The Story of HAPPY STATE BANK
Founded in 1908 as First State Bank, Happy, Texas, the bank operated solely in that community during its first 81 years. In 1990, J. Pat Hickman, Chairman, led a group of investors in forming Happy Bancshares, Inc. as they purchased the bank. The generically named First State Bank changed its name to the unforgettable HAPPY STATE BANK in 2004.
In 1990, the bank had six employees overseeing just over $10 million in total assets. Out of the 880 banks in Texas, Happy ranked #812 in asset size. Today, Happy has over 900 employees and nearly 60 locations in more than 40 communities across the Texas Panhandle, South Plains, Austin, Central Texas and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. With assets exceeding $5.5 billion, HAPPY STATE BANK ranks #20 out of 498 in banks doing business in Texas.
The bank has been recognized several times by Bauer Financial, Inc. for its capital strength, loan quality and profitability. For six consecutive years (2014-2019) the bank has been named one of the Best Banks to Work For in the USA by the American Banker newspaper. In 2015, the Independent Community Bankers Association noted that the bank was the 14th fastest growing community bank in the nation over a 20 year (1995-2015) period of time.
The bank has been recognized in several national and state-wide publications for its unique corporate culture. The Happy Bank has won many awards and recognition (including from the United States Treasury Department) for financial literacy training via its “Kid’s Bank” program, now in 34 elementary schools. It received the Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau for its outstanding ethical business standards. And known as a top-notch corporate citizen, the bank has been named, through local newspaper polls, as the “BEST BANK” in several of the communities it serves.
In his 2015 book, “Non-Negotiable. The Story of Happy State Bank & The Power of Accountability,” author Sam Silverstein documents how the bank’s uncompromising corporate culture has fostered the ability to experience record setting growth, provide an excellent return to its stockholders, create a unique and wonderful place to work – all while focused on giving dynamic, personal banking service to its customers, friends, and neighbors.
