TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Yoakum-based Yoakum National Bank has announced the hiring of a new lender for its West Houston loan production office, as well as the promotion of a lender in Odessa. Graydon Rochelle has been hired as vice president/commercial lending for the bank’s LPO in West Houston, responsible for generating and supporting both individual and commercial relationships … Read more
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based InterBank has hired Randy Biggs to serve as senior vice president/director of deposit operations. He will oversee the deposit operations’ managers and staff, enhance performance standards and establish goals and objectives for the deposit operations team. Biggs has served in leadership roles in Oklahoma City for more than 14 years, most recently … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently announced that K. Kyle Irwin, president of Gruver-based Western Bank, has been elected chairman of the IBAT board of directors for 2022–23. He officially accepted this position during the association’s 48th annual convention held September 24–27 in Fort Worth. In addition to Irwin, members of the community … Read more
On September 26, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recognized two of the industry’s finest for their service to community banking. The IBAT Chairman’s Award and the IBAT President’s Award were bestowed during the association’s Awards Luncheon, held during IBAT’s 48th Annual Convention in Fort Worth. Curt Nelson, IBAT’s director of membership, received the … Read more
On September 28, Jacksonville-based Austin Bank broke ground on a new full-service banking center in Gilmer at 611 U.S. Hwy. 271 N. The ceremony was attended by the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce, area business leaders, the Austin Bank leadership team and employees, along with associates from the SLI Group of Houston, the new branch’s architect … Read more
Michael Hsu, acting comptroller of the currency, and Dr. Yue (Nina) Chen, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) newly appointed chief climate risk officer, visited Texas in mid-September to meet with OCC-regulated community bank leaders in Lubbock. Among other topics on the agenda, Hsu was focused on better understanding climate risk and its … Read more
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) has re-appointed Texas Department of Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper to serve as the state banking representative on the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC). This is his third consecutive term as the state banking representative. “In today’s dynamic environment, regulatory coordination is critical for a safe and well-functioning financial system. Commissioner Cooper … Read more
Shawn Knox, executive vice president of consumer lending at Lubbock-based FirstBank & Trust, announced the recent promotion of Dena Langehennig to private banker. Langehennig will office at the Midland location at 1111 W. Wall St. She has worked at FirstBank & Trust in Midland for the past 10 years. Since launching her banking career in … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2022 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and three other states convened at Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock for the program. Established in 1973, the school offers a blend of traditional academic coursework and interactive lecture sessions hosted … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that Broadway National Bank, based in San Antonio, has established a branch at 710 Hesters Crossing, Ste. 210, in Round Rock. The TDB reports that Texas Regional Bank, based in Harlingen, has applied to establish a branch at 1001 Congress Ave., Ste. 150, in Austin.