TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On June 4, Caroline Jones, commissioner of the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, announced her retirement, effective August 31. She joined the department in 2008 and was appointed commissioner in 2014. Prior to joining the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, Jones served as in-house counsel for financial institutions for more than 20 years. Her … Read more
On June 8, Atlanta-based Cadence Bank, a subsidiary of Houston-based Cadence Bancorporation, announced a strategic business alliance with Unity National Bank of Houston, the only Black-owned banking institution in Texas and one of two Black minority depository institutions with a national charter. The cooperative alliance brings growth capital to Unity National Bank, strengthening its ability to make … Read more
February was not a good month for the Central Texas community of Mason. In addition to battling the pandemic and an arctic freeze that shut off power and water for days and crippled much of the state, the county courthouse in Mason was destroyed by a fire. Although the Texas Historical Commission had provided some … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that PNC Bank National Association, based in Wilmington, Delaware, has established the following branches: 3311 E. Broad St., Ste. 101, in Mansfield; 3630 W. University Dr. in McKinney; and 4001 Matlock Rd. in Arlington. The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Bank of America National Association, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, to … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that Newfirst National Bank, based in El Campo, has applied to relocate a branch from 609 N. Wells in Edna to 711 N. Wells in Edna. The TDB reports that Frost Bank, based in San Antonio, has established a branch at 2982 Fulton St. in Houston. The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Alliance … Read more
Dallas banking icon George Jones passed away on May 21 at age 77. For most of the past year, he endured challenges caused by an illness—the exceedingly rare Vexas Syndrome—that had developed over the past 20 years. But, according to his obituary, no one ever heard him complain. After earning his BBA degree from the … Read more
On May 26, Birmingham, Alabama-based BBVA USA announced the opening of 11 new branches across five Texas markets, marking a major milestone in an endeavor first announced in June 2020. The branches, which opened in early May, feature updated models aligned with the bank’s vision of integrating both a digital and face-to-face branch banking experience … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank announced in mid-May that it has completed its acquisition Carthage-based Panola National Bank. Panola National Bank has two locations, Carthage and Marshall, and assets totaling more than $130 million. This transaction expands VeraBank’s footprint into Panola County for the first time and increases its presence in East Texas. “Bringing our two organizations together will be … Read more
Las Cruces, New Mexico-based Western Heritage Bank announced that Shannon Molina has been promoted to controller. She began her banking career in 2003 with First American Bank and joined Western Heritage Bank as a teller shortly thereafter. Molina has held positions in both operations and accounting at the bank over the years. She holds several certifications in … Read more
What began in the 1950s as rumblings of a new bank in Houston’s Montrose district grew into an institution with true staying power. This year, that institution has reason to celebrate. Central Bank, Houston’s longest-serving independent bank, is marking its milestone 65th anniversary. L.E. Cowling, owner of Southern States Life Insurance, set the wheels in … Read more