TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Fort Worth-based Trinity Bank, a commercial bank that began operations in 2003, is celebrating its 20th anniversary year. The award-winning bank has grown steadily over the past two decades and is one of only two community banks remaining in Fort Worth. To celebrate, the bank has held a series of customer appreciation days featuring food, … Read more
Texan by Nature, a Texan-led conservation nonprofit organization founded by former Texas First Lady Laura Bush, has appointed Jayme Shy, senior vice president and associate general counsel/regulatory affairs at Dallas-based Comerica Bank, to its board of directors. Texan by Nature connects hundreds of conservation partners to catalyze conservation investment and activity across Texas. With a … Read more
The board of directors of First Texas Bank Georgetown has announced the hiring of Alexis Michael as president and chief executive officer. She comes to the bank with more than 20 years of community banking experience, serving the past 19 years in the Central Texas market. Throughout her career, Michael has received recognition for her … Read more
Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced the recent appointment of Suzelle Tinnell as chief of staff. Making the announcement was Stephen C. Raffaele, president and CEO. Tinnell joined American Bank in 2012 as manager of the bank’s project management office. She later transitioned to chief deposit services officer and eventually to director of enterprise planning and … Read more
On September 25, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced the appointment of Jesse H. Garcia Jr. as the chief information officer at the Texas Department of Banking, effective October 1. He will be responsible for the daily operations and future technological advancement plans of the department’s information technology division. Garcia brings to the department … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that First National Bank Texas, based in Killeen, has applied to establish the following branches: 4107 Fry Rd. in Katy and 1015 Hwy. 80 in San Marcos. The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Farmers and Merchants Bank, based in De Leon, to establish a branch at 508 … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that Home Bank NA, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, has applied to establish the following branches: 19415 Gulf Fwy. in Webster and 5940 Fairmont Pkwy. in Pasadena. The OCC reports that Citizens National Bank, based in Cameron, has applied to establish a branch at 1711 Central Texas Expwy., Ste, 105, in Killeen. … Read more
On September 22, First Financial Bankshares, the financial holding company of Abilene-based First Financial Bank, announced the appointment of Javier Jurado to serve as executive vice president and chief audit executive. He will oversee and execute internal audit planning and reporting, and report directly to the audit committee. Jurado brings more than 19 years of … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently announced that Christopher Doyle, president and CEO of Texas City-based Texas First Bank, has been elected chairman of the IBAT board of directors for 2023–24. He officially accepted this position during the association’s 49th Annual Convention held September 16–19 in Frisco. In addition to Doyle, members of … Read more
On September 18, Bowie-based Legend Bank received the Best of Show honor during the 2023 Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards presented by the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). The Awards Luncheon, held as part of the organization’s 49 Annual Convention in Frisco, recognized the top 17 recipients of IBAT’s 2023 BOCB Awards. This … Read more