Controversy Over $2.5 Billion Headquarters Renovation and Claims of Misleading Congress

On June 27, 2025, federal regulators closed Santa Anna National Bank, the sole banking institution in Santa Anna, Texas. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) took action after determining the bank had suffered “substantial dissipation of assets and earnings” and was in an unsafe and unsound condition. At the time, the bank’s assets were already lower than its obligations. Suspected Fraud and Financial Decline Investigations showed that “suspected fraud” played a critical role in the bank’s demise. As of mid-April, the bank held around $76.9 million in assets and $71.4 million in deposits—both sharply declined by June 18 to $63.8 million in assets and $53.8 million in deposits. Around $2.8 million of deposits exceeded FDIC insurance limits—a cautionary marker of the bank’s weakened standing (fdic.gov, bankingdive.com). FDIC Steps In, Coleman County State Bank Assumes Deposits Following the closure, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was appointed receiver and arranged for Coleman County State Bank to assume all insured deposits and some assets under a purchase-and-assumption agreement ( fdic.gov ). The bank’s only branch reopened as a Coleman County State Bank location on June 30, 2025, and customers’ accounts, checks, ATM/debit cards, and online access continued without interruption. What Should Depositors At Santa Anna bank Do? For typical depositors, the transition to Coleman County State Bank is seamless—insured balances and services remain protected (fdic.gov, colemanbank.com). However, those with uninsured funds (deposits exceeding $250,000) are urged to contact the FDIC directly to explore accessing uninsured funds or making claims (fdic.gov). Will more banks Fail in US in 2025 ? Santa Anna’s failure was the second U.S. bank collapse in 2025, following the January failure of Pulaski Savings Bank in Chicago—a similarly fraud-linked case (fdic.gov, bankingdive.com, barrons.com). It’s also Texas’ first bank failure since 2019, when Enloe State Bank folded In the small town of roughly 1,000 residents, the shutdown represented more than a banking crisis; locals described it as a “somber day,” marking the end of a 92-year institution. Vulnerabilities in the Banking System The Santa Anna case underscores vulnerabilities across the broader U.S. banking system that could cause additional failures if conditions worsen. Unrealized losses on securities: Many banks hold large portfolios of government bonds and mortgage-backed securities purchased when interest rates were low. Rising interest rates reduce their value, leaving institutions with significant “paper losses.” If banks are forced to sell these assets to cover withdrawals, those losses become real and destabilizing. Reliance on uninsured deposits: Community and regional banks with high concentrations of large, uninsured deposits are more vulnerable to sudden withdrawals. When confidence falters, depositors may quickly move funds to larger banks perceived as safer. Concentration risks: Banks serving niche industries—such as tech startups or real estate developers—face heightened risks when those sectors slow down. A downturn in one concentrated market can quickly spill into the bank’s loan performance. Operational and fraud risks: As shown in Santa Anna and Pulaski, fraud or weak internal controls remain a threat. Smaller institutions with fewer resources often lack robust compliance or risk monitoring systems Credit card balances have reached record levels , and delinquencies are trending upward, reflecting household stress. Broader consumer debt—from personal loans to buy-now-pay-later products—adds to the vulnerability, leaving banks exposed to potential waves of defaults if the labor market weakens further. While regulators emphasize that most U.S. banks remain sound, these stress points could trigger further closures if economic or confidence conditions worsen. What’s Next... While no specific bank is pegged for failure, experts warn of warning signs like rising unrealized losses, heavy reliance on uninsured deposits, and liquidity stress. While bank failures remain rare, Santa Anna’s collapse is a reminder that vulnerabilities persist. By staying within FDIC insurance limits, diversifying deposits, and monitoring signs of stress, depositors can navigate uncertain times with greater confidence.