TEXAS HERITAGE BANK (THB) has its roots in the Bank of Cross Plains, TX, (approximately 45 miles southeast of Abilene) which opened for business shortly after the turn of the twentieth century and was re-organized in 1931 during the Great Depression. The bank weathered the most severe financial panic in the history of the world, and no depositor lost a dollar.THB opened for business at the southwest corner of Main and 8th Streets in Cross Plains on November 1, 1931, with R.C. Duringer as cashier. In those days, the title of cashier was worn by Chief Executive Officers of rural banks. Duringer was not a director, however, and attended board meetings only in a secretarial capacity.