TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Board education and training are essential best practices in the new era of community banking. Regulatory expectations and wise management demand a skill set that many directors lack. The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation (SWGSB) and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) have recognized this and offer the Certified Community Bank Director’s (CCBD) … Read more
Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based Simmons Bank , which operates 23 locations in Texas, announced that Joe DiNicolantonio has been hired to serve as executive vice president/head of consumer and business banking. He will oversee all strategy and development for business and consumer banking initiatives. A veteran banking leader with more than 30 years of experience, DiNicolantonio most … Read more
Anna Laughlin has been promoted to vice president and commercial lender in Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust’s Frisco branch. In addition, Tracy Perry has joined the bank in its Richardson location as vice president and commercial lender and Alex Myers joins the bank as business development officer/treasury management, in its Fort Worth branch. Laughlin joined … Read more
Lee Carter has been promoted to assistant vice president and portfolio manager in Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust’s Forney branch. He served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division from 2009 to 2012, and began his banking career at the conclusion of his enlistment. Carter joined Texas Bank and Trust in 2015 and … Read more
Hot off the success of this summer’s in-person Connecting Leaders Conference in Grapevine, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas is eager to continue its post-Zoom live-and-in-person gatherings with the organization’s annual IBAT Convention, September 18–21 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort in Austin. The newly renovated 4,000-acre resort in the Texas Hill Country will host … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The OCC reports that The First National Bank of Aspermont, based in Aspermont, has acquired a branch from Vista Bank, based in Dallas. The branch is located at 231 S. Central Ave. in Hamlin. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Texas Heritage National Bank, based in Daingerfield, … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Capital Bank of Texas, based in Carrizo Springs, has applied to merge with BAT Investments Inc. in Austin. Home Office Relocation The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Susser Bank to relocate its home office from 500 Harwood in Bedford to 100 Crescent Ct., Ste. … Read more
On July 29, Cuero-based TrustTexas Bank announced the expansion of its footprint into the Hutto market with the opening of a loan production office in the Highlights of Hutto Plaza. The new office at 531 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Suite 110, will be led by Sean Garcia, vice president/loan officer. He is a seasoned banker with … Read more
In July, Independent Banker, the flagship publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), released its “2021 Top Lenders” list. “Our top lenders made the most of one of the toughest years in recent memory through personal connection, ingenuity and dedication to their communities,” ICBA notes in a recent press release. The survey ranks the … Read more
The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) elected new board members during its quarterly board meeting in June. Founded in 1985, the IBAT Leadership Division is dedicated to the development of tomorrow’s leaders in community banking. The 2021–22 executive committee members named to guide the IBAT Leadership Division include: Chair Justin … Read more