TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On May 22, Jacksonville-based Austin Bank and the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the bank’s two new full-service banking centers in Houston and Spring. The event was well attended by both chambers and business leaders, as well as the Austin Bank leadership team and employees. The … Read more
Rusty Rust, president and CEO of Nacogdoches-based Commercial Bank of Texas, recently announced the promotion of John Thannisch to head of wealth management and trust in support of the bank’s vision to be the premier community-focused financial services organization. He will serve all 22 of the Commercial Bank of Texas branches. Thannisch has more than … Read more
Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust has hired Marley Elliott as a vice president and trust administrator for the Wichita Falls market. With a background in real estate law and estate planning/administration, she brings valuable expertise and a client-focused approach that make her a strong addition to the bank’s trust and wealth department. “As … Read more
On March 18, multiple promotions were announced at Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust’s employee awards dinner. Cascey Freeman has been promoted to vice president/branch manager in Overton. Employed with the bank since 2014, she has managed the bank’s Overton branch since 2023, having previously served as both a consumer lender and lending assistant. A graduate … Read more
On May 19, San Antonio-based Frost Bank reached a milestone—its 200th financial center in Texas—when the bank’s Pflugerville branch opened for business. The bank will celebrate the new location on an upcoming date. A 157-year-old bank with deep Texas roots, Frost Bank has been expanding in its Austin, Dallas and Houston regions. Pflugerville is the … Read more
On April 28, the board of directors of Odessa-based SouthWest Bank announced the promotion of Isaiah Navarrete from advisory director to full board member. Based in Odessa, Navarrete is an entrepreneur and business leader with a diverse background spanning lending, oil and gas, finance and construction. He is the owner of Cobra Coating, a partner … Read more
Brownwood-based TexasBank has hired Jeanine Werberig to serve as Tarrant County retail market manager. With more than 35 years of banking experience and 18-plus years in leadership roles, she brings a blend of expertise, strategic vision and community-minded energy to her new role. Werberig’s background includes senior leadership roles at Happy State Bank, Affiliated Bank … Read more
On May 5, Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston announced a $200,000 gift from the Moody Foundation in support of the Future Bankers Leadership Program (FBLP) at the Jesse H. Jones School of Business. This contribution further strengthens the program’s mission to prepare students for careers in the financial services industry through academic training, mentorship … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Rio Bank, based in McAllen, has applied to acquire Lone Star Capital Bank NA, based in San Antonio. Conversions The TDB reports that Cendera Bank NA, based in Bells, has applied to convert from a national association to a Texas state-chartered bank under the name Cendera Bank. Branches … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that First National Bank Texas, based in Killeen, has established a branch at 7700 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas. The agency also reports that First National Bank Texas has applied to establish a branch at 6100 W. Fuqua St. in Houston. The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Lone … Read more