TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Members of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA) are gathering in Dallas, May 20–22, for the organization’s 141st Annual Convention, being held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. With the theme that touts the Lone Star State as the “Land of Opportunity—America’s New Financial Capital,” the group has a full slate of education sessions, featured speakers, … Read more
On May 1, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) announced the re-election of Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper as chair of the FFIEC’s State Liaison Committee (SLC) for a one-year term that runs until April 30, 2027. Cooper has been a member of the SLC and served as its chair since 2023. Cooper … Read more
On May 4, Dallas-based Harmony Bank announced that it has hired Anne Witherspoon to serve as executive vice president and chief operating officer. She brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in banking operations, client experience, treasury services, project and product management, training and development and compliance management. Prior to joining Harmony Bank, Witherspoon was … Read more
Birmingham, Alabama-based Regions Bank announced the appointment of Christina Clemmons to serve as Texas consumer banking executive, a senior leadership role overseeing retail-banking operations across Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Tyler and other Texas markets. She succeeds Michael Pardue, who now serves as retail segment program manager supporting branch operations across Region Bank’s 15-state retail-banking footprint. … Read more
On May 6, Henderson-based VeraBank announced the recipients of its 2026 Scholarship Program, awarding five $2,500 scholarships to exceptional students whose parents are part of the VeraBank family. This year’s scholarship recipients are: Coy Becka, senior at Caldwell High School, Caldwell (son of Melanie Becka); Zachary Leonard, senior at Westlake High School, Austin (son of … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Jeannie Vernetti, CTFA FPQP, to join The Private Bank at PlainsCapital as vice president/ wealth management administrator. She will be based at the bank’s 50th and University location in Lubbock. Vernetti joins PlainsCapital Bank with more than 20 years of experience in trust and wealth management. Most recently, she served … Read more
Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced several promotions at its employee awards dinner held in Longview in March. Jorge Acuna was promoted to vice president/commercial lending officer, lending. He has worked for Texas Bank and Trust for the past eight years in the lending division, previously serving as a credit analyst and portfolio manager before … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Prosperity Bank, based in El Campo, to acquire Stellar Bank, based in Houston. Branches The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Frost Bank, based in San Antonio, to establish a branch at 170 Alliance Blvd., Ste. 100, in Hutto. … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The OCC reports that Texas National Bank, based in Mercedes, has applied to acquire Zapata Bank, based in Zapata. Branches The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Frost Bank, based in San Antonio, to establish a branch at 1415 E. Main St. in Fredericksburg. The OCC reports that West … Read more
San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank has added three new bankers and promoted one. Gabe Longoria has joined Jefferson Bank as executive vice president/chief information officer. He brings more than 20 years of technology leadership in financial services, specializing in digital transformation, infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity. Before joining Jefferson Bank, he served as senior vice president/chief information … Read more