Celebrating 25 Years of
Legacy and Service

As we approach our 25th anniversary in 2025, we want to take the opportunity to reflect on the journey that has brought Tolleson to where we are today. With its dynamic growth and unlimited potential, Dallas has been an inspiring place to put down roots and build our firm. Over the years, we have greatly valued the opportunity to grow alongside our client families, offering more services and continuing to be a partner in all things financial.  Our upcoming anniversary milestone is a testament to our ongoing commitment to the core values on which we were founded: service, excellence, integrity, teamwork, and curiosity. 

As we look to the future, we are more excited than ever to continue serving families with excellence. Our gratitude goes out to our exceptional team and to every client who has been part of this journey. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives and financial legacies. Here’s to the bright future we are building together.

Tolleson was Built For You

Our anniversary is more to us than just a reflection of our past. It’s a commitment to our future. Tolleson was built for families with complex financial affairs looking for a partner focused exclusively on their needs and best interests. For 2025 and beyond, we remain dedicated to innovating and adapting, while keeping our primary focus on what matters most: relationships.

Tolleson Family Origins in Banking

The Tolleson family’s deep roots in Texas began in the late 1800s, when the first generations of Tollesons settled in Ellis County. A doctor by trade who visited patients on horseback, James W. Tolleson began acquiring shares in the First National Bank of Bardwell and became its president in 1917. This role marked the first generation of the Tolleson family’s legacy in banking.

By the 1920s, the rise of the automobile—particularly the Model T Ford—made it easier for patients to drive to hospitals and marked a decisive turning point in James’ career. With the bank at risk of failure and in need of a strong leader, James made the choice to leave the medical profession and to pursue banking full time, becoming a majority shareholder. From these early days as a banker, James and his small staff worked hard to serve their small agricultural community. Although he had given up his medical career, he became a healer of a different kind, helping to revive small, local banks across Texas.

This dedication to clients and community has been passed down through generations of Tollesons. When James moved to Ennis, Texas, his son Cecil H. Tolleson (John Tolleson’s father) quickly excelled in banking. John spent many Saturdays at the bank rolling coins, filing checks, and checking account balances, laying the groundwork for his banking career. 

This important history set the foundation for the personal service and focus on community that characterizes Tolleson today. As we celebrate the 25-year milestone of Tolleson Wealth Management, we celebrate a legacy of service that is deeply woven into the fabric of our firm’s culture and our vision for the future—a future that we are thrilled to share with you.

Our Recent Awards & Rankings

Latest 2024 Insights

Passing Down Your Legacy: A Philosophy for Family Philanthropy

Family philanthropy is more than just giving—it’s about uniting generations through shared values, clear purpose, and a defined vision. As you celebrate the holiday season with your family, we encourage you to spend time talking about your family’s values and vision for the world.

Read More

'Tis the Season of Giving

Would you like to know more about which nonprofit organizations are focused on education, human trafficking, children and youth, and health and wellness? Our Giving Guide, coordinated by our Philanthropy Team, is available to assist you with all your year-end giving decisions. Contact the team to learn more.

Contact

Prepare Your Children for Wealth, Not Just How to Inherit It

Preparing children for wealth involves more than just financial education or a one-time conversation. It’s about values, expectations, and a gradual, engaging process. Learn more about how having ongoing conversations and activities can help you prepare.

Read More

Top 2024 Insights

“Reaching this 25-year milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. I am grateful for the consistent support of our employees, partners, and clients. Together, we have achieved something remarkable, and I am excited for the future as we continue to push boundaries and strive for excellence.”

J. Carter Tolleson, President & CEO

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media for the latest updates, insights, and resources to support your financial journey.