Cameron-based Citizens National Bank recently announced three leadership promotions at this month’s board meeting.
Steven M. Wise has been appointed chief executive officer and president. He has been with Citizens National Bank since 2009, joining as a regional credit manager and quickly working his way up to chief lending officer in 2012. In the CLO role, Wise saw the loan portfolio grow from nearly $100 million to $290 million. He was named president in 2019 and, as of January 1, 2021, has been promoted to CEO and president. A banking professional with more than two decades of experience, prior to joining Citizens National Bank, Wise served as president of two banks in Fort Worth, an executive team member at three banks and a lending team leader. He holds a BS degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University, as well as a graduate degree in banking from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. Wise is an active community member, volunteering with many local civic groups and serving as vice president of the local groundwater conservation district. He has also served as president of several chambers and scholarship committees.
Evan Morrison has been named chief lending officer. He is a fifth-generation member of the Smith family, which founded the bank in 1900. He has been with Citizens National Bank since 2020 and will focus on growth initiatives while preserving asset quality. He has spent time as a lender, investment adviser and credit analyst and hopes to pull from these experiences to help grow Citizens National Bank. Morrison started his banking career in high school as an intern for the credit department with Texas National Bank in Waco. After completing his BS degree in agricultural economics from the University of Arkansas, he worked as a lender at ANB Financial in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Upon returning to Central Texas, Morrison has owned and operated small businesses while furthering his banking career. He has worked at both large institutions and locally owned banks. “Evan’s positive energy and business development skills will be an asset in achieving the bank’s growth goals,” Wise says.
Jim Morse has been appointed portfolio risk manager. He will be involved in loan portfolio, concentration risk management, analysis and credit review. He has been the bank’s Rockdale branch president for nearly two years and will continue in that role in addition to his new duties. A graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in finance, he extended his education at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, graduating with honors. A third-generation banker, Morse began his banking career at a community bank in Brownfield. His professional experience includes serving as chief credit officer at a community bank in West Texas. He has earned a spot on the prestigious “40 Under 40” list named by the Fort Worth Business Press. Morse has served as president of the Optimist Club and as treasurer and vice president of his local chamber of commerce. “Jim’s experience as a previous CCO will be instrumental in administering how we monitor credit risks,” Wise says.
Established in 1900, Citizens National Bank is a $500-million-asset community financial institution with eight branches across Central Texas, including Milam, Lee, Williamson and Travis counties.
