TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Brittani Gunnels has joined the staff of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust as assistant vice president and mortgage loan originator in the bank’s Richardson location. She has worked in the financial services industry for 12 years. Gunnels holds an associate of the arts degree in education from Trinity Valley Community College. Active in her community, … Read more
The board of directors of Cameron-based Classic Bank NA has appointed John D. Minor chief executive officer and chairman of the board. He previously served as president and chief lending officer. Minor is a third-generation banker with more than 30 years of banking experience in Central Texas. Prior to joining Classic Bank, he was senior vice … Read more
Chelsey Reeder was recently named branch manager for Corpus Christi-based American Bank’s Victoria branch, located at 4304 N. Navarro St. The announcement was made by Randy Price, Victoria market leader. “Chelsey’s extensive experience as a banking leader in our community, combined with her commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, will be invaluable assets to our … Read more
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank has announced two new hires. Julian Castillo has joined the bank as first vice president/loan officer. He has been in banking for more than 25 years. He previously was employed by Cendera Bank as a vice president. Castillo holds a BBA degree in international business with an emphasis on Spanish … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has opened a new banking center in San Antonio. With this expansion, the bank now has 29 locations across Texas. The new location expands Texas Regional Bank’s footprint along the I-35 corridor and brings it to Bexar County. Located near 1604 North and Blanco Rd., the bank’s services are tailored to personal … Read more
Catherine Reyer has announced her retirement from the Texas Department of Banking, effective July 31. She has served as general counsel for the department since 2014. As general counsel, she has been responsible for overseeing the legal division and providing advice and counsel to the finance commission, the banking commissioner and other divisions across the … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has tapped Ronnie Powell, CFP, to serve as senior vice president/senior wealth advisor on the bank’s wealth management team in downtown Austin. He has been in wealth management for 28 years and most recently served as Austin region president for Northern Trust and as senior wealth advisor for Wells Fargo Private Bank. In his … Read more
Frisco-based Texas Republic Bank NA recently announced four new hires. Kevin Loudermilk has been hired to serve as senior vice president/compliance/BSA/security. He has more than 20 years of banking experience across—from the mail room as a temp in high school to frontline retail to back-office internal auditing and compliance. Loudermilk earned a BS degree in … Read more
Charters The OCC reports that FundBank NA has applied to establish a bank charter based in Austin. Branches The OCC reports that Amarillo National Bank, based in Amarillo, has applied to establish a branch at 12103 Quaker Ave. in Lubbock. The OCC reports that First Financial Bank NA, based in Abilene, has applied to establish … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that First Bank & Trust, based in Lubbock, has merged with and into HTLF Bank, based in Denver, Colorado. Branches The OCC reports that Wells Fargo Bank NA, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has applied to establish a branch at the northeast corner of Hwy. 290 and Ledgestone … Read more