TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Midland-based West Texas National Bank recently completed interior renovations on its Odessa banking office—ahead of schedule and despite weather setbacks, no less. NewGround, a St. Louis, Missouri-based architecture, design and project management firm, was selected to redesign and rebuild the 8,000-square-foot branded retail space. The newly remodeled interior features an open-concept floor plan. Each branch … Read more
Midland-based FirstCapital Bank of Texas recently promoted Bethany Etheredge to Midland market president. She most recently served the bank as a private banker. Etheredge has more than 12 years of bank industry experience and joined FirstCapital Bank of Texas in 2012. Etheredge holds a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Oklahoma State University. She also attended … Read more
Perryton-based Interstate Bank recently announced the retirement of president/chief operating officer Joe Ogden, effective June 30. He has served the bank for 41 years and has held the position of president and chief operating officer since 2014. Ogden will remain on the bank’s board of directors, a position he has held since 2010. “We congratulate … Read more
On June 21, San Antonio-based Frost Bank opened its Cypress Crossing financial center, the last of 25 new branches opened since the company announced a regional expansion plan in 2018. Frost Bank operates 154 financial centers across Texas, including 53 in the Houston region. While the current expansion program may be complete, the bank is … Read more
Midland-based FirstCapital Bank of Texas has hired Trey Saldana to serve as Lubbock market president overseeing the bank’s Lubbock market. Originally from Lubbock, Saldana has 17 years of banking experience and specializes in commercial lending and real estate. Additionally, he is actively involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock Home Builders Association and Rotary Club. … Read more
On June 21, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas announced that Meredith Black, first vice president and chief operating officer, will retire at year’s end and a search has been launched for a successor. Black has served in that position since 2016 and has worked for the bank for 38 years in a variety of … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that Wells Fargo Bank National Association, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has established a branch at 5440 El Dorado Blvd. in Houston. The OCC reports that Bank of America National Association, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has applied to establish a branch at 2726 E. Berry St. in Fort Worth. … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Happy State Bank, based in Happy, has completed its acquisition of First National Bank of Tahoka, based in Tahoka.
Home Office The TDB reports that it has approved an application by WestStar Bank, based in El Paso, to relocate its home office from 500 N. Mesa in El Paso to 601 N. Mesa in El Paso. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Austin Bank National Association, based in Jacksonville, … Read more
Athens-based First State Bank recently announced several additions to the company’s board of directors. Lisa Kocian has been appointed to the bank’s board, and Cathy Jezek and Lee Tackett will serve as advisory directors. Lisa (Anderson) Kocian, PharmD, RPh, CDE, is co-owner of Gibson Pharmacy in Athens. She and her husband, Bruce, also a pharmacist, … Read more