FirstBank Southwest was originally charted as First National Bank of Ochiltree in 1907.
In 1919 the North Texas and Santa Fe Railway announced a line expansion from Shattuck, Oklahoma to Spearman, Texas. The towns of Ochiltree, Texas and Gray, Oklahoma moved to take advantage of the railroad and formed the town of Perryton, Texas. The bank changed its name to First National Bank of Perryton, Texas soon after. Carl Ellis bought controlling interest in the bank in 1934 and a family member of the Ellis family has been involved in its leadership ever since.
In the 1980's and 1990's the bank grew rapidly by acquiring banks in Booker, Hereford and Pampa, Texas. First National Bank of Perryton officially moved into Amarillo with its purchase of the Texas Commerce Bank's location. In 1995, the bank consolidated its operations and changed the name of the bank to FirstBank Southwest, National Association. Then, in 2005, the bank changed its charter from a National Bank to a State Chartered Bank, making the name simply FirstBank Southwest.
FirstBank Southwest continues to grow. The bank's most recent growth includes the acquisition of Western National Bank in Amarillo in January of 2006 and the opening of our Gem Lake Banking Center in August of 2009.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of FirstBank Southwest to be the preferred community bank in the greater Texas Panhandle by providing focused financial services for commercial customers and retail customers. We will develop customer relationships through excellent service, give competitive returns to our stockholders, serve our communities as good corporate citizens, and provide advancement opportunities for our employees.