On January 13, Bowie-based Legend Bank announced its new Tarrant County lending team comprised of four commercial lenders and four loan operations and support personnel. They will serve North Richland Hills and surrounding areas. The new team includes Mike Monroe, Lee Herron, Mark Piland and Ryan Sanford, with support from operational staff members Kerri Berkley, Dale Williams, Consuelo Cerna and Amber Sanchez.
The new team is led by Mike Monroe, senior vice president/Tarrant County commercial lending branch president. He has been in commercial lending leadership roles for more than 19 years and previously served as a regional president at Legend Bank for seven years. He returns to Legend Bank having served as metro region division president for Amarillo-based Happy State Bank. Monroe graduated from West Texas A&M University. He also graduated with distinction from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. “I am fortunate to return to Legend Bank to lead the Tarrant County lending team,” Monroe says. “I value Legend Bank’s long-term history and stability.”
Lee Herron, senior vice president/commercial lender, joins Legend Bank with a longtime career in banking and real estate lending. His expansive experience includes serving commercial clients and home builders in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex for more than 32 years. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado and was honored with the Willis Bryant Award as an outstanding student when he graduated from the School of Mortgage Banking. Herron previously served as a director of the Builders Association of Fort Worth and Tarrant County and as president of the Fort Worth Mortgage Bankers Association. He is an active volunteer for Mid-Cites Supporters of SafeHaven.
Mark Piland, vice president/commercial lender, joins the Legend Bank team with nine years of experience in the commercial lending industry. He holds a BBA degree in finance and management from Northwood University.
Ryan Sanford, vice president/commercial lender, joins Legend Bank with six years of experience in commercial lending. He is a graduate of Baylor University with a degree in finance and entrepreneurship and is currently in his second year of the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. He began his career in banking as a credit analyst prior to moving into a commercial lender role.
“We are pleased to expand our commercial lending capability in Tarrant County by adding this knowledgeable group of lenders and staff to the Legend Bank team,” says Mike Rigby, executive vice president/south regional president. “Mike Monroe is a proven leader in commercial lending and is a strong addition to our team as the president of this new group within our bank. With more than 60 years of combined experience in commercial lending, each lender provides valuable experience and first-hand knowledge to help customers meet their business needs.”
Established in 1890, Legend Bank NA has 13 locations throughout North Texas with total assets of more than $952 million.
