Sonora Bank starts construction

Sonora Bank began construction on a new facility last week near the entrance to the South River Business Park along Ranch Road 12.

“We didn’t even do a groundbreaking ceremony, because we wanted to get this thing started as fast as possible,” Josh Smith, Vice President and Lending Officer for Sonora Bank’s new Wimberley Branch, said. “We are a community bank. We are striving to hit the community needs and do the types of loans and offer the products Wimberley is calling for. That is what I have been trying to do the last 12 months is establish a presence in Wimberley, so it will be a seamless transition.”

The 4,500 square foot bank will have three drive thru lanes and be a full service bank offering deposits, loans, CDs, safety deposit boxes and more.

“Based on demographics, people, businesses and the growth in the area… Wimberley is a prime spot to receive (a banking operation),” Mike Schultz, Chief Operating Officer for Sonora Bank said.

Schultz said that the company, which has six other branches throughout Texas, took some time to make sure the build would fit into the Wimberley community.

“The river has a large prominence here but also it appeared to us that there was a large horsing, farming and ranching atmosphere that is here in this part of the Hill Country, and that is what drove us to the architecture we are looking at now.”

The barn-styled building will have 60 percent masonry on the outside and features large cathedral-type beams. There will also be a gazebo and a windmill on the property.

“Our big chandelier that will be on the inside in the lobby is a 1936 wooden canoe that will be the light fixture with three pendant lights to take advantage of not only the ranching and farming look but also the river theme with the canoe,” Schultz said.

The main entrance will be on South River with an entrance and exit along Stillwater Road.

The planned opening date for the new facility is September 3.