DALLAS: Bright Force Holding, LLC has acquired American Bank, N.A., a community bank located in North Dallas with almost $55 millionin assets. The purchase became effective at the close of business on March 8, according to a statement issued by American Bank.
Bright Force Holding, based in the Dallas suburb of Lewisville, Texas, is an investment group that consists of three prominent Asian American business leaders – Mehul Patel, Chirag Patel, and Mital Patel.These investors serve as senior executives with NewcrestImage, a hotel development and management company that operates a portfolio of 28 properties.
The three investors became members of American Bank’s board of directors, joining three directors who currently serve: veteran Texas banker John Goforth, who will also remain President and CEO of the bank; and business executives Mark Kelly and Jake Menefee.
“We will maintain the highly-personalized service that customers have come to expect from American Bank,” said Chirag “Chuck” Patel, the bank’s new Chairman of the Board.
“In addition, we see a tremendous opportunity to introduce new banking services – such as the sophisticated, forward-looking solutions that young entrepreneurs and start-up companies expect.
“We understand first-hand the challenges and priorities that owners of small and medium-sized businesses have for fast, local decision-making without bureaucracy.”
“We have created a community bank where customers are known by their name, not their account number,” explained John Goforth, who has served as President and CEO of American Bank since 2010. “Our priority is to enhance and build on the bank’s well-deserved reputation for being convenient and competitive – the bank that can meet all of your banking needs with one stop or one call.”
American Bank currently operates a single location at 2707 West Northwest Highway in northwest Dallas. It was established in May of 1974 as Pan American National Bank of Dallas, changing its name to American Bank in May of 1987.
Bright Force Holding was represented in the transaction by Alston & Bird LLP as legal counsel, while Commerce Street Capital served as financial advisor. American Bank and its parent company, ABNA Holdings, Inc., were represented by Fenimore, Kay, Harrison & Ford, LLP as legal counsel.
