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The First State Bank of Columbus has officially merged with The First National Bank of Bastrop, bringing together two longtime Central Texas financial institutions while maintaining the First State Bank name in Columbus.
The merger became effective Aug. 1 following The First National Bank of Bastrop’s acquisition of Columbus Bancorp Inc. and its banking subsidiary, The First State Bank.
The combined bank has approximately $1.35 billion in assets, $800 million in loans and $1.2 billion in deposits, with a market spanning Bastrop, Colorado and Falls counties.
For First State Bank customers, immediate changes should be minimal. The bank will continue operating under the First State Bank brand in Columbus, with customers continuing to use the existing branch, website and digital banking platforms until the banks’ systems are converted to a single platform in early – mid 2027.
Patrick Moeller, who has been named Columbus regional president and CEO, said both banks share a similar philosophy toward community banking.
“In banking, the community is everything. If you don’t have a good community, you don’t have anything,” Moeller said. “Bastrop, with the programs they have, offers a wide variety, and their motto is their customers and the community come first. We have been the same way, and with the two coming together, I think you’re going to see big things happening in our community in Colorado County.”
Moeller previously said First National Bank of Bastrop’s history of investing in the communities it serves aligns with the culture First State Bank developed during more than a century in Columbus. First State Bank has served the Columbus community for more than 113 years.
First National Bank of Bastrop President and CEO Stephen Lee said customers can expect continuity while also gaining access to additional banking services.
“Expect the same great service from the same great people,” Lee said. “I hope we bring new products and new services to the community of Columbus and First State Bank of Columbus, and some new technology that the customer finds beneficial to them.”
Lee said in the merger announcement that combining the institutions expands the network of banking offices available to customers and the bank’s ability to serve Central Texas communities.
The First National Bank of Bastrop was founded in 1889 and serves individual, business and agricultural customers throughout Bastrop, Colorado and Falls counties.
