February 4, 2013 – Houston Business Journal

by Colin Eaton - Reporter

Woodforest National Bank, a $3.7 billion-asset financial institution based in The Woodlands, said Monday Julie Mayrant has been promoted to president of the retail division at the bank.

While banks are shutting down branches across the country, Woodforest has expanded its footprint and had the 17th-largest collection of retail branches among U.S. banks last year, with 757 offices in 17 states, according to Charlottesville, Va.-based SNL Financial LC.

Woodforest’s branches usually populate large grocery stores, primarily Wal-Mart, and about 93 percent of Woodforest’s branches had below $10 million in assets in 2012, according to SNL.

Prior to her new role, Mayrant served as executive vice president of retail at Woodforest, and she has 19 years of experience in the banking industry, Woodforest said in a statement.

Woodforest was the 25th-largest bank in Houston in 2012 with 26 offices and $387 million in deposits, up 2 percent from the previous year, according to SNL.

The 2012 Tomball Dash was held in downtown Tomball, Texas on November 10, 2012.  The certified 5K run began at 8:00 AM CDT. Net proceeds benefit the Woodforest Charitable Foundation (www.woodforestcharitablefoundation.org).

• 4-Star Safe and Sound Rating
  (Bankrate.com, March 2012)
• 4-Star Excellent Rating
  (BauerFinancial.com, March 2012)
• A- Excellent Financial Strength
  (Weiss Ratings.com, June 2012)
• Ranked #2 Among Texas-Based Banks in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 US Retail Banking Satisfaction Survey
  (Houston Business Journal, April 2012)

The 3rd annual Woodforest Charity Run was held in beautiful downtown Conroe, Texas on September 22, 2012.  The 10k shotgun started at 7:45 AM CDT followed by the 5K start at 8:00 AM CDT.  Net proceeds benefitted the Woodforest Charitable Foundation (www.woodforestcharitablefoundation.org).

April 20, 2012 – Houston Business Journal

Texas is one of the top regions in J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study, and its No. 1 ranked bank, Frost National Bank, has the highest score across the study.

Texas' overall average customer satisfaction index is 765, based on a 1,000-point scale. Out of 11 states and regions, only two had higher averages: the South Central region, with 773, and the North Central region, with 770.

After San Antonio-based Frost National Bank's score of 859, The Woodlands-based Woodforest National Bank, with 817, has the second-highest score in Texas. El Campo-based Prosperity Bank is third, with 802.

Nationwide, the average index is 753, up one point from last year's study. By size, midsize banks have the best overall score, 781, up four points from last year. Big banks' score increased two points from last year to 743. Regional banks' score dropped one point to 759.

The study measures customer satisfaction on six factors: account activities, account information, facility, fees, problem resolution and product offerings.

Pictured: Kim and Robert Marling (center) are congratulated as being selected as a 2011 Hometown Hero by (left to right) Dr. Gerald Cobb, Chairman of the Board at Woodforest National Bank; Dr. Ann Snyder, president and CEO of Interfaith, and Dan Hauser, Regional President of Woodforest.

September 8, 2011 - The Villager, The Woodlands, Texas

Kim and Robert Marling moved to The Woodlands, Texas in 1992. The Marlings have raised their three children - Brandon, Charlie, and Brittney - here and were a significant part of their lives from Robert, in the past, coaching little league baseball at ORWALL and Kim and Robert raising funds to improve the ORWALL fields and facilities. Kim also was a former member of the Board of Directors for The John Cooper School.

The Marlings have personally supported many local charities with their time and financial resources including Interfaith of The Woodlands, Interfaith Community Clinic, Montgomery County United Way, Montgomery County Food Bank, New Danville, The Friendship Center, Montgomery County Women’s Center, Montgomery County Youth Services, Habitat for Humanity, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes and many more notable charities.

Robert has served on numerous boards including Chairman of the Board of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, Montgomery County United Way Campaign Chairman, former Advisory Director of the Memorial Hermann Foundation and Advisory Council of the North Harris Community College District.

Kim has also served in many volunteer capacities including member of The Woodlands Chapter of the National Charity League, former member of the Board of Directors of Pavilion Partners for the Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands and has served as Committee Chair/member for numerous fundraising galas in the community. Together, Kim and Robert chaired a past Montgomery County Heart Ball.

As founders of Woodforest National Bank, headquartered in The Woodlands, the Marlings were the driving force to create Woodforest Charitable Foundation (WCF) in 2005. Robert serves as the President of the Foundation and Kim serves as the Vice President and Executive Director. In 2010, more than 131 charities in 15 states received funds with 85 of those donations going directly to food banks. Since its inception, the WCF has donated significantly to Montgomery County charities.

“I cannot think of a better couple to be honored as Hometown Heroes than Kim and Robert Marling. They have raised their family in The Woodlands, spent countless hours volunteering their time to help improve the community; they have provided both leadership and their economic resources to make this a great community; and have consistently dedicated their time and energy to worthy causes such as the arts, education, local charities and helping make The Woodlands the great community that it has become,” said Ray Sanders, Chief Credit Officer of Woodforest National Bank.

April 23, 2010 – Houston Business Journal

Woodforest National Bank has received the second-highest Texas score in an annual banking satisfaction report.

The Woodlands-based bank scored 800 points out of a possible 1,000 in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study.

Topping the Texas ranking was San Antonio-based Frost National Bank, with a score of 829, while Virginia-based Capital One came in third among Lone Star State customers polled at 787. The average satisfaction score across the country was 748 out of a possible 1,000 points.

BBVA Compass had the lowest score among Texas customers at 717. BBVA Compass, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is the U.S. banking arm of Spanish financial services giant Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA. The holding company for BBVA's U.S. operations is based in Houston.

The study analyzes customer satisfaction with the retail banking experience based on six factors: Account activities; account information; facility; fees; problem resolution; and product offerings.

Overall, J.D. Power noted that, for a fourth consecutive year, customer loyalty and perceptions of brand image among retail banking customers continue to decline, while satisfaction has leveled off.

The gap in loyalty intent between customers of larger and smaller banks is considerable, with 41 percent of customers at smaller banks who say they "definitely will not" switch, compared with 3.2 percent at larger banks. Poor customer service - the most common reason given for switching banks - is cited by 37 percent of customers who changed their primary bank in 2010.