TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank recently announced a series of senior-level leadership promotions across its Dallas, Austin and Lubbock markets. John Owens has transitioned from West Texas region chairman to chairman emeritus. He co-founded PlainsCapital Bank in 1988 and has more than four decades of banking experience in the Lubbock area. He received a BBA degree and … Read more
El Paso-based WestStar Bank has hired Linda Alvarado to serve in its commercial banking group. She brings eight years of commercial banking experience to WestStar. Alvarado has previous experience as a credit analyst, commercial portfolio manager and commercial relationship manager. Throughout her banking tenure, she has managed a variety of complex credit portfolios, monitored and aided … Read more
Eric Swenson, chairman of the board of Spur Security Bank in Spur, retired in March after 52 years serving the bank. He joined the bank in 1969 as a director and became part of active management as a vice president in 1972. During his tenure, he also served as executive vice president and president of … Read more
McKinney-based Independent Financial has named Bill Wade chief digital officer, tapping him to lead the bank’s digital and key technology initiatives. He will lead a team focusing on digital innovation, data assets, data analytics, workflow automation and system integration. Wade has more than 35 years of experience in financial and business consulting technology, including 11 years … Read more
The board of directors of Citizens National Bank at Brownwood has announced the appointment of J.D. Johnson as bank president. John P. Guest, who served as president and chief executive officer, will continue to serve as CEO. Johnson brings more than 12 years of commercial banking experience across several markets in Central Texas. He previously served … Read more
Houston-based Central Bank has hired Mohammad Tariq to serve as executive vice president of commercial lending. A longtime financial professional who has called Houston home for 35 years, Tariq joined the bank in February. In his new role, he helps to oversee commercial lending practices and general operations, and will play a key role in Central … Read more
Amarillo-based FirstBank Southwest recently announced the start of construction for its new bank at 300 W. Kingsmill in Pampa. The 8,000-square-feet facility will include a full-service bank, six drive-through lanes, a 24-hour drive-up ATM and night-deposit drop. The bank plans to open in the spring of 2022. This April, FirstBank Southwest is temporarily relocating its drive-through, … Read more
Austin-based BAT Investments Inc. has reached an agreement to acquire Capital Bank of Texas, headquartered in Carrizo Springs. With branches in Carrizo Springs and Crystal City, as well as a loan production office in Austin, Capital Bank of Texas has assets of approximately $84 million. The bank was established in 2003. The acquisition is expected to … Read more
Irvine, California-based First Foundation Inc., a financial services company with two wholly owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Bank and First Foundation Advisors, announced its expansion into Texas with the relocation of its principal executive office to Dallas. The move to Texas aligns with First Foundation Inc.’s strategic goals of expanding into major markets and with … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Commercial Bank of Texas National Association, based in Nacogdoches, to acquire a branch from Texas Bank and Trust Co., based in Longview. The branch is located at 102 W. Columbia in San Augustine. Branches The OCC reports that The City National Bank of Sulphur Springs, based in … Read more