How Farmers Bank & Trust is increasing financial literacy across North Dallas

When a customer walks into Prosper’s Farmers Bank & Trust, they aren’t just a number; they’re greeted by name.

What starts as a quick check-in often turns into a conversation about a new business idea, a specialized loan or a long-term financial goal. Those moments are intentional. The bank’s approach begins with knowing its customers and equipping them with the knowledge they need to move forward with confidence.

“We can do everything the big banks can do, but we do it on a much more personal level,” commercial lender Madison Haltom said.

Haltom began her career in residential lending, working with first-time homebuyers, builders and investors before transitioning into commercial lending. That experience shaped how she approaches her work today.

Her passion for financial education started early. Growing up, her father introduced her to saving and investing by encouraging her to pick stocks based on brands she liked.

“He made it feel exciting and approachable,” Haltom said. “If it wasn’t for my dad teaching me, I wouldn’t have known [about finance]. Education is important to me; that’s how I can help people by being in this industry.

Turning financial confusion into confidence

For many, financial decisions—from buying a first home to launching a company—can feel overwhelming, filled with unfamiliar terms and high-stakes choices. At Farmers Bank & Trust, education is built into the process to ensure those decisions are made with clarity.

Bankers take the time to explain not just the “what,” but the “why,” helping clients see how each choice fits into a larger financial picture. Haltom emphasized that this is especially critical in the commercial world.

“[Commercial lending] is about long-term planning,” Haltom said. “My role is to … help clients understand the decision they’re making and ensure that decision supports their immediate needs, their long-term needs and their goals.”

This approach is the engine behind how the bank supports business owners across North Dallas.

Before a loan is structured, bankers work to deeply understand a client’s goals, whether they are expanding operations or improving cash flow. By walking through the process step-by-step, they ensure owners understand both the opportunities and the risks involved. Over time, this guidance leads to growth.

“A lot of our customers who have been with us for 20-plus years started with nothing,” Haltom said. “They were new businesses, and now they’re multi-billion-dollar businesses. Those are the stories of why we love doing what we do.”

Investing in financial literacy beyond the bank

That commitment to education extends beyond one-on-one conversations.

Employees of Farmers Bank & Trust are actively involved in schools, nonprofits and community initiatives, sharing financial knowledge with students and individuals who may not have access to it.

By helping people understand how to save, invest and make informed financial decisions, the bank aims to build a stronger financial foundation across the community it serves.

A local approach in a changing industry

As more community banks shift toward larger, more corporate models, Farmers Bank & Trust continues to prioritize local relationships and personalized guidance.

“It’s exciting to be a part of such a dynamic and evolving market,” Haltom said. “Our goal is to support the growth of North Dallas by helping businesses and individuals … in a way that’s thoughtful, strategic and sustainable for the future.”

Click here to learn more about personalized banking services, or to connect with a local lender today.

The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.