Vista Bank, a 112-year-old privately-owned institution, announced a new banking center coming to the intersection of MLK Blvd. and J.B Jackson in Fair Bank, affirming its continued commitment to South Dallas.

The bank has more than a century of history in its West Texas roots and expanded its footprint into Dallas in 2017 with a loan production office. Vista later opened a full-service location in Preston Center, where the headquarters were relocated in early 2020.

“I’m beyond thrilled that Vista Bank has announced the opening of a branch in South Dallas,” Dallas City Councilman Adam Bazaldua said in a statement. “The commitment to our community and investment in resources is going to touch District 7 in ways unseen before. It’s no secret that for decades our side of I-30 has been intentionally overlooked and deprived of equitable access to capital financing and resources. Vista Bank’s presence is not only symbolic of what we hope is to come, but their partnership with the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce adds another element of trust and confidence to their presence.”

Collaborators on the project include the Vista Bank Board of Directors and Executive Leadership, the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Southern Dallas Progress, the SDFP Innovation Center, and the Collins Company. [Photo: Vista Bank]

Bazaldua said that Vista’s plan to remodel and occupy the old Social Security building was “a fantastic way to show what dedication to our community looks like.”

He also applauded the access to capital for local businesses and residents, which would “drastically raise the quality of life for so many.”

“Vista Bank’s partnership is a trailblazing step for banking in South Dallas, and I’m confident that the outcome will allow other banks to see what our community has known for so long—there is no difference between North and South Dallas, only what is accessible and equitable,” Bazaldua added.

Neighborhood outreach and education

The Vista Bank Financial Literacy Center will feature financial experts and host trainings for area youth, young adults, and adults from across the South Dallas community. [Rendering: Vista Bank]

The bank said its board and leadership saw the need to serve the South Dallas community early on, committing time and resources to a task force aimed at innovation and engagement. Dallas Carter High School graduate and Oak Cliff resident Lubbock Smith III volunteered on the task force committee and was hired as vice president, director of Community Development and Vista Outreach.

The company said Smith and Vista President & CEO John D. Steinmetz share a vision to engage South Dallas community leaders, invest in area schools and student athletes, and provide financial literacy training as well as bank products and services to the under-championed region.

Vista became title sponsor for Camp Exposure, a supporting role that lasted three years and it provided funding and manpower to help the young organization empower area high school athletes to garner D1 attention, while elevating their skills both on and off the field.

The bank then sponsored a 75-foot digital board at Carter High School acting as a real-time scrapbook of the school’s rich heritage and current achievements, with financial literacy tips interspersed throughout to train curious students.

Vista went on to partner with DISD, the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Southern Dallas Progress, The DEC, and more than 40 other organizations to impact over 21,000 individuals while working towards real solutions for the community. the company said.

Once inside the 11,000 square foot recently remodeled office space, guests will be greeted with bright open spaces intentionally designed to foster learning, networking, and the success of entrepreneurship in the region. [Vista Bank]

Good fit for the community

Vista said the Fair Park location will be the first of its kind in almost three decades.

The bank said that once renovation efforts of the old Social Security building at 3225 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. are completed, the new location will serve not only as Vista’s largest and latest banking center, but will also provide office space to house the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce where Smith serves on the board of directors, as well as Southern Dallas Progress and the SDFP Innovation Center.

The completed office space will be anchored by a Financial Literacy Center offering year-round trainings to students, young adults, families, and small businesses.

“I’ve always had a passion to teach people to fish, providing a hand up, not a handout,” Steinmetz said in a statement. “Having grown up the son of a father who served in the military and TGI Friday’s server, the Boys and Girls Clubs across the country provided some basic life lessons for me, including financial principles rarely taught even today. We will continue working with community partners to find the right balance of financial literacy education and access to funding for qualified loans; providing the training needed for entrepreneurs to learn how to fish as well as a ‘quality pond’ for them to fish from.”

Smith said the bank is a good fit for himself and the community.

“Growing up an Oak Cliff native, now South Dallas resident, I’ve chosen to work and raise my family here because I wanted to help others elevate in my local community,” Smith said in a statement. “When I first met John and saw his passion to do the same, I knew his vision complemented my own which was no coincidence. Small business is the best hope to see generational wealth created in South Dallas, and I am humbled to serve a company who is as committed to furthering that pursuit as I am.”

Vista Bank serves markets across North, Central, West Texas, and Palm Beach, Florida, through its 17 banking centers.

With a Private Client offering, more than 200 team members, more than $2 billion in assets, Vista offers innovative solutions to personal and commercial clients.

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