Question 1

What is American First?

Accepted Answer

American First is an Asian-American owned national bank headquartered in Houston, Texas. With approximately $2.89 billion in total assets and 20 branch locations, American First serves diverse communities across Texas, Nevada, and California. The bank specializes in serving Asian-American communities while providing comprehensive banking services to all customers, with multilingual staff capable of communicating in numerous languages.

American First is recognized as one of the leading Asian-American financial institutions in the United States, combining cultural understanding with sophisticated banking services.

Question 2

When was American First founded?

Accepted Answer

American First National Bank was organized in August 1997 by six founding members and officially opened for business on May 18, 1998. The bank was established with the vision of becoming the leading Asian-American owned financial institution within the United States.

Henry Wu has served as Chairman of the Board since the bank's inception in 1998. Under the leadership of President and CEO Bruce Chang, American First has grown from a single location to a multi-state operation serving customers across the southwestern United States.

Question 3

Where is American First headquartered?

Accepted Answer

American First is headquartered in Houston, Texas, at 9999 Bellaire Boulevard. The corporate office is located near the southeast corner of Beltway 8 and Bellaire Boulevard, strategically positioned close to the highly concentrated Asian-American community along the Bellaire Boulevard corridor.

The headquarters occupies four floors of a 12-story building, providing ample space for the bank's growing operations and corporate functions.

Question 4

Where does American First operate?

Accepted Answer

American First operates 20 branch locations across three states: Texas, Nevada, and California. In Texas, the bank maintains six branches in the Houston metropolitan area, including locations in First Colony, Harwin, Spring, Katy, and Sugar Land. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex hosts seven branches in Richardson, Harry Hines, Legacy, Plano, Carrollton, Garland, and Arlington.

The bank's Nevada presence includes four branches in Las Vegas, Pahrump, Amargosa Valley, and Henderson. In California, American First operates branches in City of Industry, Alhambra, Arcadia, and maintains a Loan Production Office to serve customers throughout the region.

Question 5

What services does American First offer?

Accepted Answer

American First provides a comprehensive suite of banking services tailored to both personal and business customers. Demand deposit services include checking accounts, money market accounts, and NOW accounts. Time and savings deposit products encompass regular savings, money market savings, certificates of deposit, and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).

The bank offers extensive lending services for businesses and consumers, including working capital loans, commercial construction financing, real estate loans, automobile financing, and personal use loans. A standout feature is the bank's experienced International Banking Department, which specializes in trade finance services such as letters of credit, international wire transfers, collections, and bill discounts.

Digital banking services include internet banking, mobile banking with Zelle integration, and mobile deposit capabilities. Additional services include Remote Deposit, ACH transfers, safe deposit boxes, international and domestic wire transfers, cashier's checks, ATM access, and notary services. The bank also maintains correspondent relationships with major banks worldwide to facilitate international transactions.

Question 6

What makes American First unique?

Accepted Answer

American First's most distinctive characteristic is its multicultural approach to banking. The staff is primarily Asian-American and possesses the ability to communicate in many different languages, enabling the bank to serve diverse communities effectively. This linguistic and cultural expertise makes American First particularly valuable to Asian-American businesses engaged in international trade.

The bank's 14-member Board of Directors brings extensive experience in both domestic and international banking. American First has developed deep expertise in international trade financing, offering specialized services that many community banks cannot provide. The bank operates an active Officer Call program and provides speakers to address local schools, businesses, and civic organizations on financial literacy topics.

With reported total assets exceeding $2.588 billion as of December 31, 2023, and full FDIC insurance coverage, American First combines the stability of a well-capitalized institution with the personalized service of a community bank focused on underserved markets.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is American First?

Accepted Answer

American First National Bank is a national bank chartered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). As a national bank, it operates under federal banking regulations and holds the designation "National Association" or "N.A."

The bank functions as a full-service commercial bank, serving both retail and business customers with a particular specialization in serving Asian-American communities and businesses engaged in international trade. This combination of national charter authority and community banking focus enables American First to offer both sophisticated international banking services and personalized local customer relationships.

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About American First in the United States