TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank announced a promotion and a new hire in May. Donna Haisler has joined the bank as first vice president/HR manager. She has been in banking for more than 36 years. She previously served as chief operating officer at Providence Bank and, prior to that, at Southwest Securities FSB. Haisler earned … Read more
Kemp-based Harmony Bank NA and Dallas-based Texas Brand Bank have officially closed on their merger, conducting business as Harmony Bank and now operating as a Texas state-chartered bank. The merger agreement was announced last September by John J. Carona, former Texas state senator and chairman of Harmony Bank, and Edward B. Tomlinson II, chairman of Texas … Read more
Hallie Watson recently joined San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank as executive assistant supporting Jon Rebello, Austin market president, and the commercial lending team. Most recently, she served as chief of staff to the CEO of a financial events company based in New York City. Previously, Watson worked at ExecOnline, an edtech startup, as a senior associate … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has awarded five $2,500 scholarships to graduating high school students whose parents are employed at the bank. The recipients of the 2023 scholarships are: Grant Ashby, Lufkin High School, Lufkin; Ryland Carlile, Florence High School, Florence; Tiyah Courville, Cayuga High School, Cayuga; Riley Lux, Sabine High School, Gladewater; and Aspen Woodall, Sabine High … Read more
Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank announced its continued growth in North Texas with the addition of a new location in Southlake, which opened earlier this year at 1110 E. Southlake Blvd. The bank has hired a new team of seasoned North Texas bankers to serve Southlake customers. Brandi Davis brings 30 years of banking experience to … Read more
On May 9, Texas Capital Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Dallas-based Texas Capital Bank, announced the recipients of its first annual Honors Awards program. Awarded through the Texas Capital Bank Foundation, which the firm launched in 2022 to expand and elevate its philanthropic giving, the program includes three grants of $50,000 each that correspond … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Prosperity Bank, based in El Campo, has completed its acquisition of FirstCapital Bank of Texas NA, based in Midland. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved applications by First National Bank Texas, based in Killeen, to establish the following branches: 8538 I.H. 35 S, Ste. 120, in … Read more
Charters The OCC reports that Inspire Bank NA, based in Houston, has applied for a bank charter. Branches The OCC reports that JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, based in Columbus, Ohio, has applied to establish a branch at the southwest corner of El Dorado Blvd. and Gatebrook Dr. in Webster. The OCC reports that it has … Read more
Forbes has released its fifth annual list of the “World’s Best Banks,” with numerous banks headquartered and/or doing business in Texas making the cut. Of the 75 banks based in the U.S., at least 16 of them operate in the Lone Star State. San Antonio-based USAA Federal Savings Bank topped the list of U.S.-based banks. … Read more
Oklahoma City-based Valliance Bank has named Cara McClain president of Valliance Bank McKinney. She brings a diverse banking background, as well as more than 25 years of banking experience to the McKinney team. For the past four years, McClain served as president of the private bank at Valliance McKinney. Prior to joining Valliance, she served … Read more