Brian Heflin, Houston Market President, MidFirst Bank

A keen focus on client relationships coupled with healthy economic factors, such as the growth happening in the city of Houston, allows the banking sector to continue to support local businesses, Brian Heflin, Houston market president of MidFirst Bank, said to Invest:. “To me, banking will continue to be a relationship-based business, and the larger, the more complex the transaction, our job as bankers is to listen, learn, and understand our customers and personalize solutions that help them achieve their goals,” Heflin said.

What key changes have impacted the bank’s operations in the past year?

It has been an eventful year for our operations and Houston in general. Houston’s economy has remained strong, even when there has been turbulence and a constantly changing macro environment. We have seen a strong overall performance of our customers and the economy locally. In Houston, we have the highest number of workers who are returning to the office of any major metro, which is a reflection of how the local businesses are doing. Downtown is certainly busier. As far as our operations, we are excited about our growth in the region. We opened our offices in November 2021. Last year, we acquired the local Houston banking locations of Amerant Bank. We have added many new clients, over $500 million in new loans and deposits, six new banking locations, and 45 new team members. We have a terrific team and are well-positioned to continue to serve the Houston community. 

What differentiates MidFirst Bank from its industry peers?

We are the largest privately owned bank in the country with more than $40 billion in assets. We are family-owned, which provides a competitive advantage and an opportunity to think long-term. We prioritize stability and client relationships, and sustainable long-term growth across all of our markets. We are optimistic about the future. We serve a dynamic market in Houston where the economy is resilient. The region is being fueled by a rebounding energy sector; however, the overall diversity of the economy is strong. We have growing healthcare and logistics sectors, as well as a growing population. 

What industry sectors are showing the most demand for banking services?

We have seen consistent demand across multiple industry sectors.  We are active when it comes to lending to manufacturing and wholesale distribution. We are active in real estate lending and in all asset classes. My focus is on commercial banking, but we have a wide variety of services – from Private Banking and Private Wealth Management to Aviation Financing and Healthcare Lending.

How does the bank continue to adapt its services to meet the evolving needs of its clients?

We are always adapting and changing and looking for opportunities across the market. Our recent acquisition of Amerant Bank’s Houston locations provided us with an immediate branch network. We now have six branch locations and have a new one slated to be operational by the end of 2025 that will house our experienced and growing Private Banking team. We have been onboarding great team members with great experience and knowledge in the market, and combining them with our existing team, which provides us with an extremely talented group that knows the market and has been in Houston for a significant time. Combining our experienced Houston team with being the largest privately owned bank and delivering our products and services in a community-based fashion has resonated in the market, and we have been able to grow. We will continue to evaluate opportunities regarding where we need to be and where we should invest in the future. 

How do you see embedded finance with non-bank platforms changing the sector?

These platforms are emerging, convenient, and creative. Most of what we do on the commercial side is work with clients who have complex needs. We have a small-business team that is focused on working with smaller entrepreneurs, a commercial lending team that works with medium-sized commercial and industrial clients, and a real estate lending group that focuses on larger real estate opportunities. However, banking is still a relationship business, and there is a lot of value in meeting with clients and understanding their business goals and strategies, and providing them with resources and solutions to help them achieve their goals and dreams. To me, banking will continue to be a relationship-based business, and the larger, more complex the transaction, the more you need an experienced banker. Our job as bankers is to listen, learn, and understand our customers and personalize solutions that help them achieve their goals. This may be difficult to do in a digital and less personal manner. 

What is the bank’s approach to digital and tech investments?

We have invested tremendously in our online platforms and our treasury management product set, which makes us competitive. We are always looking at internal processes and how to become more efficient and more fluid. 

What is the bank’s approach to community investment?

We are involved in our community. Our team members live and are raising their families in Houston, and they are committed to serving our customers and our community because the positive impact they make positively affects their families, as well. This is what is great about being a banker: What we do matters and has an impact on a variety of different people. MidFirst is known to be community oriented. Over the years, MidFirst has donated millions to great non-profits across the country. Our employees even get eight hours of paid volunteer time each year. We are the official sponsor of Rice Athletics, which allows us to connect with athletes, alumni, and the greater public locally. We are always looking for ways to invest back into our community. Whether it’s helping a small business secure capital or investing in financial education programs, we’re deeply committed to being a banking partner that grows alongside the communities we serve.  

What is your outlook for the next 12-18 months?

We are going to prioritize having a long-term vision, building client relationships, and sustainable growth. We are optimistic about the future, particularly because we are in Houston. The region is economically resilient and fueled by healthy economic factors, which present opportunities for us. We want to build long-term relationships and opportunities that may include expanding our talent base and deepening our market presence. We are proud to invest in the Houston community and will continue to do so. We will be committed to being a reliable and forward-thinking financial partner that brings the scale and strength of a major bank with the personalized service and community focus of a family-owned institution. We are a strong financial institution. We are well-positioned to be a steady financial partner for our customers and community in good times and times of economic uncertainty.