The idea for Texas Regional Bank emerged in 2008 when four businessmen recognized the community banking void in their local region caused by the consolidation of privately-held community and regional banks. Over the years, locally-owned banks had decreased, reducing the banking choices in many parts of Texas. Michael Scaief, Bobby Farris, Tudor Uhlhorn and Bill Elliff, leaders in business and the community, set out to develop a regional banking franchise committed to the success of the community. The group identified what had worked among regional banks in the past and adopted these strategies as operating principles. Key objectives in their business plan were to: Hire top bankers who know their customers, and can make decisions Build a broad shareholder base and ownership structure, so no one family could control more than 10% of the bank Raise enough capital to be effective in the market Embrace technological advances to accommodate emerging and future banking trends.