TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Chad D. Stary, president and CEO of the First State Bank of Uvalde, recently announced that the bank has hired Mallory Taylor to serve as chief financial officer and executive vice president. She will oversee financial strategy, the accounting department and asset/liability management. Taylor joins First State Bank of Uvalde with 15 years of financial … Read more
On February 19, Henderson-based VeraBank announced that it will be opening a new location in Brenham this summer. The new full-service branch, located at 2690 Becker Dr., will be VeraBank’s first in Washington County and fourth in Southeast Texas. “We’re eager to expand our reach and plant roots in Brenham,” says Brad Tidwell, CEO. “We … Read more
Frisco-based Texas Republic Bank announced two new hires in March. Ellen Dunn has joined the bank as branch operations supervisor in Richardson. She has more than 16 years of operations and retail banking experience. Blake Foster has joined Texas Republic Bank as senior vice president/commercial lending officer. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from … Read more
J. Pat Hickman, former chairman, president and CEO at Happy-based Happy State Bank, passed away on March 1. He was 72. In 1970, Hickman first enrolled at Texas Tech University, but he spent most of his time with his brothers in Phi Delta Theta rather than in the classroom. He resumed his higher education at … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The OCC reports that Yoakum National Bank, based in Yoakum, has applied to acquire Citizens State Bank, based in Ganado. The TDB reports that First Liberty Bank, based in Liberty, has completed its acquisitions of Pearland State Bank, based in Pearland, and First National Bank of Alvin, based in Alvin. Branches The … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that The Chasewood Bank, based in Houston, has merged into Austin Bank NA and its parent company, Austin Bancorp Inc., based in Jacksonville. The TDB reports that it has approved an application by First United Bank, based in Dimmitt, to acquire the following branches of Vista Bank, based in … Read more
Tupelo, Mississippi-based Cadence Bank has promoted Amber Owen to Northeast Texas division president, a newly realigned division with eight branches covering Texarkana, Longview and Tyler. Owen has been with Cadence Bankand its predecessor banks for more than 25 years, rising through the ranks while gaining expertise in commercial lending and private banking, as well as … Read more
Dallas-based Sunflower Bank has hired Bo Scott to serve as executive vice president and chief banking officer. Based at the bank’s headquarters in Dallas, he will and oversee the strategy, management and growth of the bank’s middle-market efforts in all regional markets. “Bo will partner with our regional business leaders and Brian Walsh, our chief … Read more
Woodville-based Citizens State Bank recently announced the promotion of Will Brooks to senior vice president. He currently serves as a commercial lender in the bank’s newest location at Valley Ranch. With more than a decade of experience in the banking sector, his skills developing customized solutions for businesses across various sizes and industries have established … Read more
Paul Davidson has joined San Antonio-based Texas Partners Bank to serve as chief banking officer. With more than 40 years of experience in the banking industry, he specializes in developing and implementing sales and growth strategies that create transformative opportunities. Prior to joining Texas Partners Bank, Davidson was regional chair and Houston market president at … Read more