TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On January 30, Vista Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Dallas-based Vista Bank, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Charis Holdings Inc. and its subsidiary, Justin-based Charis Bank. The transaction will expand Vista Bank’s footprint and lending ability. With the acquisition, Vista will acquire Charis Bank’s North Texas locations and … Read more
Ozona Bank has announced several promotions in the new year. Raul Pina has been promoted to vice president/credit analyst II and offices out of Ozona Bank’s San Antonio branch. He has been with the bank since 2020. Pina has 22 years of banking experience, with 14 years focused on commercial credit. Stacy Guzman (no photograph … Read more
Bankers Helping Bankers, an online platform that promotes innovation among community banks, has named Discover Financial Services’ PULSE debit network its exclusive debit partner. The agreement builds upon PULSE’s longstanding support of community banks and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), which co-founded Bankers Helping Bankers in partnership with FedFis. As the exclusive debit … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced two promotions approved at the January 2023 board of directors meeting. Julisa Trujillo has been elected to serve as assistant vice president. A member of the human resources department, she joined Austin Bank in 2017, bringing with her several years of recruiting experience from a … Read more
On January 19, The State National Bank of Groom and its parent holding company, Groom Bancshares Inc., announced an acquisition agreement with 5th Generation Holdings Inc., a community-bank-focused entity formed for purposes of the transaction. As a result of the acquisition, 5th Generation Holdings will become a bank holding company for The State National Bank … Read more
On January 24, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) announced the appointment of David Long to its Affordable Housing Advisory Council and the reappointment of four current Advisory Council members. Long’s three-year term began on January 1 and will expire on December 31, 2025. Long brings more than 25 years of affordable … Read more
On January 23, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced the executive vice president promotions of Lee Rodriguez, chief human resource officer; Jerry Harris, chief credit officer; and Orlando Hernandez, chief information officer. Rodriguez has served as chief human resource officer with WestStar Bank for almost 20 years. She manages all aspects of human resources, as well … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Phillip Shawn to serve on its wealth management team as assistant vice president/specialty asset manager. He will office at the bank’s Henderson wealth management location. Prior to joining VeraBank, Shawn spent six years managing more than 40,000 net mineral acres in the Permian Basin for a family-owned company in Dallas. “It’s … Read more
Steve Stapp, president and CEO of Round Rock-based R Bank , recently announced two promotions—one in Austin and one in Round Rock. Garrett Morgan has been promoted to senior vice president/Austin banking center president. A veteran banker with more than 15 years of experience, he joined R Bank in 2017 as senior vice president/commercial lender. … Read more
Las Cruces, New Mexico-based Western Heritage Bank has promoted Nathan Rivera to assistant vice president/credit underwriting. “Nathan has been an asset to our team for several years and we are pleased to promote him to this new role,” says Greg Cory, president and CEO. “We are grateful to have him as part of our banking … Read more