The influence of Amarillo's oldest family-owned bank is well seen throughout Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle. However, the bank's influence extends far beyond just Amarillo, even reaching the statehouse.
In Austin, Representative Four Price has served the Amarillo area since 2011. Price currently works at Amarillo National Bank as vice president and trust officer and, according to the Texas Tribune, Price also has a dependent child that works at the ANB fitness center, as of the most recent available personal finance report.
In 2017, Price authored a resolution that was read on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives, commemorating Amarillo National Bank's 125th anniversary. The resolution was read with a number of other resolutions, eventually being enrolled into the House journal. This appears to be the only bill directly authored by Price that has recognized or benefited ANB.
Price has served as state representative for district 87 since January of 2011. In 2010, Price defeated Victor Leal in the Republican primary and Democrat Abel Bosquez in the general election to succeed David Swinford. Price has since faced Bosquez in 2012 and 2014 rematches and is set to face Fritch city manager Drew Brassfield in the Republican primary in March of 2018.
In his position as state representative, Price serves on several committees, including: Public Health, Health & Human Services Transition, Natural Resources and General Investigation and Ethics. Price serves as chair of the Public Health committee.
Price has long been considered a lieutenant of Speaker Joe Straus. Price has earned the support of several mainstream legislative groups and Republican establishment organizations. Price was also named one of the best legislators of the last regular session, by Texas Monthly.
Price is not the first local politician who has worked at Amarillo National Bank. Jim Simms and Lilia Escajeda worked for Amarillo National Bank both before and during their terms as members of the Amarillo City Council.
Other local banks also have influence among local officials. Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson serves on the Happy State Bank board of directors and Canyon Mayor Gary Hinders works as president of the Canyon branch for Happy State Bank. Johnny Mize, a member of the Amarillo College Board of Regents, also serves on a local bank board, serving with First Bank Southwest.
