1955

L.E. Cowling, the owner of a Houston insurance company, formed an organization committee for the formation of Montrose National Bank of Houston.

1956

Montrose National Bank of Houston was officially chartered in a building at 3400 Montrose at Hawthorne.

1961

The bank changed its name to Central National Bank of Houston and relocated headquarters to Houston’s 2100 Travis.

1974

Prominent Houston businessman Jack Josey, whose ventures included Josey Oil Company and several real estate investments, became the bank’s majority shareholder.

1979

The bank changed from a national bank to a state-chartered bank and amended its name to Central Bank of Houston.

1987

Central Bank of Houston purchased the larger Houston-based Liberty Bank, located at the corner of Montrose and Richmond.

1988

The bank moved its headquarters to 55 Waugh Drive with the desire for a more efficient building, and to gain exposure along Memorial Drive.

1989

Central Bank became the bank’s new shortened name when “of Houston” was officially dropped. This change allowed the bank more flexibility as it purchased two rural banks

1991

John Young, who first joined the board of directors in 1974, becomes board chairman.

1996

The bank’s growth began to accelerate, with three new branches opening in a four-year span.

2000

Central Bank purchased an established commercial accounts receivable factoring company, Advantage Business Capital.

2001

In an effort to reposition the bank for long-term growth, and with much of Houston’s population moving west, a corporate headquarters building with an included bank branch was constructed on Clay Road at Beltway 8.

2008

Central Bank opened a Galleria-area branch at Post Oak Place.

2021

On January 11, Central Bank opened its Lower Heights branch at 2799 Katy Freeway, Suite 150. The branch replaced the Midtown location, which closed days earlier.