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First Community Bank Stays True To Deep Local Roots
bob dunkin, business, community, first community bank,
Bob Dunkin is enthusiastic about First Community Bank’s mission to be true to its roots. In fact‚ the CEO keeps the bank’s mission statement in his wallet‚ where he can quickly access it for anyone who’s interested in hearing about the oldest chartered bank in Cameron County‚ which is also the only locally owned bank in Harlingen.
Dunkin‚ who started as a parking lot attendant at his father’s bank in 1954‚ attributes First Community’s success to those local roots. “We’re local people who have been in banking in this community for years. We know everyone in the community. We are the community’s bank.” In fact‚ Dunkin says that 96 percent of all of the bank’s stock is owned by people who live within 15 miles of the bank.
That translates into decision-making by people who know the area well. “When people come to us with lending requests‚ we know the situation. We’re looking at the people involved‚ not just the numbers‚” he says.
Chartered in 1979‚ Dunkin says Harlingen is a great place for First Community‚ where it has three locations. “We are nicely centrally located. We’re very proud of our school system and our medical community here. We have a really good quality of growth.”
Story by Kimberly Daly
