TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On June 5, Houston-based USV Bancorp Inc. announced that it has entered the final phase of its capital raising efforts to establish the first Vietnamese/American minority-owned bank in Houston. USV Bancorp notes that this milestone marks the culmination of a vision more than 50 years in the making. Founded in 2023, USV Bancorp is a … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Rio Bank, based in McAllen, has completed its acquisition of Lone Star Capital Bank NA, based in San Antonio. The TDB reports that Citizens State Bank, based in Ganado, has completed its merger into Yoakum National Bank, based in Yoakum. Branches The OCC reports that JPMorgan Chase Bank … Read more
Houston-based Amegy Bank is opening its newest banking center on the first floor of 300 Convent St. in downtown San Antonio. The branch opening precedes the bank’s Central Texas’ headquarters relocation to the 21st and 22nd floors of the same building. Spanning more than 44,000 square feet, the new office space increases the bank’s market … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) has announced this year’s recipients of its coveted Five*Star Award: Advantage Health Plans Trust (tier 1), IntraFi (tier 2) and SHAZAM (tier 3). These three IBAT associate members—based on company size—will be honored during the association’s 2025 IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference, June 26–28 at the Moody Gardens Hotel … Read more
With the pending acquisition of San Antonio-based Lone Star Capital Bank by McAllen-based Rio Bank, B.W. “Bill” McCandless has announced his retirement. He currently serves as chairman of the board and has been an integral part of Lone Star Capital Bank since 2003. McCandless’ distinguished career in banking spans 57 years. He began his journey … Read more
This spring, Henderson-based VeraBank awarded 35 scholarships totaling $35,000 to local college-bound high school seniors through its annual Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) scholarship program. Since the inception of the program in 2005, the bank has awarded more than $252,000 in scholarships to 401 local high school students who have met the established criteria. To qualify, … Read more
Lou Deane Littlefield has joined Odessa-based SouthWest Bank to serve as senior vice president/senior compliance officer. She oversees all of the bank’s compliance processes with an emphasis on Bank Secrecy Act and Community Reinvestment Act policies and procedures. With more than four decades of banking experience Littlefield previously worked as a CRA officer and compliance … Read more
On June 4, Midland-based Community National Bank announced several new hires and promotions. Bryce Mayo has joined the bank as vice president/project manager. He began his banking career in 2004 and has since gained a wide range of experience across various banking roles while pursuing higher education at Midland College, Texas Tech University and the … Read more
Charles G. Cooper, commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking, announced the appointment of Lilliana R. Abbassi as director of strategic support. She will oversee staff responsible for developing examination policy and procedures; administering examiner training activities and the commissioning process; the consumer assistance activities relating to state-chartered bank and trust companies; the department’s financial … Read more
Jeff Welch has joined Houston-based Central Bank to serve as senior vice president and commercial banker at the bank’s West Houston branch. With more than 14 years of banking and financial industry experience in the greater Houston area, his primary focus will be on serving commercial clients across multiple industries, including construction, commercial real estate, … Read more