TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Corpus Christi-based American Bank has hired Marek Labedzki to serve as senior commercial lending officer the bank’s 3737 Buffalo Speedway location in Houston. Making the announcement was Charlie Phillips, Houston market president. Labedzki has worked in senior leadership roles for several mid-sized and large banks, spending the past 15 years serving clients in the Houston … Read more
On June 3, Independent Banker magazine, the monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), announced its seventh annual “40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders” list, recognizing the rising stars transforming community banking through innovation, leadership and service. Several Texas-based bankers were included on the list, which represents a diverse mix of emerging … Read more
On July 1, Tupelo, Mississippi-based Cadence Bank announced the successful completion of its previously announced acquisition of Industry Bancshares Inc., the bank holding company for Industry State Bank, The First National Bank of Bellville, Fayetteville Bank, Citizens State Bank, The First National Bank of Shiner and Bank of Brenham. Cadence Bank hopes to complete operational … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank received dual recognition from the Bee Cave Chamber of Commerce in June. David DeStefano, Bee Cave market president, was named “Businessman of the Year” and the Bee Cave banking center was recognized as “Community Business Partner of the Year.” DeStefano is actively involved in several nonprofit and civic organizations focused on … Read more
On June 5, Houston-based USV Bancorp Inc. announced that it has entered the final phase of its capital raising efforts to establish the first Vietnamese/American minority-owned bank in Houston. USV Bancorp notes that this milestone marks the culmination of a vision more than 50 years in the making. Founded in 2023, USV Bancorp is a … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Rio Bank, based in McAllen, has completed its acquisition of Lone Star Capital Bank NA, based in San Antonio. The TDB reports that Citizens State Bank, based in Ganado, has completed its merger into Yoakum National Bank, based in Yoakum. Branches The OCC reports that JPMorgan Chase Bank … Read more
Houston-based Amegy Bank is opening its newest banking center on the first floor of 300 Convent St. in downtown San Antonio. The branch opening precedes the bank’s Central Texas’ headquarters relocation to the 21st and 22nd floors of the same building. Spanning more than 44,000 square feet, the new office space increases the bank’s market … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) has announced this year’s recipients of its coveted Five*Star Award: Advantage Health Plans Trust (tier 1), IntraFi (tier 2) and SHAZAM (tier 3). These three IBAT associate members—based on company size—will be honored during the association’s 2025 IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference, June 26–28 at the Moody Gardens Hotel … Read more
With the pending acquisition of San Antonio-based Lone Star Capital Bank by McAllen-based Rio Bank, B.W. “Bill” McCandless has announced his retirement. He currently serves as chairman of the board and has been an integral part of Lone Star Capital Bank since 2003. McCandless’ distinguished career in banking spans 57 years. He began his journey … Read more
This spring, Henderson-based VeraBank awarded 35 scholarships totaling $35,000 to local college-bound high school seniors through its annual Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) scholarship program. Since the inception of the program in 2005, the bank has awarded more than $252,000 in scholarships to 401 local high school students who have met the established criteria. To qualify, … Read more