The Bank of Houston

What The Bank of Houston does

The Bank of Houston is a community bank founded in 1889 and headquartered in Houston, Missouri, serving retail and small business customers in Texas County, MO and, more recently, the St. Louis Metropolitan area through a branch in Wildwood, MO. The bank operates a standard community banking product set across three lines: personal deposit accounts (Community Classic Checking, Super NOW Checking, savings, money market, Concierge Money Market, certificates of deposit, and IRAs), business deposit accounts (Community Classic Small Business and Community First Non-profit), and lending products (commercial real estate, business expansion and equipment financing, working capital lines of credit, construction loans, agriculture loans, and SBA 7(a) and 504 loans). Underlying technology is third-party-supplied community bank infrastructure: an online banking platform with bill pay and electronic statements, mobile banking apps for iOS and Android (powered by Data Center Inc./telepc per the website footer), encryption, multi-factor authentication, mobile deposit, and secure in-app email.

The bank's go-to-market is relationship-led and locally underwritten: loan decisions are made by in-market commercial lenders rather than a centralized credit function, and SBA lending is conducted under Preferred Lender Program (PLP) status that supports national origination. Distribution combines physical branches with online and mobile channels, plus direct contact via departmental email (SBA, online banking support). Pricing across deposit products is balance-tiered, with monthly service charges waivable at specified average daily balance thresholds ($500 for personal checking, $1,000 for small business, $10,000 for Concierge Money Market), while loan pricing is spread- and take-rate based on credit, term, and SBA guidelines.

On April 1, 2026, South Plains Financial (NASDAQ: SPFI) completed its acquisition of The Bank of Houston, adding approximately $632 million in loans and $596 million in deposits to SPFI's balance sheet; SPFI projected the deal to be 11% accretive to 2027 earnings and reported total deposits of $4.03 billion as of Q1 2026 with a 4.04% net interest margin. Post-acquisition, the bank continues to operate under its existing brand as a subsidiary of SPFI, and has filed a five-year CRA Strategic Plan with the FDIC (public comment window through July 31, 2026) tied to its expanded St. Louis footprint.

Name

The Bank of Houston

Legal name

The Bank of Houston

Website

https://thebankofhouston.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Bank of Houston is a 135-year-old community bank founded in 1889, serving personal and business customers in Texas County, MO and the St. Louis Metropolitan area through deposit accounts, commercial lending, and SBA Preferred Lender services, now operating as a subsidiary of South Plains Financial (SPFI).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Banking

NAICS

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

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business Banking (Microbusiness/Sole Proprietor) (FSABAAAI), Branch & In-Person Banking (Teller/ATM Networks) (FSABAAAE), SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC), SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

Keywords

• Community banking
• Retail banking
• SBA lending
• Commercial lending
• Small business financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Deposit Account Fees: Fee income from monthly service charges on checking, savings, and money market accounts based on average daily balance thresholds. Additional revenue from overdraft fees, wire transfer fees, and other banking service charges.
2. Commercial Lending: Interest income from commercial real estate loans, business expansion and equipment financing, working capital lines of credit, construction loans, and agriculture loans. Revenue generated through interest rate spreads on originated loans.
3. SBA Lending: Revenue from SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans including fees for loan origination, servicing, and guarantee fees. SBA Preferred Lender status enables streamlined processing and national lending capabilities.
4. Consumer Lending: Interest income from consumer loans including personal lending and other retail banking products. Revenue from interest rate spreads on consumer credit products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Bank of Houston is a community bank that provides personal deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CDs, IRAs) and business banking products alongside commercial and SBA lending services. It serves individual consumers, small-to-medium businesses, and nonprofit organizations through physical branches in Houston and Wildwood, MO, complemented by online and mobile banking channels. The bank operates as an SBA Preferred Lender, offering SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loan products with national reach for small business borrowers.

Product overview

The Bank of Houston is a community bank founded in 1889 offering a comprehensive suite of banking products and services. The bank operates a platform-plus-service model with core personal and business banking products (checking, savings, money market accounts, CDs, IRAs), complemented by commercial and SBA lending divisions. Personal banking includes Community Classic Checking, Super NOW Checking, Savings, Money Market, Concierge Money Market, and Certificates of Deposit with mobile banking app access. Business banking encompasses Community Classic Small Business and Community First Non-profit accounts. The SBA Lending division, designated as a Preferred Lender Program (PLP) provider, offers SBA 7(a) and 504 loan products with a dedicated team. Commercial lending includes real estate loans, equipment financing, working capital lines, construction loans, and agriculture loans. The bank recently expanded with a new Wildwood MO branch serving the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Classic Checking Non-interest bearing personal checking account with online banking, bill pay, free Mastercard debit card, electronic statements, and mobile deposit functionality. $100 minimum opening balance; $6.00 monthly service charge waivable by maintaining $500 average daily balance, monthly direct deposit, or electronic statements.
• Super NOW Checking Interest-bearing personal checking account with tiered minimum balance requirements and corresponding monthly service charge waivers. $2,500 minimum opening balance; monthly service charge ranges from $5.00 to $0 based on average daily balance tiers.
• Savings Account Secure, interest-earning personal deposit account suitable for emergency funds and short-term savings goals. $250 minimum opening balance; $5.00 monthly service charge if balance falls below $250.
• Money Market Account Personal savings account with tiered interest rates based on average daily balance. Limited to 6 debit transactions per statement cycle with $10 charge for additional transactions. $2,500 minimum opening balance; tiered monthly charges from $5.00 to $0 based on balance.
• Concierge Money Market Premium interest-bearing money market account with enhanced service features. $10,000 minimum opening balance; $12.00 monthly charge if balance under $10,000; $0 monthly service charge for balances of $10,000 or greater.
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs) FDIC-insured Certificates of Deposit with fixed competitive interest rates and fixed terms starting from 3 months. $1,000 minimum opening balance; early termination penalties may apply.
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Personal retirement savings plan with tax advantages where funds are invested in the bank's Certificates of Deposit for long-term wealth building.
• Mobile Banking App Mobile banking application available for iOS and Android devices enabling customers to manage accounts, deposit checks via mobile deposit, and access banking services from smartphones.
• Community Classic Small Business Checking Non-interest bearing business checking account for small businesses. $500 minimum opening balance; $6.00 monthly service charge waivable with $1,000 average daily balance, one ACH credit per month, or electronic statements.
• Community First Non-profit Checking Non-profit specific business checking account designed for nonprofit organizations. $100 minimum opening balance; $6.00 monthly service charge with similar waiver conditions to other business accounts.
• Commercial Real Estate Loans Financing for commercial property acquisition, owner-occupied properties, and investor properties with local decision-making by experienced commercial lenders.
• Business Expansion and Equipment Financing Capital financing solutions for business growth initiatives and equipment purchases with flexible terms and local decision-making.
• Working Capital and Lines of Credit Flexible financing options for managing day-to-day business cash flow needs with revolving or term structures determined per borrower.
• Construction Loans Financing for commercial construction projects with flexible terms and local decision-making authority.
• Agriculture Loans Specialized lending solutions for agricultural businesses and farming operations tailored to local farm and ranch needs.
• SBA 7(a) Loans Flexible SBA financing for business acquisitions, expansions, working capital, equipment, real estate, and franchise or non-franchise start-ups, processed under the bank's SBA Preferred Lender Program designation for streamlined approvals.
• SBA 504 Loans Long-term, fixed-rate financing through the SBA 504 program for owner-occupied commercial real estate and major equipment purchases, processed under the bank's SBA Preferred Lender Program designation for streamlined approvals.

Quantifiable outcome

• SBA Preferred Lender status enables streamlined approvals and faster loan decisions for small business borrowers

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)coreOthers
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreOthers
• Economic Development Council of St. Charles CountyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Live Oak Bancshares: Specialized SBA-focused bank with national lending reach — directly comparable in SBA 7(a) lending orientation and national SBA strategy, but operating as a digital-first specialist rather than a community bank.

Direct peers

• Hawthorn Bancshares: Missouri-based community bank holding company (Hawthorn Bank) with similar asset size, branch-based distribution, and emphasis on commercial/SBA lending and small-business relationships — directly comparable in geography, scale, and product mix.
• QCR Holdings: Multi-state community bank holding company with commercial lending focus across the Midwest; comparable in scale, SBA lending orientation, and branch-and-digital distribution model.
• Independent Bank Group: Texas-based community bank with comparable asset size and growth trajectory; comparable in commercial real estate lending, SBA focus, and branch-light community banking model.
• Equity Bancshares: Kansas-based community bank with similar asset size and a focus on commercial/SBA lending to small businesses across the Midwest; comparable in business model, customer segment, and growth-via-acquisition strategy.
• First Mid Bancshares: Illinois-based community bank holding company offering commercial, consumer, and SBA lending across the Midwest — comparable in product mix, customer base (small/mid-market businesses), and regional Midwestern footprint.
• Great Southern Bancorp: Springfield, MO-based community bank holding company with comparable consumer/commercial banking franchise across Missouri; closely comparable in regional footprint and small-business lending orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Commerce Bancshares: Larger Missouri-headquartered bank holding company with extensive commercial and consumer banking operations; serves as a regional incumbent competing for the same Missouri small-business and consumer segments.
• Heartland Financial USA (HTLF): Multi-state community bank holding company with comparable commercial and SBA lending franchises; relevant broader incumbent operating with a similar community-bank model in overlapping geographies.
• South Plains Financial (SPFI): Parent company of The Bank of Houston since April 2026; a Texas-based bank holding company with ~$4.03B in deposits and a comparable community/commercial banking model focused on relationship lending. Directly comparable as the acquirer and ongoing operator of the Houston franchise.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 The Bank of Houston