Leading the team is banking industry veteran and long time Denton resident Paul Chandler as president. A Denton banking executive for 32 years, Chandler most recently was president at Compass Bank (formerly TexasBank). Previously, he was SVP, Commercial Lending, at First State Bank/Wells Fargo (1985-2003) and held senior positions at First State Bank of Texas (1966-76).
Joining Chandler at Meridian Bank Texas in Denton are:
		Rich Reynolds, vice president and a long time Denton resident. Reynolds has 10 years of banking experience and most recently served as vice president, corporate relationship manager, at Compass Bank. He previously held a range of positions at Wells Fargo Bank Texas N.A. (formerly First State Bank of Texas) beginning in 1998 as a commercial lending intern and rising to vice president, senior relationship manager, from 2004-2006.
		Debby Grigsby, vice president, Denton market/retail manager, with 25 years of relationship banking experience. Also a long time Denton resident, Grigsby’s experience ranges from personal banker to her most recent position as vice president, banking center manager/travel club coordinator at Compass Bank (formerly TexasBank), where she also was responsible for the onsite bank at the active adult community Robson Ranch.
		Julie Willis, assistant vice president, business development, and specialist in relationship banking. Willis has served as assistant vice president, business development officer/preferred client officer with Compass Bank (formerly TexasBank).

“ The addition of our new Denton branch further solidifies our presence in North Texas and demonstrates our commitment to community banking with strong customer relationships,” said Glenn Monroe, president, Meridian Bank Texas. A location for the Denton branch is being selected and will be announced at a future date.

In Fall 2008, Meridian Bank Texas headquarters will be relocating to a spacious new location in downtown Fort Worth.

Meridian Bank Texas is part of Marquette Financial Companies, a $2.6 billion privately held financial services company owned by the Carl Pohlad family in Minneapolis. The Pohlad family has been involved in Denton and Tarrant Counties dating back to the 1980’s, with its ownership of First State Bank of Texas. Local sister companies include Marquette Commercial Finance, Inc., Marquette Business Credit, Inc., Marquette Consumer Finance, LLC, and NorthMarq Capital, Inc. The strength of these relationships gives Meridian Bank Texas the lending capability and capital resources to offer highly personalized banking and relationship-based services geared toward entrepreneurs. Marquette Financial has a nationwide presence with commercial banking, consumer, commercial finance, residential construction lending and commercial real estate financing. Pohlad family holdings also include significant interests in the beverage, entertainment and real estate industries, as well as the ownership of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team.

# # #