TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson Branches The OCC reports that Great Plains National Bank, based in Elk City, Oklahoma, has applied to establish a branch at 2620 N. Travis, Ste. 200, in Sherman. The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Veritex Community Bank, based in Dallas, to establish a branch at 4660 Sweetwater Blvd. in Sugar Land. … Read more
Bank Charters The OCC reports that it has approved an application by FundBank NA, based in Austin, to establish a bank charter. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Woodforest National Bank, based in The Woodlands, to establish a branch at 1620 W. Church St. in Livingston. The OCC reports that … Read more
The Education Foundation of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) is gearing up for the second-annual IBAT EDGE, a program that offers two days of education, renowned industry keynote speakers and leadership development training focused on community banks in Texas. The goal is to Educate, Develop, Guide and Empower (EDGE) community bank employees. This … Read more
San Antonio-based Frost Bank received 34 Greenwich Excellence and Best Brand Awards—the highest amount received nationwide for the eighth consecutive year—for providing superior service, advice and performance to small-business and middle-market banking clients. As in previous years, Frost Bank is the only Texas-based bank to receive national recognition for “Overall Satisfaction” and “Likelihood to Recommend” … Read more
Corsicana-based Community National Bank & Trust of Texas is bringing financial literacy education to more than 3,720 students and residents in several Texas counties. Students at 11 public schools and the surrounding communities are being provided free access to Banzai, an award-winning online program and content library that allows users to practice real-world finance using … Read more
Dalinda Guillen has joined Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank as its market manager for Starr and Hidalgo counties. She will help grow commercial banking relationships as well as support the economic development division in the region, including helping with the bank’s public policy efforts at the federal, state and local legislative levels. Guillen’s career has included … Read more
Jess Laird, vice chairman of Athens-based First State Bank, is retiring on March 12 after 36 years of service. Laird began his banking career with First State Bank in 1988 as a loan officer. In 1999, he was named president and chief executive officer. In 2019, he was elected vice chairman by the First State … Read more
Ozona-based Ozona Bank has hired James Oliver to serve as executive vice president/senior commercial lender. He has served on the bank’s board of directors since 2010 and for the past two years as chairman of the board, until October 2023. Oliver has many years of experience in various banking roles all over Texas. He has … Read more
Tony Clark has been tapped to serve as CEO of Arlington-based Worthington Bank’s newest location in Denton, which opened last August. He will also serve on the bank’s board of directors. His addition to the Denton team cements a reunion as he rejoins a group he has worked with for 30 years and counting. “It … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, has announced the promotion of Dustin Beavers to senior vice president. The promotion was approved at the bank’s February 2024 board meeting. With more than 18 years of banking and lending experience, Beavers has held management positions in both retail and lending operations. He … Read more