Bank of the West
Anita Minor remembers saving enough money to open a savings account while growing up.
Inspired by her grandmother’s thrifty ways, Minor pursued a dollars-and-cents passion that has seeded a successful banking career.
“Because of that, I have always wanted to help or advise others with their finances,” said Minor, CFO and executive vice president of Bank of the West in Grapevine.
For more than 22 years, Minor has worked in the banking industry. At Bank of the West, she handles accounting and financial reporting, data processing, property management and myriad other duties.
Whether toiling at the office or serving on the boards of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas or the Children’s Advocacy Center of Texas, Minor values her occupation and opportunities to represent her employer in the community.
“I feel it is important to make the time to do the things that are important to your career, as well as personally,” says Minor.
Asked to describe her greatest challenge, Minor cited managing multiple departments and employees within the bank, as well as maintaining a sense of organization. “That is something that I work on constantly,” she says.
She values her staff and plans to continue encouraging their development.
“My goals for the coming year are to continue focusing on mentoring my staff and empowering them to advance with their careers,” Minor says.
Minor, 47, graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. She and her husband, David, CEO with The Landscape Partners and founder emeritus of The Neeley Entrepreneurship Center at Texas Christian University, live in Fort Worth and have four grown children.
What is the best piece of financial advice you’ve ever received?The best financial advice I ever received was to maintain a good credit score, save for the future but give to those who are less fortunate.
What books/publications do you read to stay ahead in your industry?There are many online newsletters and publications that I read daily from our trade associations, Independent Bankers Association of Texas and Independent Community Bankers of America that keep me informed on changes in the banking industry, as well as the wealth of information available from our regulators, the Texas Department of Banking and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. I also subscribe to American Banker, which I read daily.
Who would you say is your hero/someone you look up to, and why?My two heroes are the chairman and vice chairman of Bank of the West, Gary and Cynthia (Cindy) Blankenship. Cindy has been a role model to me and to all women in the banking industry for many years and is the ultimate example of a true, passionate community banker. Gary is the CEO, the strategic planner and “rock” of the bank. Gary and Cindy have given me numerous opportunities over the past 21 years and have allowed me to learn and to advance in my career as a banker and, ultimately, the CFO, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
– A. Lee Graham