On April 30, Ernst & Young LLP announced that John D. Steinmetz, president and CEO of Dallas-based Vista Bank was named a 2024 “Southwest Entrepreneur of the Year Award” finalist. Now in its 38th year, “‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ is the award for audacious leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize sectors and have a transformational impact on lives,” according to a company press release. “Over the past four decades, the program has recognized the daring entrepreneurs with big ideas and bold actions that reshape our world.”
Steinmetz is one of 47 regional entrepreneurs selected as finalists by an independent panel of judges. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. Steinmetz has been credited for leading the bank’s strong growth trajectory, exceeding 700 percent in the past decade. It took the bank 108 years to reach $1 billion in assets, but it only took Vista Bank three years to eclipse the $2 billion mark.
“There is not a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my family, committed teammates and our loyal clients,” Steinmetz says. “That said, I’m always inspired by our clients, most of whom are entrepreneurs themselves, and put their life savings and personal capital on the line daily to create the products, services and jobs that stimulate our economy. And, while our growth trajectory is impressive, what I am most proud of is our work in underserved markets to disrupt traditional CRA models and impact generational change. ‘Entrepreneurs Banking Entrepreneurs’ isn’t just a tagline—it’s a commitment to help all entrepreneurs, irrespective of zip code, achieve their dreams and create generational wealth through the power of small business.”
“Entrepreneur of the Year” honors many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to fortify it for the future.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 15. The winners will then be considered by national judges for the “Entrepreneur of the Year” national awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum.
Established in 1912, Vista Bank serves markets across North, Central and West Texas, as well as Palm Beach, Florida, wtih 17 locations.
