TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On January 3, Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced the acquisition of ACG Equipment Finance (ACG), a fully integrated direct equipment financing company headquartered in Austin. “Our acquisition of ACG Equipment Finance is consistent with our long-term strategic plan,” says Stephen Raffaele, CEO and president of American Bank. “Bringing our companies together accelerates our growth strategy, … Read more
On January 4, San Antonio-based Texas Partners Bank announced a partnership with Legacy Mutual Mortgage. The acquisition of the partnership interests of Legacy Mutual Mortgage provides Texas Partners Bank—whose members include The Bank of San Antonio, The Bank of Austin and Texas Hill Country Bank—with a comprehensive mortgage platform broadening the bank’s reach and depth of … Read more
Tulsa, Oklahoma-based BOK Financial Corp., the parent company of Bank of Texas, announced that Steven G. Bradshaw retired as CEO and president at the end of 2021. Stacy Kymes, chief operating officer, who was previously announced as the incoming president and CEO, assumed the company’s leadership role on January 1, 2022. “It has been an … Read more
Larry Allen, CEO and chairman of the board at Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, announced the following promotions at the end of 2021. “These promotions reflect the outstanding staff we have at Peoples Bank,” Allen says. “Each one of these individuals goes above and beyond and we are fortunate to have them on our team.” Dawn Ambrose … Read more
Charles G. Cooper, commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking, announced that Crowley-based Texas Exchange Bank SSB has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a state savings bank. The bank began operating as Texas Exchange Bank under its new charter effective January 1, 2022. Texas Exchange Bank SSB was originally chartered in 1970 … Read more
Moulton-based SouthStar Bank recently announced several promotions. Larry D. Weisinger was promoted to branch executive at the bank’s Bee Cave location. With nearly two decades in banking, he previously served as senior vice president of lending. He will continue specializing in mortgage loans, including traditional home loans, portfolio loans and construction financing. Weisinger is a … Read more
The board of directors of Sweetwater-based Texas National Bank announced changes in the bank’s executive management following its December meeting. Mike Fernandez was named president and chief executive officer of the bank effective December 31, 2021. Former CEO Bill Johnson is moving to the bank’s holding company, Mesa Financial Corp. Johnson will remain board chairman … Read more
Kingsville-based Kleberg Bank is featured in the latest issue of The Islander magazine for its robust internship program. The Islander, published by Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMU–CC), touts the community bank for helping cultivate “a vibrant South Texas workforce by connecting students and employers through internships and, ultimately, permanent employment. TAMU-CC’s Career and Professional Development … Read more
Conversion The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Texas Exchange Bank, based in Crowley, to convert to a state-chartered bank under the name Texas Exchange Bank SSB. Branches The OCC reports that JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association, based in Columbus, Ohio, has established a branch at 2475 Bay Area Blvd., Bldg. A, … Read more
Texas City-based Texas First Bank has announced plans to open a new full-service banking center in Beaumont in January 2022. The location—at 6363 Phelan Blvd., just east of Dowlen Rd.—will be the 27th banking center in the family-owned and operated Texas First Bank network. The Beaumont team will include Michelle Bowen, banking center manager (transferring … Read more