TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
In late June, Dallas-based Comerica Bank announced that Stephen Jeffrey has been named senior vice president/Austin market president. He will lead market strategy, collaboration, community development and overall growth, as well as direct the region’s commercial team as group manager of business banking and middle market. “What sets Stephen apart is not just his expertise … Read more
Nacogdoches-based Commercial Bank of Texas has named Austin Williams vice president of commercial lending and business development for Jefferson County. Williams has more than 25 years of leadership experience in business development, commercial lending and community engagement across Southeast Texas. He is a graduate of the Commercial Lending Program at Southern Methodist University, holds a … Read more
Little Rock, Arkansas-based Bank OZK is ramping up its presence in Texas, recently unveiling new branch locations across major metro areas. According to the Arkansas Business Journal, Bank OZK is accelerating its footprint in Texas and Georgia, announcing plans for new branch openings in both states as part of its broader growth strategy. Earlier this … Read more
On August 15, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced the appointment of two deputy commissioners, Jared A. Whitson and Jesus “Jesse” Saucillo, to the Texas Department of Banking. These structural changes also include the elevation of Deputy Commissioner Wendy Rodriguez to executive deputy commissioner. Whitson has served the department for more than 21 years, … Read more
The July 4 and 5 flash floods across Central Texas—particularly along the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country—resulted in more than 135 deaths, a handful of people still missing and catastrophic financial impacts in the multi-billion-dollar range, with some estimates between $18 and $22 billion. Texas banks rallied immediately to help in the aftermath of the … Read more
Beaumont-based Producer Bancorp, the holding company for Powell-based Powell State Bank, has announced that the bank will officially become Producer Bank of Texas on August 25. As reported in Bankers Digest in January, Producer Bancorp announced its official status as a bank holding company with the closing of its acquisition of Powell State Bank. According … Read more
Branches The TDB reports that The First State Bank, based in Louise, has applied to establish a branch at 803 N. Ave. E in Shiner. The TDB reports that Harmony Bank, based in Dallas, has applied to relocate a branch from 1600 S. Ervay St. in Dallas to 1900 S. Ervay St. in Dallas.
Name Changes The TDB reports that Powell State Bank, based in Powell, has changed its name to Producer Bank of Texas. Branches The OCC reports that JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, based in Columbus, Ohio, has established a branch at 4303 S. Clack St. in Abilene. The OCC reports that First National Bank Texas, based in … Read more
Brandon Q. Jones, senior vice president/director of external affairs at Dallas-based Comerica Bank, has been named chair of the UNCF’s 2025 North Texas Walk for Education to help raise funds for underserved students across North Texas who are trying to get to and through college. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is one of the … Read more
Dan Elmer has joined Omaha, Nebraska-based Security National Bank of Texas as senior vice president/Texas director of credit administration. His office is located at The Union, 2300 N. Field St. in Dallas. Elmer brings more than 15 years of experience in commercial, corporate and community banking to his new role, with expertise in credit, portfolio … Read more