TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
On April 30, Ernst & Young LLP announced that John D. Steinmetz, president and CEO of Dallas-based Vista Bank was named a 2024 “Southwest Entrepreneur of the Year Award” finalist. Now in its 38th year, “‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ is the award for audacious leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize sectors and have a transformational impact … Read more
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) has made available $99.4 million in grants this year through its Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and AHP homeownership initiatives. Of the total funding, $79.4 million was allocated to the AHP General Fund, which provides grants to assist FHLB Dallas members in financing the purchase, construction and … Read more
Suwanee, Georgia-based Eclipse Brand Builders has hired Jeff Oliver to spearhead business development and account management efforts for the company in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oliver has excelled in a range of managerial and entrepreneurial roles across a variety of companies, mostly within the energy sector. “His proficiency for business development … Read more
More than 100 Coryell County citizens braved the stormy weather in May to celebrate the opening of Waco-based The First National Bank of Central Texas’ new Gatesville banking center. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and much-needed support for local nonprofit organizations. At the opening, Will Coward, Gatesville banking center president, presented $10,000 donations to … Read more
San Angelo-based Texas Bank announced two promotions in April. Cindy Ringer has been promoted from senior vice president/cashier to executive vice president/cashier at the bank’s main branch. She recently celebrated her 25th year with Texas Bank. She joined the bank as a branch manager in 1998, was promoted to vice president in 2014, then to … Read more
San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank has hired two new bankers to serve as senior vice presidents—one in the bank’s Austin branch and the other in San Antonio. Spence Maier has been hired as senior vice president/commercial lending officer in Austin. With a focus on small to middle-market commercial companies, he develops loan and deposit business in … Read more
In May, Independent Banker, the flagship publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), published its annual list of the “Best-performing Banks 2024,” which includes 10 banks based in Texas. According to a press release from Independent Banker, “These community banks hit their stride in 2024, and they intend to keep the momentum going … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that First National Bank Texas, based in Killeen, has established a branch at 1015 Hwy. 80 in San Marcos. The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Woodforest National Bank, based in The Woodlands, to establish a branch in the HEB at 3601 FM 1488 in The Woodlands. The … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by First National Bank Texas, based in Killeen, to establish a branch at 4101 W. Wheatland Rd. in Dallas. The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Investar Bank NA, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to establish a branch at 2657 S. Loop … Read more
Conversions The TDB reports that First Financial Bank, based in Abilene, has converted from a national association to a Texas state-chartered bank. Branches The OCC reports that Home Bank NA, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, has established a branch at 5940 Fairmont Pkwy. in Pasadena. The OCC reports that Extraco Banks NA, based in Temple, has … Read more