TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has appointed Matt Tower vice president and assistant general auditor. He will work with the bank’s general auditor to establish strategic priorities for the audit department and oversee the development and execution of the audit plan. Tower joined the Dallas Fed in 2021 as assistant vice president of the … Read more
On April 24, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced four new members of its minority depository institutions (MDI) subcommittee to the advisory committee on community banking. Arturo “Art” Ortega, chairman and CEO of Alamo-based Freedom Bank, is one of the four named to the subcommittee, along with John Tom Anderson, president and CEO of … Read more
On August 25, Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new location in Dallas at 5310 Forest Lane. The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, local leaders, American National Bank & Trust executives and community members. Bank executives outlined American National Bank & Trust’s vision for the future, its … Read more
Forbes has released its 15th annual list of “America’s Best Banks,” with numerous companies headquartered in Texas making the cut. Of the 100 banks on the list, eight are based in the Lone Star State. Here are the Texas-based 2024 “America’s Best Banks” (the numbers indicate the bank’s ranking on Forbes’ list of U.S. banks: … Read more
By Allison Maddock, CSI To find out how bankers will confront challenges associated with a changing technology landscape, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, financial crimes and more, Kentucky-based CSI, a leader in the fintech and regtech industries, surveyed banking executives from across the nation about their strategies and priorities for 2024. The survey results spotlight the challenges … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Lone Star State Bank of West Texas, based in Lubbock, has merged into Prosperity Bank, based in El Campo. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Great Plains National Bank, based in Elk City, Oklahoma, to establish a branch at 2620 N. Travis in … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that First National Bank Texas, based in Killeen, has applied to establish a branch at 4101 W. Wheatland Rd. in Dallas. The OCC reports that Investar Bank NA, based in Baton Rouge, has applied to establish a branch at 2657 S. Loop 336 W, Ste. B, in Conroe. The OCC reports … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced a number of employee promotions. Misde Shillings has been elected executive vice president. She joined the Austin Bank team in 2019 as a senior vice president and controller. Prior to joining the bank, she spent 10 years at Happy State Bank and … Read more
Two esteemed banking executives retired this spring from Mt. Pleasant-based Guaranty Bank & Trust. Clifton A. “Cappy” Payne has retired after 40 years with Guaranty Bank & Trust. He joined the bank in 1984, became controller in 1988 and was elected to the board of directors of both the bank and the holding company in … Read more
On March 19, Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust Co. announced a number of promotions during its employee awards dinner. In addition to promotions in the bank’s Fort Worth, Frisco, Richardson, Marshall, Tyler Grande and Gladwater offices, six associates who work in the Longview office were promoted. Regina Mixon was promoted to vice president and treasury … Read more