Bank of Texas
Bryson Bowden, left, and John Gerdes
Bank of Texas has expanded its Fort Worth corporate banking team with the addition of Bryson Bowden and John Gerdes, the bank announced this week.
Bowden joins as team lead of the corporate banking team and Gerdes as relationship manager, both reporting to Fort Worth Region CEO Mark Nurdin.
“Our attraction and addition of both Bryson and John is part of the strategic priority to grow our business in Texas,” says Nurdin in a statement. “Both have extensive knowledge of local businesses and the social landscape that will further our ability to serve our clients in a localized way. We are set for growth in Fort Worth, one of the fastest-growing areas in the country.”
The corporate banking team is focused on growing relationships with middle market, privately-held companies with annual revenues ranging up to $1 billion dollars and offering innovative solutions to address business and financial needs.
As a native of Tarrant County, Bowden has served as a commercial banker in the community for more than 17 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. He supports the community by serving on the board of directors of Communities in Schools of Tarrant County since 2017 and as Fort Worth board chair for the Association for Corporate Growth in Dallas-Fort Worth since 2015.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join this incredible organization,” says Bowden. “My goal is to engage, develop, and grow lasting relationships both internally and externally with prospects, clients and the community. Banking in Fort Worth has become highly commoditized, and there’s no shortage of competition, but I believe this will always be a town of people doing business with people and making decisions that are best for the local economy. I look forward to delivering collaborative and consultative services and fostering meaningful relationships.”
Gerdes previously held similar roles at Comerica, BBVA Compass, and Bank of America.
He earned his MBA from TCU’s M.J. Neeley School of Business, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas. Gerdes is currently serving on the board of Como Lion’s Heart.
Gerdes is a graduate of Leadership Fort Worth’s Class of 2017 and was previously director of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and board president of The Parenting Center.
“As the old saying goes, ‘I wasn’t born in Fort Worth but got here as quickly as I could!’ Having lived here for 16 years, I see a city with tremendous growth opportunities, an open business community, and a focus on altruism and philanthropy that is truly palpable,” says Gerdes. “I am excited to lead a client team that brings a robust breadth of banking products and services to local companies. I am eager to put my strengths — in leveraged sponsor lending, credit risk analysis and consultative sales — to work for Bank of Texas.”