TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On April 28, the board of directors of Odessa-based SouthWest Bank announced the promotion of Isaiah Navarrete from advisory director to full board member. Based in Odessa, Navarrete is an entrepreneur and business leader with a diverse background spanning lending, oil and gas, finance and construction. He is the owner of Cobra Coating, a partner … Read more
Brownwood-based TexasBank has hired Jeanine Werberig to serve as Tarrant County retail market manager. With more than 35 years of banking experience and 18-plus years in leadership roles, she brings a blend of expertise, strategic vision and community-minded energy to her new role. Werberig’s background includes senior leadership roles at Happy State Bank, Affiliated Bank … Read more
On May 5, Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston announced a $200,000 gift from the Moody Foundation in support of the Future Bankers Leadership Program (FBLP) at the Jesse H. Jones School of Business. This contribution further strengthens the program’s mission to prepare students for careers in the financial services industry through academic training, mentorship … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Rio Bank, based in McAllen, has applied to acquire Lone Star Capital Bank NA, based in San Antonio. Conversions The TDB reports that Cendera Bank NA, based in Bells, has applied to convert from a national association to a Texas state-chartered bank under the name Cendera Bank. Branches … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that First National Bank Texas, based in Killeen, has established a branch at 7700 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas. The agency also reports that First National Bank Texas has applied to establish a branch at 6100 W. Fuqua St. in Houston. The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Lone … Read more
On May 13, Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust announced the hiring of Quinton Crenshaw III as mortgage community outreach officer. With a background in real estate, he has built a career partnering with leading brokerages and representing clients in their real estate-related transactions and investment opportunities. “With his trusted and passionate career in … Read more
The Texas Bankers Hall of Fame on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville held its Annual Gala on May 1. Five iconic bankers—Sam H. Burris Jr., Charles G. Cooper, Harvey P. Hartenstine, Robert W. “Bobby” Hoxworth and William A. Nesbitt—were inducted. Established by the Smith-Hutson Endowed Chair of Banking at Sam Houston State University, the Texas Bankers … Read more
Henry Newton has joined Little Rock, Arkansas-based Bank OZK as director/fund finance in the corporate and institutional banking group in Houston. With more than a decade of experience in investment banking, he is responsible for originating, structuring and executing financing for clients, including fund managers, institutional investors and sponsors. Newton worked at Truist Securities in … Read more
On May 5, Houston-based Gulf Capital Bank announced that it has established a new small-business lending group with veteran banker Saman Noorani and underwriter Sebastian Aguirre. Saman has more than 20 years of experience in SBA loan origination, underwriting, closing and secondary market sales. Prior to joining Gulf Capital Bank, she was senior vice president … Read more
Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced the appointment of Steven P. Lufburrow to its Houston regional board. He is the recently retired president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston and former executive director of the Goodwill Industries of Houston Foundation. Under his leadership of more than 38 years, Goodwill Houston experienced unprecedented growth, becoming one of … Read more