TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On June 9, Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based Simmons Bank announced that Jim Recer has joined the bank as executive vice president/commercial regional executive. He will lead the bank’s commercial and industrial banking strategy across Texas, Nashville, Kansas City and St. Louis, with a focus on expanding the bank’s middle-market commercial business and strengthening its presence in … Read more
Joey Myers has rejoined Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank to serve as senior vice president/senior relationship manager. He is based at the bank’s location at The Star in Frisco. Myers brings more than 19 years of banking experience, with a strong background in commercial lending and portfolio management in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. He previously served as … Read more
The Liberty-based The First Liberty Bank board of directors has elected Robert Messer to the board. He brings more than four decades of financial and executive leadership experience, having served as senior executive vice president/chief financial officer of the American National Bank of Texas prior to his retirement. At American National Bank, he was responsible … Read more
Coleman-based Coleman County State Bank has opened its new full-service San Angelo branch located at 3525 S. FM 2288. Through its former loan production office in the market, the bank has steadily built relationships throughout the community and expanded its team. “We saw tremendous opportunity in San Angelo from the very beginning,” says Reave Scott, president … Read more
The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) recently announced the elected board of directors for its 2026–27 fiscal year. The officers’ terms run from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. William Lucas, Shelby Savings Bank SSB in Center, has been named TBA chairman. The new vice chair is Michael Neill, First State Bank in Athens. Micah … Read more
Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has announced six new hires and six promotions across its North and East Texas markets. The new hires include: Charlie Bogan, regional executive vice president/private banking relationship manager at the bank’s Preston Financial Center in Dallas. He has more than 20 years of experience in banking, specializing in private banking, credit … Read more
On May 28, Dallas-based United Texas Bank announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has approved its conversion to a nationally chartered bank, making it one of the few financial institutions to convert since the passage of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010. The Federal Reserve … Read more
On May 27, Arlington-based Worthington Bank announced the addition of Keller Harbuck as vice president of commercial banking at the bank’s Main Street office in Fort Worth. He began his career in multifamily lending, financing new construction projects before transitioning into private wealth management. He excels in structuring lending solutions and developing strategic partnerships with … Read more
On May 5, the Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, announced the 15 recipients of its 2026 Cornerstone and Leader in Financial Education (LiFE) Awards. These honors recognize work that goes above and beyond in its commitment to community engagement and financial education across Texas. “These awards celebrate the banks … Read more
On May 29, Toronto-based Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dallas-based Maple Financial Holdings Inc., parent company of MapleMark Bank. MapleMark Bank has offices in Dallas and Tulsa, Oklahoma. MapleMark Bank reported assets just over $1 billion and $826 million in deposits as of March, … Read more