TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Maitland, Florida-based Axiom Bank NA has expanded its team with the hiring of John Wattinger as senior account executive in the bank’s factoring and asset-based lending division in Dallas. Axiom Bank launched its factoring and asset-based lending division in 2018 when the bank acquired Allied Affiliated Funding. The bank expanded into the Northeast region of … Read more
In early August, Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced the opening of its new Flower Mound branch. Full-service banking at the new facility, located at 737 International Pkwy., Ste. 150, will begin on August 16. Jeremiah Hansen (pictured above) will lead the team as Flower Mound market president. Joining him in the new branch will … Read more
The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA), has announced the 14 recipients of its 2021 Emerging Leader Awards. Each banker was chosen for his/her outstanding qualities by the president, CEO or chair of a TBA-member banking institution. Launched in 2019 by the Texas Bankers Foundation in collaboration with the Bank … Read more
J. Terry Smith has joined Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based InterBank as Dallas/Fort Worth regional president. He will be responsible for leading the bank’s organic growth strategy in the metroplex. Smith will office out of InterBank’s Camp Bowie/Fort Worth location. Smith has served in executive leadership roles in community banks in both Dallas and Tarrant counties for … Read more
McKinney, based Independent Financial announced that Brett Walker has joined as senior vice president/relationship manager for commercial real estate for the Dallas/Fort Worth market. He will be responsible for originating, managing and monitoring a commercial loan and deposit portfolio for clients in all sectors of the real estate industry, including multi-family, industrial, retail, office, hospitality, … Read more
Frisco-based Texas Republic Bank is celebrating 130 years in business and 10 years under the ownership of TXRB Holdings Inc. by opening a branch in Celina. Established in 1891, it is the only bank headquartered in Frisco and the oldest bank charter headquartered in Collin County. In 2011, Texas Republic Bank was acquired by an … Read more
Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has announced that Tyler Pope and Ben Trahan have joined the company’s North Texas commercial banking team. Both will maintain offices in North Dallas and serve commercial banking clients throughout the Origin Bank’s North Texas region. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Tyler Pope and Ben Trahan to Origin Bank,” … Read more
Stephen Lee, chairman, president and CEO of the Southeast region at Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA was recently appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas State University System Board of Regents. He will serve in that role until February 2027. “Stephen’s excellent leadership over our Southeast Texas region is transcended only by his … Read more
Board education and training are essential best practices in the new era of community banking. Regulatory expectations and wise management demand a skill set that many directors lack. The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation (SWGSB) and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) have recognized this and offer the Certified Community Bank Director’s (CCBD) … Read more
Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based Simmons Bank , which operates 23 locations in Texas, announced that Joe DiNicolantonio has been hired to serve as executive vice president/head of consumer and business banking. He will oversee all strategy and development for business and consumer banking initiatives. A veteran banking leader with more than 30 years of experience, DiNicolantonio most … Read more