TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Mikel Williamson, who served as president and CEO of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank until its 2022 merger with Conway, Arkansas-based Centennial Bank, has been named president of St. Louis, Missouri-based First Bank. He will also assume the role of CEO at the end of this year upon the retirement of Shelley Seifert, who has served … Read more
By Achim Griesel and Dr. Sean Payant, Haberfeld Banking, and specifically community banking, is essential to the overall health of our country. By design, it serves as the backbone for our financial system and communities, while playing a crucial role in helping individuals, businesses and governments thrive. In this highly competitive environment, community banks must … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Wells Fargo Bank NA, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to relocate a branch from 1500 Waugh Dr. in Houston to 1404 W. Gray St. in Houston. The TDB reports that it has approved an application by The Security State Bank, based Winters, to establish a … Read more
Charters The TDB reports that Houston Bank of Commerce & Trust, based in Houston, has applied to establish a bank charter with headquarters at 1980 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 1250, in Houston. Branches The OCC reports that PNC Bank NA, based in Wilmington, Delaware, has applied to establish a branch at 300 W. 1st St. … Read more
The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, has announced the 15 recipients of its 2023 Cornerstone and Leader in Financial Education (LiFE) Awards. Each of the banks or bankers selected has demonstrated excellence in community involvement or has promoted financial education in its communities. “These awards celebrate the banks and … Read more
Matt Crable, regional loan president and SBA lending manager at the Pearland branch of Texas City-based Texas First Bank, has been elected chair of the IBAT Leadership Division, a division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). He assumed the role from Cory Flencher, executive vice president at Somerville-based Citizens State Bank during IBAT’s … Read more
Las Cruces, New Mexico-based Western Heritage Bank announced that Bryan Hernandez has been promoted to vice president, commercial lending/underwriting. He will continue to serve the El Paso area. “His hard work with us at Western Heritage Bank has been extremely productive and his advancement within our organization maintains that he is truly an asset to … Read more
First National Bank of Giddings CEO Bill Landiss with IBAT’s Mae Beth Palone showing their respective allegiances in 2014Mae Beth Palone, who led the IBAT Leadership Division for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas for many years, passed away on June 25 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Palone was born in Klamath Falls, … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Michelle Murray to join its Huntsville team as senior vice president and commercial banker. She previously served the bank in its Bryan/College Station market and brings more than 25 years of banking experience across many departments to her new role. A Lovelady native, Murray began working in the financial industry at … Read more
Tenured banking executive Eddie Gammon has joined Corpus Christi-based American Bank as its director of bank operations. Making the announcement was Todd Lee, chief information officer. Gammon will provide leadership to the bank operations team, ensuring that all activities are completed in compliance with applicable laws, regulatory guidelines and bank policies and procedures. He will … Read more