By Paula Jimenez

Elva Estrada she is a vice president and relationship manager at Austin Bank. Her journey is marked by a 20-year tenure at Southside Bank.

She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School (now Legacy High School). Ms. Estrada moved on to  pursue higher education, earning an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Tyler Junior College before earning a Bachelor of Science in General Business from the University of Texas at Tyler.

At Austin Bank, she leverages her extensive expertise to offer a wide range of financial services, including working capital lines of credit, construction loans, equipment and machinery financing, inventory loans, real estate and lot development loans, business acquisition loans, and personal loan options. Elva’s comprehensive understanding of these services enables her to tailor solutions that meet each client’s unique needs.

More importantly, her life experiences play a big role in how she treats her customers – fairly with respect, equity and dignity. As a child, she faced significant challenges, including severe speech impediments and learning disabilities. Reflecting on her past, she recalls moments when some educational professionals doubted her potential, suggesting that she might only make it through high school. Yet, with limited special educational resources at the time, she never gave up on a splendid future.

According to Estrada, she had maximum support from caring educators and professionals.

Fueled by the unwavering support of her dedicated speech therapists and teachers who encouraged her, Estrada persevered. She said, “Because of my speech issues, I often chose to stay quiet and to myself, although deep down I knew I was meant for more.” She is grateful for those educators who chose to invest in her, recognizing their role as pivotal in her journey toward empowerment. Their encouragement served as a catalyst to her zeal in assisting her bank customers and anyone she meets. “It is their help that sparked the fire in me to want to help others since the same had been extended to me.” She emphasizes that the ability to uplift someone who is searching for guidance can create an invaluable ripple effect.

Elva Estrada will be co-chair at the upcoming 2025 East Texas Leadership Summit. Courtesy photo.

In a field historically dominated by men, Elva is thrilled to see a growing number of talented women taking on leadership roles in banking, fostering an environment that reflects the diversity and dynamism of the industry. Outside the realm of finance, Elva treasures traveling adventures with her daughter and shares a love for baking—she’s known for her irresistible Tres Leches cake, a family favorite!

In addition, her commitment to service extends far beyond  banking hours. For example, Estrada is actively involved in the community and is currently  serving as the vice-president of marketing and special events on the Tyler ISD Foundation Board and is a Board president at PATH. Furthermore, she is the co-chair for the upcoming 2025 East Texas Leadership Summit and has generously offered her time to various nonprofit boards, including the First Tee of Greater Tyler, the Hispanic Professionals Association, Women in Tyler, and Lending Avenue.

There is more to Estrada.

She is a public speaker and have shared her insights through platforms such as the Texas Bankers Association Women in Banking Conference and Junior Achievement’s Girl Power program.

Elva said, “I continue to help my East Texas Community through my talent of connecting and communicating with individuals while wholeheartedly understanding them regardless of their financial or credit situation.”

Her journey from a quiet child to a vibrant community leader serves as a testament to the profound impact of support and encouragement in shaping a brighter future for all.