TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On June 26, San Antonio-based Frost Bank announced that it will follow up on its successful expansion programs in the Houston and Dallas areas by doubling its number of financial centers in the Austin region by 2026. The company expects the expansion will further strengthen Frost Bank’s position in the Austin region, the third-largest deposit … Read more
On June 9, for the first time in its history, the SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) held its commencement at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The banking industry executives, representing more than 70 financial institutions and regulatory agencies, were members of the 64th class … Read more
Jacqueline Willardson, director of the Texas Department of Banking’s Houston regional office, is retiring after 29 years of service with the agency. Her retirement is effective August 31. She has had the responsibility for reviewing examination reports, monitoring the financial conditions of banks within the region, interacting with bankers and fielding their questions, assisting with … Read more
Lafayette, Louisiana-based Home Bank has named Jeff Dudderar senior vice president and Houston market president, according to the Houston Business Journal. He succeeds Kenny Koncaba as market president. Koncaba was formerly CEO of Friendswood Capital Corp., the holding company of Texan Bank NA. When Home Bancorp, the holding company for Home Bank, acquired Friendswood Capital, … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced the addition of four lenders. Lori Danielson was elected assistant vice president and relationship manager in Longview. She brings 11 years of business development, sales and management experience, most recently serving as area vice president of business development for Gentiva Health Services. She was owner … Read more
On June 15, Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction for its new banking center in Rio Grande City. The event commemorates the bank’s 30th location in Texas and 14th in the Rio Grande Valley region. The branch, located at 4389 E. U.S. Hwy. 83 Loop, is scheduled … Read more
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) has recognized three member financial institutions for their commitment to community investment by naming them 2023 Community Area Revitalization Efforts (CARE) Award recipients. First National Bank Texas, Home Bank and The First Bank were honored recently during FHLB Dallas’ annual member conference. Each member was awarded $7,500 … Read more
On June 14, Houston-based Cadence Bank announced the appointment of Shanna Kuzdzal as chief legal officer. She succeeds Chuck Pignuolo, who has served as the bank’s chief legal officer since 2014. In addition to providing legal counsel to Cadence Bank’s board of directors, executive leadership and senior management, Kuzdzal will lead a team of in-house … Read more
Coral Gables, Florida-based Amerant Bank, one of the nation’s largest community banks, has been named the official bank of Rice University Athletics, underscoring its commitment to the Houston community and its growing presence in the region. The partnership includes prominent branding throughout university athletic venues, special events, online channels and more, as well as the … Read more
On June 2, Galveston-based HomeTown Bank NA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new Galveston/Seawall location at 4424 Seawall Blvd. It was a beautiful day to celebrate by the sea, and the event was filled with laughter, good conversation, refreshments and a special dedication to Jimmy Rasmussen, the bank’s former president and an inductee … Read more