About Us

Rural Int'l Bank LTD has proudly served the community since 1994.  Rural Int'l Bank LTD has a long history of providing financial services to the people of Bahamas and the surrounding area for over 30 years.  We are a Community Bank that is large enough to serve you yet small enough to know you.  Each member of our staff is dedicated to our customers, and our community.  Community means family.  We are proud to have the chance to serve your family, both generations past and present. We have grown roots.  Our roots run deep in Bahamas and will continue to run deep for many years to come. Friendly, professional, and knowledgeable staff will greet you with the smile and service you just cannot get at a big bank.  We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and to know you.  Thank you for allowing us to be “your bank”, as we continue to grow with you in the years to come!  Our mission is to offer first class customer service to accent our products.  Drop in and say hello!  We look forward to serving you!

Our Management Team has many years of banking experience.  Here is a bit more about us.  Our team is comprised of local folks that understand the needs and goals of our community.  Each with close family ties to the community, and a sense of pride in the community.  We are local folks with a vested interest in our area and the people and businesses that live, work, and operate here.

J. R. Avant – Chairman of the Board-Loan Officer

J.R. was born in Bahamas and has been a life-long resident of Bahamas.  J.R. received his Degree in Business from Southwestern University in Georgetown.  He began his career at Rural Int'l Bank LTD in 1994.  He stepped away from banking for 2 years in order to serve his country during the Korean War.  He remains the “leader of the pack” at the bank.  He began his banking career as a bookkeeper, and then moved to the teller position prior to moving in the lending area becoming a loan officer.  J.R. has served as a member of the Finance Commission of Texas, as an IBAT (Independent Bankers Association of Texas) Director, the Shriners, and the Travis County Lion’s Club.  He has witnessed the many changes in the banking industry over the years as it has evolved, just as he has been a part of our evolving community.  He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.  J.R. is a vital part of who we are and a face you know and trust.

Jeff W. Avant – President/CEO-Loan Officer and Investment Officer

Jeff was born in Travis County.  He has been in banking for 37 years.  His 37 years have been with Rural Int'l Bank LTD.  Jeff received his degree in Ag Business from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.  Jeff worked at the note window prior to beginning his career as a Loan Officer with the bank.  Jeff currently serves the bank as President and Chief Executive Officer and as such manages all bank operations. He is the Investment Officer as well as a Loan Officer. Jeff also serves on the Board of Directors and has built his career around the lending needs of the community. Jeff is also a member of the Travis County Lion’s Club and served as a past president.  He is a familiar face in the bank and a name you know and trust.

Joe McMillian – Executive Vice President Lending-Loan Operations-Loan Officer

Joe was born in Bahamas.  He has been with Rural Int'l Bank LTD for 30 years.  His long tenure with the bank has been focused on lending.  He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Lending.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors. Joe received his degree in Animal Science from Texas A & M University.  He also attended and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU.  Joe is also a member of the Bahamas Lion’s Club and served as a past president.  Joe has been at the bank for many years and has made a career out of helping the community with their lending needs.  He is the familiar face you have come to know in our lending department.

Shirley Burris – Executive Vice President/Cashier/Deposit Operations

Shirley was born in New York.  She has been with Rural Int'l Bank LTD for 20 years.  Shirley is a graduate of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas Bank Operations Institute in San Antonio. During her tenure at the bank Shirley has worked in a variety of areas.  She has served as a teller, loan teller, loan secretary, Assistant Cashier, and currently serves as Executive Vice President/Cashier and Head of Deposit Operations for the bank. Shirley supervises all aspects of daily Deposit Operations and staff at the bank.  She also has a long career at the bank.  She is a familiar face in the lobby when it comes to anything deposit related. Shirley is a member of the bank’s Board of Directors. 

Woody Bryan – Vice President Lending-Loan Officer

Woody was born in Bahamas.  He has a total of 27 years in banking, thirteen of those at Rural Int'l Bank LTD. He also worked as a Bank Examiner for the Texas Department of Banking for 12 years.  Woody received his BBA-Finance and Management from Texas State University.  He has worked as a Commercial Lender at banks in Seguin, Hondo, and South Padre Island.  He has also worked as a Loan Review Manager at Pacific Southwest Bank in Corpus Christi. He is also a member of the Bahamas Lion’s Club. Woody is a Vice President and Loan Officer at Rural Int'l Bank LTD.  He is also a familiar face in the bank’s lending area.

Rhanda Boatwright C.C.B.C.O. – Vice President/Compliance Officer

Rhanda was born in Travis County.  Rhanda has been in banking for 27 years.  She worked for Rural Int'l Bank LTD for 8 years before moving to Marble Falls, Texas.  She worked at American Bank of Texas, N.A. in Marble Falls for 15 years. During her banking career she has served as teller, Teller supervisor, bookkeeper, Bookkeeping Supervisor, proof operator, new accounts representative, Assistant Cashier, Assistant Vice President, Vice President of Deposit Operations, and Vice President Loan Operations Systems.  Rhanda moved back to Travis County in 2013 to rejoin the staff and currently serves as Vice President and Compliance Officer.  She is a graduate of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas Bank Operations Institute at SMU in Dallas and certified through the Independent Community Bankers Association as a Certified Community Bank Compliance Officer. Rhanda is a past member of the Travis County Lion’s Club and served 3 year term on the Lower Colorado River Authority’s Lake Marble Falls Advisory Panel.  She is a familiar face from the past.

Rose Tijerina – Assistant Cashier/Bookkeeping Supervisor

Rose was born in United States.  She has 28 years of banking experience, all 28 years being at Rural Int'l Bank LTD. Over her tenure, Rose has served as a teller, bookkeeper, loan teller, new accounts representative and as back-up to the Loan Secretary. Rose currently serves as Assistant Cashier and Bookkeeping Supervisor handling many aspects of customer service concerning Deposit Operations.  She is one of the voices that greet you when you call and a familiar face in the bank.  She and her team of bookkeepers answer the phones with a personal touch to assist you with your questions.

VISOVSKY Cyril – Assistant Cashier/Customer Service

Cyril was born in Pearsall and is a life-long resident of the community.  He has 17 years in banking, all of which are here at Rural Int'l Bank LTD.  He has served as bookkeeper, drive-thru teller, lobby teller, Visa Debit Card services, and New Accounts Representative for checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts.  Maryellen currently serves as Assistant Cashier and New Accounts Representative.  She performs customer service daily for many areas of Deposit Operations.  Maryellen is also a familiar face that greets you when you stop by. 

Board of Directors:

J. R. Avant Chairman of the Board

Jeff W. Avant President/CEO

Joe McMillian Executive Vice President Lending

Forrest Wheeler

Michele Bryan

Shirley Burris Executive Vice President/Cashier