Forty Under 40: Xochitl M. Baxter

Xochitl (pronounced “sa-chi”) Baxter has been with Arvest Bank for more than half her life. Starting out as a teller in 1992, Baxter has worked her way up the ladder, from mortgage assistant to loan officer to senior VP, private banking manager, a post she’s held since 1999.

She says she’s heard it plenty of times: She’s too young to have worked with one company for so long. But it’s true. She and Arvest have been together for 22 years.

“I’ve grown up here,” Baxter said.

Indeed she has. During college, she enjoyed work more than school and, due to her love for Arvest, changed her major from accounting to banking.

When the company asked if she’d be interested in establishing the private banking department, she agreed to give it a try. Now, Baxter manages a $90 million portfolio with a niche customer base of physicians and medical clinics, and eight associates report to her.

Baxter doesn’t plan on leaving Arvest anytime soon.

“I can’t imagine any other company that I could work for that would have the environment and culture and comfort level,” she said. “I’m happy at work.”

In the last seven years, Baxter has devoted time to the MANA Charitable Fund. Most recently, she’s been involved with the Teamworks Ministry, which raises money to purchase toys and equipment for children with disabilities.