TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Houston-based Zelus Automation Platform, an innovator in account-opening software for regional and community banks, recently announced the appointment of Russell Bond as its new chief executive officer. He has served at some of the most prominent names in the industry, including Hewlett-Packard, Diebold Nixdorf, Wex Inc. and Fiserv. Bond has more than 30 years of … Read more
Laurel Ann (Sissy) Phillips Austin, chief lending officer, investment officer and member of the board of directors at Jacksonville-based Austin Bank and its parent company, Austin Bancorp Inc., passed away on August 29 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 83. Austin grew up in Jacksonville, graduated as valedictorian from the Jacksonville High … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Wells Fargo Bank NA, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to establish a branch at the southwest corner of Hwy. 423 and Hwy. 380 in Frisco. The agency also reports that it has approved an application by Wells Fargo Bank to relocate a branch … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, based in Columbus, Ohio, has established a branch at 3910 W. State Hwy. 31 W in Corsicana. The OCC reports that Home Bank NA, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, has applied to establish a branch at 110 Vintage Park Blvd., Ste. 100, in Houston. The OCC reports … Read more
Name Changes The TDB reports that First State Bank, based in Abilene, has changed its name to Avana Bank. Home Offices The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Susser Bank, based in Dallas, to relocate its home office from 100 Crescent Ct., Ste. 575, in Dallas to 4010 Maple Ave., Ste. 150A, … Read more
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Valliance Bank has promoted Matt Clouse to chief lending officer. He will also continue to serve as Norman president. Valliance Bank has Texas branches in Fort Worth and McKinney. “Matt has been with Valliance since it was chartered in 2004 and has played an integral and important role in our growth as … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank recently hired Malia Kamahoahoa to serve on its commercial banking team as a commercial banker/assistant vice president at the Athens branch. She joins VeraBank with her nearly 15 years of commercial banking experience. “Malia’s talent and enthusiasm, paired with her commitment to delivering extraordinary client experiences, align perfectly with the personable genuine service … Read more
In partnership with the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, La Grange-based National Bank & Trust celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch in Corpus Christi with a ribbon cutting, followed by a festive reception. Chartered in 1888, National Bank & Trust is a full-service bank that has been a major contributor to the … Read more
On August 13, Matthew Knies, North Texas market president for Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, announced the addition of Reggie Love to the team. He will serve as branch president and commercial lender at the bank’s Princeton location. Love has been in banking for 22 years serving in many capacities. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Centenary College … Read more
Lee Herron, Mike Monroe and Mark Piland have joined Brownwood-based TexasBank as senior vice presidents in commercial lending, advancing the bank’s growing presence in construction lending across Dallas/Fort Worth and all North Texas. “These guys are truly the cream of the crop when it comes to DFW construction lending,” says Lin Bearden, chief lending officer. “They … Read more