TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
By ACHIM GRIESEL and DR. SEAN PAYANT Core deposits, especially low-cost core deposits, have long been the key driver for franchise value in the financial services industry. That said, with the start of the pandemic and the ensuing influx of cash from stimulus checks and increased personal saving rates, financial institutions saw so much excess … Read more
Houston-based Amegy Bank has opened a loan production office in south Arlington as the bank continues to expand its footprint in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The new loan production office, located at 700 Highlander Blvd., Ste. 350, in Arlington, will be led by Shirley Cox, senior vice president of commercial banking. Cox is an Arlington … Read more
Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust recently announced the promotions of B.J. Donalson, Chelsea Miller and Anna Laughlin. Donalson has been promoted to president of the bank’s Frisco location. He has worked in the financial services industry for more than 17 years. He holds a BBA degree in finance from the Michael F. Price College of … Read more
Editor’s note: Did you know that financial institutions have access to a free resource that allows priority service for phone calls made when communication lines are congested? Bankers Digest and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas asked the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to provide details on the program. Community banks—especially those located in areas … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Pinnacle Bank, based in Fort Worth, has applied to acquire Crockett National Bank, based in San Antonio. Conversions The TDB reports that The First Liberty National Bank, based in Liberty, has applied to convert to a state bank charter under the name First Liberty Bank. Branches The OCC … Read more
Larry W. Walker, director of the Texas Department of Banking’s Dallas regional office, is retiring after 42 years of service. His retirement is effective July 31. Walker joined the Texas Department of Banking in 1980 as an assistant financial examiner in Corpus Christi and was promoted to commissioned examiner in 1983. In 1993, he was … Read more
Paducah, Kentucky-based Computer Services Inc. (CSI), a leading provider of end-to-end fintech and regtech solutions, has partnered with Bankers Helping Bankers to further the organization’s mission of empowering community banks. Established by FedFis and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) in late 2021, Bankers Helping Bankers connects bankers nationwide so that they can identify … Read more
On July 26, Humble-based Third Coast Bancshares Inc., the bank holding company for Third Coast Bank SSB, announced the appointments of Bill Bobbora as executive vice president and chief banking officer, and Andrew Novarini as executive vice president and president of community banking. Bobbora will have oversight of Third Coast Bank’s commercial banking platform, which … Read more
BancorpSouth Bank, a division of Tupelo, Mississippi-based Cadence Bank, and Operation HOPE have partnered to provide a free financial education and counseling program through a new HOPE Inside office in Dallas. The HOPE Inside office is part of the bank’s nearly $1.5 million investment to Operation HOPE for financial literacy programs over the next two … Read more
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced the appointment of L. Frederick “Rick” Francis, executive chairman of El Paso-based WestStar Bank, to the board of directors of the Texas Economic Development Corp. (TxEDC). TxEDC partners with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism to market Texas domestically and globally as the best state for business. … Read more