In August, Dallas-based Vista Bank received the Federal Reserve System’s highest rating of “Outstanding” during a recent Community Reinvestment Act examination. Each year, only 13 percent of banks in the U.S. get the highest rating from the Federal Reserve. During a fiscal year that saw considerable challenges for the entire banking sector, the “Outstanding” rating acknowledges the bank’s commitment to community development in 2023.

Vista Bank recently made a big investment in South Dallas’ Fair Park area, launching the first banking and financial literacy ecosystem in the area in more than 30 years. The bank collaborated with the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and South Dallas Fair Park Innovation Center on the project, which transcends financial education and forges “a genuine path to ‘yes’ for small-business owners ready to do the work— teaching them how to fish while simultaneously cultivating a quality pond,” according to a press release

“Though well-intentioned, what we’ve done in this country historically is not working,” says John D. Steinmetz, president and CEO. “As most, if not all, within our industry know, if we don’t change our approach to the Community Reinvestment Act, we will never change the outcome and, more importantly, the communities we serve.”

Vista Bank’s community development highlights include:

• lending in low- and moderate-income communities totaling more than $96.8 million during the recent examination period—up 1,100 percent over the prior period;
• team members joining community partners and volunteering a total of 1,482 hours on multiple projects, with a focus on teaching financial literacy—up 406 percent from the prior exam;
• donating $235,507 to charitable causes in its neediest communities; and
• investing more than $30 million to support strategic community development efforts.

Established in 1912, Vista Bank serves markets across North, Central and West Texas, as well as Florida, through 18 banking offices.