TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Mount Pleasant-based Guaranty Bank & Trust recently announced four promotions: Renee Sparks has been promoted to senior paralegal. She joined the bank in 1997. According to a bank press release, “While she has been functioning at the senior paralegal level for some time now—fielding increasingly complex legal-related questions in her unruffled way—it is great to … Read more
Tupelo, Mississippi-based Cadence Bank has tapped Brad Durham to serve as executive vice president and managing director of its financial institutions group (FIG), which provides correspondent banking services for financial institution clients. Durham brings more than 45 years of experience in commercial banking and most recently served as a senior vice president and correspondent banker … Read more
Durant, Oklahoma-based First United Bank has named Renee Newman chief experience officer and Tadd Tobkin senior vice president/chief technology officer. Newman has more than 25 years of financial services experience spanning community, regional and large financial institutions. Reporting directly to CEO Greg Massey, Newman will drive a consistent customer and employee experience across all channels. … Read more
As reported in September, the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) Foundation will convene its 155th Assembly for Bank Directors next January in Florida. However, due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian to the original venue, the Ritz Carlton, the venue and destination for the assembly has changed to the Eau Palm Beach Resort & … Read more
Dan Flynn, a former Texas state representative for Van Zandt, Hunt and Hopkins counties (District 2), passed away peacefully on October 28. He was 79. In addition to his legislative service, Flynn was a longtime community banker who also served as deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking. He is known for helping to … Read more
Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business (left) presents a “Best Company” trophy to Austin Bank associates Tasha Childress, Julissa Trujillo and Rosie Mireles.The 2022 list of the “Best Companies to Work for in Texas” was released recently and includes a number of Texas banks—one of which placed No. 1 on … Read more
Chance Thornton has joined Jacksonville-based Austin Bank as assistant vice president and relationship manager in the Lufkin office. “Chance is a skilled banker with a strong commitment to the East Texas area,” says Jeff Austin III, chairman. “His experience and leadership will help to serve our Lufkin customers and the Austin Bank team.” With more … Read more
Mike Morgan recently joined The Bank of Austin’s commercial banking team as senior vice president/commercial banking relationship manager. He brings more than 15 years of commercial banking experience in Austin working with a variety of businesses, industries and entrepreneurs. In his new role, Morgan will serve business clients through an array of lending capabilities, treasury … Read more
Abilene-based First Financial Bank completed its 7th annual company-wide Day of Service on Columbus Day, October 10. The bank partnered with nearly 100 local nonprofit and community organizations across the state to provide assistance and perform service projects in each of the communities it serves. With more than 1,000 employees from 78 statewide branches participating … Read more
Tupelo, Mississippi-based Cadence Bank recently expanded its community banking and commercial and industrial (C&I) presence in the Fort Worth market to accommodate its business growth efforts. For nearly a decade, Cadence Bank has established strong roots in the North Texas market. The new office is located near the Fort Worth Stockyards at 111 N.W. 24th St. … Read more