TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Houston’s longest-serving independent bank, Central Bank, announced that it has once again been recognized as one of the region’s premier employers. The bank was named among the Houston Chronicle’s “2025 Top Workplaces,” placing first among mid-sized companies (150–499 employees). Winners were announced during a November 6 awards luncheon, marking Central Bank’s third consecutive Top Workplaces … Read more
Conversions The OCC reports that United Texas Bank, based in Dallas, has applied to convert from a state-chartered bank to a national association under the name United Texas Bank NA. Branches The OCC reports that PNC Bank NA, based in Wilmington, Delaware, has established a branch at 4600 State Hwy. 21, Ste. 100, in Lewisville. … Read more
Arlington-based Worthington Bank has welcomed back Gary Price as its new chief executive officer. He rejoins Worthington Bank after a brief retirement from his role as its market president in Colleyville. Greg Morse, the current CEO, has been promoted to executive chairman of the board. “The Worthington Bank team is happy to welcome Gary Price … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Scott Daniels to serve on its commercial banking team in downtown Austin. He will partner with local businesses to provide customized financing solutions. He has more than 15 years of experience in commercial lending, portfolio management, structured financing, investment advising, asset management and financial planning. Before joining VeraBank, Daniels was senior … Read more
Roger Key, a longtime Lubbock banker and attorney, passed away on November 16. He was 74. Raised in Lubbock as a member of the prominent Key and Maedgen families, he built a legacy of serving the community and his alma mater, the Texas Tech University School of Law. Key was a partner at Key, Terrell … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has announced the appointment of Jim Recer as North Texas president, with oversight of both the community bank and commercial bank. He will work closely with regional presidents Duke York and Dennis Wright. Recer joined Texas Regional Bank in January as executive vice president of lending. Over the past year, he … Read more
Tyler-based Southside Bank has appointed Justin Holt as Fort Worth market president, effective immediately. Bringing more than a decade of experience in banking leadership and commercial lending, he joined the Southside Bank team in 2023 as senior vice president/ commercial relationship manager. Before joining Southside Bank, Holt served in various senior leadership positions at North … Read more
Alex Trlica has been named the new executive director of energy financial services at Tulsa, Oklahoma-based BOK Financial. Since joining the bank in 2017, he’s led key energy portfolios across upstream, midstream and syndicated markets, most recently serving as manager of energy financial services for North Texas. Trlica earned his business degree from Texas Tech … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The OCC and TDB report that Texas National Bank, based in Mercedes, has completed its acquisition of Citizens State Bank, based in Roma. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by T Bank NA, based in Dallas, to establish a branch at 600 Travis St., Ste. 5900, in Houston. … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Prosperity Bank, based in El Campo, to acquire American Bank NA, based in Corpus Christi. The agency also reports that Prosperity Bank has applied to acquire Texas Partners Bank, based in San Antonio. The TDB reports that Comerica Bank, based in Dallas, … Read more