TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Larry Allen, area chairman of Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, and Kelly Marsh, regional manager and senior vice president for Cornerstone Home Lending, have jointly announced a promotion of Sonya Garcia to branch manager and senior mortgage loan originator for Peoples Bank Home Loan Center, a division of Cornerstone Home Lending. Garcia has more than 16 years of … Read more
Liberty-based First Liberty Bank has announced the promotion and appointment of officers and supervisory staff for 2026, as approved by its board of directors. Charles Bolds has been promoted to senior vice president and continues to serve as senior mortgage officer. He has nine years of experience at First Liberty Bank. Bolds is actively involved … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) has announced this year’s recipients of its coveted Five*Star Award: IntraFi (tier 1), Ncontracts (tier 2) and Whitley Penn LLP (tier 3). These three IBAT associate members—based on company size—were honored during the association’s 2026 IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference, June 25–27 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that VeraBank NA, based in Henderson, has established a new branch at 14951 Avery Ranch Blvd. in Austin. The TDB reports that it has approved an application by PlainsCapital Bank, based in 3108-05 University Park, to establish a branch at 500 Preston Rd. in Prosper. The TDB reports that Texas Regional … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Texas National Bank, based in Mercedes, to acquire Zapata National Bank, based in Zapata. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by West Texas National Bank, based in Midland, to establish a branch at 305 N. Main St. in … Read more
San Antonio-based Broadway Bank has once again partnered with Caritas of Austin for the third annual “Beat the Heat” donation drive, helping protect individuals experiencing homelessness from extreme summer temperatures. The campaign is being held June 1–15 and invites communities to donate essential items that provide relief during the hottest months of the year. Every donation … Read more
Shirley Mae Wood Hall, 87, passed away peacefully on May 28. A resident of Orange, she was one of the community’s most respected banking professionals for more than four decades. Born in 1938 in San Augustine, Hall moved to Orange with her family when she was only a year old. Hall began her banking career in … Read more
Gulfport, Mississippi-based Hancock Whitney Bank has announced several commercial banking leadership promotions as part of its continued growth strategy across Texas and Louisiana. The appointments underscore the bank’s continued investment in Texas and its strategy to grow alongside the region’s business community. Hancock Whitney currently operates 18 branches in the Lone Star State. Chris Mosteller … Read more
On June 3, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced the appointment of Jill Macias as senior vice president and deputy chief credit officer. She will help oversee the bank’s credit culture, underwriting standards and portfolio risk management to support the bank’s continued growth and long-term success across the Borderplex. Macias brings more than 25 years of … Read more
Dallas-based Susser Bank has appointed Daniel Voigt as senior vice president and relationship manager. He brings nearly two decades of experience serving middle-market companies with financing, capital planning and strategic advice. Based at Susser Bank’s Dallas headquarters at Old Parkland East Campus, Voigt will focus on expanding relationships with privately held businesses and entrepreneurs across … Read more