HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Journey Financial Group, Inc. (“Journey”), a Texas corporation, and Lone Star Bank (“Lone Star”), a Texas banking association with its home office in Houston, Texas, jointly announced today the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Journey will acquire Lone Star. The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of Journey and Lone Star, is expected to close in late second quarter or early third quarter of 2026, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the shareholders of Lone Star and bank regulatory authorities.
Journey is led by Dean O. Bass and Kevin Bass. Dean Bass founded Spirit of Texas Bank in 2008 which started by concentrating in the Houston SMSA and then expanded into each of the major cities in Texas. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dean led its growth from a small $39 million bank1,2 into a multi-market Texas platform going public under the ticker STXB before selling the company to Simmons First National Corporation in 2022. At the time of sale, the bank had reached over $3B in total assets. Earlier, Mr. Bass founded Royal Oaks Bank in Houston, a few miles away from Lone Star’s Headquarters, which he built into a profitable community bank and sold to a Missouri-based banking company, which provided a successful exit for its shareholders.
Dean O. Bass, Journey Chairman and CEO, stated, “We have admired the growth and reputation of the Lone Star franchise over the past many years and are excited about the potential of this new partnership to become a leading community bank for the Houston community.”
Dennis L. Harrington, Lone Star President and CEO, will stay with the new company serving as Vice Chairman and Houston President. “Under the veteran leadership of Dean Bass, Journey has the capital resources and relationships to expand the reach of Lone Star across the Houston area and into new and larger business opportunities.”
Established in 2006, Lone Star is an independent and privately owned community bank primarily engaged in commercial banking with a diversified line of financial products and services, including conventional business and real estate loans and SBA loans. It operates four banking locations throughout Harris, Colorado and Austin Counties, Texas. As of December 31, 2025, Lone Star had total assets of $191 million, total deposits of $167 million and total loans of $166 million.1
Journey Financial Group, Inc. is advised by Hovde Group, LLC as financial advisor and Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is serving as legal counsel. Lone Star Bank is advised by Piper Sandler & Co. as financial advisor and Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is serving as legal counsel.
1Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro
2Total assets as of September 30, 2008
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding the proposed transaction, the business of Lone Star and other matters. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, protections, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically, but not exclusively, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “likely,” “intends” “plans,” “pro forma,” “projects,” “estimates” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or contemplated by the particular forward-looking statement, and, therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and neither Journey nor Lone Star undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.
Contacts
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dean Bass
Chairman
Journey Financial Group, Inc.
281.705.0273
[email protected]
Kevin Bass
President
Journey Financial Group, Inc.
281.703.9392
[email protected]
