TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Matt Tower has joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas as an assistant vice president in the Financial Management Shared Services Center, which provides operational accounting services for all 12 Federal Reserve banks. Previously, he managed a shared services organization at Accenture, where he was responsible for accounts payable, expense management and help-desk operations. Prior … Read more
Christopher Williston, president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), announced on May 10 that Abbey Carnes has been hired to serve as associate director of membership. In her new role, she will assist the membership department as the “eyes and ears of IBAT,” connecting with members to drive additional value and … Read more
Dalhart-based Dalhart Federal Savings & Loan Association SSB recently announced the retirement of two longtime bank executives and a new hire to lead the bank. Rodney White is retiring as president and chief executive officer on May 31. He will continue to serve on the bank’s board. White has been a part of Dalhart Federal Savings … Read more
Home Office The TDB reports that WestStar Bank, based in El Paso, has applied to relocate its home office from 500 N. Mesa in El Paso to 601 N. Mesa in El Paso. Branches The OCC reports that Texas Republic Bank National Association, based in Frisco, has established a branch at 1212 S. Preston Rd., … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Happy State Bank, based in Happy, to acquire First National Bank of Tahoka, based in Tahoka. The TDB reports that Peoples Bank, based in Lubbock, has acquired First Bank & Trust, based in Seymour. Branches The OCC reports that Amarillo National Bank, … Read more
S. Scott MacDonald, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) Foundation since 1997, recently announced that he will step down at the end of 2021. He will remain with the foundation through the transition to the next CEO. MacDonald, a nationally recognized authority on bank finance and economics, is the … Read more
Dallas-based Affiliated Bank NA has changed its name to Susser Bank to better reflect its ambitious growth strategy. Since 2018, the bank has operated under the ownership and direction of Susser Banc Holdings Corp., led by fifth-generation Texas entrepreneur Sam L. Susser. While the name change legally went into effect December 31, 2020, Susser Bank … Read more
Denver, Colorado-based FirstSun Capital Bancorp, the holding company of Sunflower Bank NA, and Austin-based Pioneer Bancshares Inc., the holding company of Pioneer Bank SSB, jointly announced on May 11 that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Pioneer Bancshares and Pioneer Bank will merge with and into FirstSun Capital Bancorp and Sunflower … Read more
Yoakum-based Yoakum National Bank has announced the hiring of two new employees. Jamey Collinsworth has been named market president–Yoakum, responsible for lending, daily operations and marketing efforts at Yoakum National Bank’s flagship office. He brings to the position more than 37 years of direct lending, credit and management experience as market president of Norwest Bank/Wells … Read more
Addison-based Liberty Capital Bank has promoted Ryan Friend to president. Friend, who presently serves as senior vice president, will be promoted to president effective June 1. He assumes the responsibilities from his mentor, Robin Wantland, who is retiring following a successful 42-year career in banking, 10 of them with Liberty Capital Bank. “I consider it … Read more