Dave Stevenson, Market President, Amegy Bank – Houston
In an interview with Invest:, Market President Dave Stevenson of Amegy Bank-Houston highlighted strong core loan growth, driven by the region’s thriving industrial, energy, and healthcare sectors. He emphasized the bank’s focus on core deposit growth, digital innovation, and personalized support for small businesses as key strategies for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
How has Amegy Bank performed over the past year, and what does that say about the industry?
Amegy Bank continues to have strong core loan growth, especially in our Commercial and Industrial (C&I) markets. A steady demand for industrial space has fueled ongoing investments in large-scale projects industry-wide. Houston remains a vibrant and actively growing market, thanks to factors such as the Port of Houston, a strong manufacturing and distribution base, the energy and healthcare sectors, and geographic growth, all propelling the region’s strong economic performance. The Port of Houston is the largest port in the U.S. for waterborne tonnage, handling nearly 300 million tons of cargo annually, while Houston’s energy sector encompasses both traditional oil and gas and the transition to renewable energy. The city’s population continues to grow, attracting businesses and talent from across the country and beyond. This demographic expansion supports a diverse and dynamic economy, creating opportunities for numerous sectors ranging from real estate to healthcare and technology.
What industry trends are shaping your strategy?
As interest rates have climbed and held at a more traditional level, all banks and their customers have been adjusting to the increases in both the loan rates they repay and the earnings from deposits that, for many years, yielded no return at all. Because of this “new normal,” banks are regaining their balance in how they acclimate to the changing rate environment. Core deposit growth remains a top priority; our stable and growing deposit base is a driver of our ability to grow our entire bank, and we remain focused on adding new customers to our bank. Additionally, we are leveraging technology to enhance our customer experience and streamline operations. Digital banking solutions are becoming increasingly important, and we have invested in innovative platforms to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
What challenges does Amegy Bank face, and how are you navigating them?
Our industry faces significant competition from various sources, including traditional banking competitors, private credit funds, institutional capital providers, and fintech companies. There is heightened competition for the core deposit and loan customers in the traditional banking system. Since Amegy Bank’s founding in the late 1980s, we have consistently focused on supporting local businesses and their owners, employees, and families, helping them grow and prosper. This commitment remains at the core of our strategy as we navigate these challenges and seek new opportunities.
How is Amegy Bank supporting small businesses?
Small businesses have always been the driving force behind our growth in Houston. The local economy offers abundant opportunities for new businesses to start and thrive. We invest in people and resources to support these businesses through SBA Loan programs, treasury services, and capital markets backed by online access and service. Our local bankers are readily available for personalized engagement and assistance, and our high-quality banking centers are staffed by experienced bankers who are accessible without an appointment. You can meet with them in person every day to receive guidance and support. We believe this approach is fundamental to building a great banking partnership.
What’s your outlook for the year ahead?
Whether in the traditional areas of Small Business, Commercial and Commercial Real Estate or specialty areas like Energy, Port/Marine, Healthcare, we see great opportunity to expand the bank by helping our customers grow.
