FDIC-Insured — Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
Chris Cronin remembers starting at American National Bank of Texas in 1988, when the institution was smaller and in the middle of the savings and loan crisis.
“It was pretty rugged,” he said. “I questioned what in the heck I’d gotten myself into.”
Nearly four decades later, Cronin now leads one of the oldest and largest independently owned community banks in Texas as president of ANBTX. He was promoted in February 2026, allowing longtime leader Robert Hulsey to focus more strategically on the bank’s long-term growth and planning.
Founded in 1875, the bank has grown into an institution with assets exceeding $5.5 billion, serving communities across North Texas while maintaining its independence in an industry increasingly shaped by consolidation.
For Cronin, the role is deeply personal.
His grandfather worked briefly at American National Bank in the 1930s. His father later served as executive vice president and vice chairman of the board alongside Hulsey.
“This has been a dream for me for a long time,” Cronin said. “American National Bank of Texas has always been a cornerstone of this community.”
Built Market by Market
Cronin’s career mirrors ANBTX’s growth story.
After joining in 1988, Cronin helped ANBTX expand across North Texas, establishing the bank’s local presence during pivotal acquisitions and market entries in the late 1980s and 1990s.
The first stop was Rockwall. Then came Forney, Greenville, Plano, and McKinney.
“That’s where I earned my stripes,” Cronin said. “We were building franchises in these communities and developing the ANBTX brand market by market.”
Along the way, Cronin learned the fundamentals of community banking from long-time banker Larry Parks, who shaped his philosophy on leadership, relationships, and local involvement.
“He taught me that community banking doesn’t happen sitting behind a desk,” Cronin said. “You get involved in the community. You go to meetings. You ask people how you can help them. And you align yourself with people of high character.”
Cronin applied his community-first philosophy in towns with diverse growth patterns across North Texas, adapting his approach to fit each new environment.
“If you aligned yourself with good people and stayed involved in the community, that mindset worked everywhere,” he said.
Independence With a Long-Term View
As consolidation continues to reshape North Texas banking, Cronin believes ANBTX’s independence has become one of its greatest strengths.
“As an independent bank, we’re in control of our destiny,” he said. “Our decision-making isn’t driven by the next quarterly earnings report. We can focus on what’s right for the long term.”
That local, long-term focus remains core to ANBTX’s identity. While many Texas community banks have been sold to larger out-of-state institutions, ANBTX continues to invest heavily in North Texas through technology, talent, and strategic growth.
In 2025, the bank completed a major core operating system conversion, one of the most complex technology projects a bank can undertake.
“If we were trying to sell the bank, we wouldn’t be making investments like that,” Cronin said. “We’re building for the long haul.”
The investment reflects a broader strategy focused on keeping the bank competitive as banking technology rapidly evolves around real-time payments, fraud prevention, AI integration, and digital banking infrastructure.
“We’re looking at AI as a way to create efficiencies and help us grow responsibly,” he said. “We’re not looking at it as a way to eliminate people. Banking is still a relationship business, especially here.”
That relationship-driven approach has also positioned ANBTX to attract experienced bankers from recently consolidated institutions across North Texas. New hires include Josh McKee, Dallas Regional President; Brian Bertcher, North Dallas Market President; Jason Dudley, Frisco Market President; and four experienced commercial bankers: Jeff Fraser, Karla Jones, Phillip Koons, and Grayson Smith.
“As these local banks get acquired, it’s created opportunities for us to bring in really talented people who still believe in community banking,” Cronin said. “That’s been a huge win for us.”
A Leadership Style Rooted in People
While Cronin credits Hulsey’s strategic vision with helping build ANBTX into what it is today, he says much of his own leadership philosophy came from watching his father.
“My dad was a very kind and gentle person,” Cronin said. “He cared deeply about the people who worked here, and I lead with empathy because of him.”
Cronin often shares the piece of advice his father gave him early in his career: “You will only be as successful as the people around you want you to be.”
For Cronin, that mindset extends beyond his management style. It also informs one of his biggest priorities as president: continuing to develop the next generation of ANBTX leaders.
“This bank has always been a great place for people to build careers,” he said. “Watching young people come in, grow, mature, and become leaders themselves, that’s probably the most rewarding part of this job.”
He points to employees who started as tellers or in entry-level positions and now hold major leadership roles across the organization.
“That’s where you really get your satisfaction,” Cronin said. “Seeing people accomplish things they maybe didn’t even realize they were capable of.”
Staying True While Continuing to Grow
Cronin says ANBTX’s next strategic plan remains focused on growing while safeguarding the bank’s independence.
The strategy centers around strengthening communities, serving customers, developing engaged employees, and achieving long-term financial stability, principles Cronin says have guided ANBTX for generations.
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying,” Cronin recalled Hulsey telling him.
Today, Cronin understands the weight behind those words more than ever.
“This job looked a whole lot easier when I wasn’t in it,” he joked.
Still, he says the opportunity isn’t one he takes lightly.
“It’s a great company with great people,” Cronin said. “We’re committed to actions that build on our legacy, like investing in our people and staying engaged with local communities, so this bank can be special for the next 150 years.”