial real estate loans, faith-based organization loans, real estate development and construction loans, vehicle loans, personal loans, and lines of credit.
2. Business Account Fees: Monthly maintenance fees, transaction fees (debit, credit, items deposited), and low balance charges for business checking and savings accounts. Fee schedules vary by account type.
3. Personal Account Fees: Activity service charges, minimum balance fees, and transaction fees for personal checking and savings accounts including money market accounts.
4. Card Services: Revenue from Visa business credit cards, purchasing cards, and personal credit cards including interchange fees and potential cash rebate programs.
5. Merchant Services: Credit card processing fees from business accounts accepting debit cards, credit cards, and electronic payments.
6. Service Fees: Fees from wire transfers, night deposit services, safety deposit boxes, cashier's checks, notary services, and check reorders.
7. CDARS Deposits: Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service for large deposits with FDIC coverage up to $50 million, generating CD-level returns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Unity National Bank is a community bank that provides deposit accounts (business and personal checking, savings, money market, CDs, IRAs), lending products (SBA, commercial, commercial real estate, real estate development and construction, faith-based organization, vehicle, and personal loans), credit cards (business and personal Visa), merchant services, and digital banking channels. Its services are delivered through two Texas branches (Houston and Missouri City), online and mobile banking, telephone banking, and an extensive ATM network. The bank primarily serves minority-owned businesses, small businesses, faith-based organizations, and individual consumers in Texas.

Product overview

Unity National Bank offers a comprehensive community banking platform providing business and personal banking services. Business offerings include multiple savings and checking account tiers (Opportunity, Small Business, Commercial Interest checking), SBA and commercial loans (including Faith-Based Organization and Real Estate Development loans), two business credit card products (Opportunity Business Credit Card and Purchase Business Credit Card/PCard), merchant services, night deposits, wire transfers, safety deposit boxes, and 24/7 Bank by Phone. Personal banking includes three checking tiers (Unity Advantage, Golden Unity, Personal Interest), savings accounts with Minor accounts, CDs and IRAs, vehicle and personal loans, a Community Platinum Visa card with cash back or Platinum benefits, and overdraft protection. The bank also provides digital banking through Online Banking and Mobile Banking apps (iOS/Android) with SecureAlerts for real-time monitoring, plus CDARS for large FDIC-insured deposits up to $50 million. All services are offered through its Houston and Missouri City, Texas locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• SBA Certified Lender status enabling streamlined SBA loan approvals
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• National Bankers Association (NBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance supporting minority banks through industry advocacy, networking, and professional development. Essential partnership for institutional strengthening and minority banking community representation.
• Texas Bankers Association (TBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level industry association providing advocacy, education, and networking for Texas banks. Supports Unity's compliance and professional development needs.
• The Independent BankersBank (TIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides correspondent banking services and support for independent community banks, enhancing Unity's operational capabilities and market reach.
• Shell Oil CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partnership through Shell Community Financing Corp., providing community development lending programs and access to additional capital for minority community investment.
• Houston Minority Business CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertifies Unity as Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Facilitates connections with corporations seeking diversity initiatives and minority business partnerships.
• Houston Small Business Development Corp.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing small business development resources, counseling, and lending support. Broadens loan approval possibilities for small business customers.
• Business Consortium FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinority business development organization providing capital access and business support services for underserved entrepreneurs.
• Waterstone (SBA Loan Service Provider)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBA Loan Service Provider supporting Unity's SBA lending programs. Contributes to Unity's Certified Lender status with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• Amegy BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional banking partnership supporting operational capabilities and potential correspondent banking services.
• Cadence BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional banking partnership enhancing service capabilities and market presence in the Gulf Coast region.
• Wells Fargo BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational banking partnership contributing to Unity's operational strength and market reach capabilities.
• ServisFirst BankmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners with ServisFirst Bank for credit card issuance. Unity National Bank Opportunity VISA Business Card and Community Platinum VISA Card offered through ServisFirst Bank Salesforce application portal.
• Promontory Interfinancial Network (CDARS)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnity is a member of the CDARS network, enabling FDIC coverage up to $50 million on large deposits by distributing funds across network banks in $250,000 increments.
• Allpoint NetworkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorATM network partnership providing access to 55,000+ surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs worldwide, enhancing customer convenience and reducing banking fees.
• Select ATM NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMembership in Select ATM network provides access to 500+ surcharge-free ATMs locally in addition to Allpoint network coverage.
• Deluxe (Shop Deluxe)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness check reorders available through Shop Deluxe (formerly DeluxeForms.com). Personal check reorders through Deluxe.com.
• City of HoustoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertifies Unity as Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), enabling partnerships with corporations and government organizations seeking diversity initiatives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tri-State Bank of Memphis: Tri-State Bank of Memphis is one of the oldest African-American owned banks in the U.S., providing community-focused retail and commercial banking. Its small-asset, mission-driven model in a major Southern metro is closely comparable to Unity's structure and customer base.
• OneUnited Bank: OneUnited Bank is the largest African-American owned bank in the United States, offering consumer and commercial banking with a mission-focused approach to underserved communities. It is the most directly comparable peer to Unity given the shared MBE positioning, community-development mandate, and retail/commercial product mix.
• Mechanics & Farmers Bank: M&F Bank is an African-American owned community bank in Durham, North Carolina offering consumer and commercial banking products. Its MDI status, focus on underserved communities, and similar product portfolio make it a strong structural peer to Unity.
• Citizens Trust Bank: Citizens Trust Bank is an African-American owned community bank headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with branches in Georgia and Alabama. It offers consumer and business banking with a focus on minority communities, making it a strong peer for Unity's community bank and MDI positioning.
• Industrial Bank: Industrial Bank is a Washington, D.C.-based African-American owned commercial bank serving consumer and small-business customers. Like Unity, it emphasizes community lending, MBE certification benefits, and personalized relationship banking in an urban market.
• Broadway Federal Bank: Broadway Federal Bank is a minority-owned community bank in Los Angeles offering consumer and commercial banking with a focus on minority and underserved communities. Its MDI status and product breadth directly parallel Unity's positioning.
• First Independence Bank: First Independence Bank is an African-American owned community bank headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. It provides commercial and consumer banking with a strong MDI community-development mandate, closely paralleling Unity's mission and operating model.
• Liberty Bank: Liberty Bank is a Connecticut-based African-American owned community bank offering personal, business, and mortgage banking. Its mission-driven focus on minority communities and small-business lending is closely aligned with Unity's value proposition.
• Carver State Bank: Carver State Bank is an African-American owned community bank in Savannah, Georgia providing consumer and commercial banking. It is a comparable minority-focused MDI serving an underserved Southern market, similar in scale and product mix to Unity.

Broad incumbents

• Frost Bank: Frost Bank is a large Texas-based community/commercial bank with broad retail and business banking across the state. It is a broad incumbent peer providing context for the regional banking competitive landscape in which Unity operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/unitybanktexas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unity-national-bank-of-texas
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitynationalbanktexas
• Xx.com/unitybanktexas

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unity National Bank