TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Citizens National Bank at Brownwood announced that J.D. Johnson, currently serving as president, has been named chief executive officer. He will continue in his role as president as well. The announcement was made by Calvin Fryar, chairman of the board. Johnson brings more than 15 years of commercial banking experience across several markets in Central … Read more
Longtime banker and community banking advocate Gary Dean Edmiston, 84, of Odessa passed away on April 26. Edmiston played tennis while attending North Texas State University. Upon graduating, he also found immense joy in his career as a banker in West Texas, becoming president of Security State Bank in 1979 and later being named chief … Read more
Lubbock-based City Bank has announced the hiring of Liz Gatlin to serve as senior vice president/commercial lender. She joins the City Bank team with more than 16 years of experience in community banking. Her expertise in lending and involvement in the El Paso community has helped her succeed at every level of banking. A graduate … Read more
On April 25, Business First Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based b1Bank, announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Oakwood Bancshares Inc. and its subsidiary, Dallas-based Oakwood Bank, in an all-stock transaction for total consideration value of approximately $85.7 million based on the company’s closing price of $21.57 per … Read more
On April 24, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced that Abilene-based First Financial Bank National Association has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a national banking association. The bank began operating under its new charter as First Financial Bank on April 23. In 1889, First Financial Bank was originally chartered as … Read more
In April, Midland-based Community National Bank announced several new officers and officer promotions. Cheryl Bingham has been promoted to senior vice president/bank operations. She has been in banking for 37 years with 27 of those years at Community National Bank. She held numerous positions at the bank over the years prior to her recent promotion … Read more
Branches The OCC reports that Bank of Brenham NA, based in Brenham, has established a branch at 869 N. Earl Rudder Fwy. in Bryan. The OCC reports that it has approved an application by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, based in Columbus, Ohio, to establish a branch at the northeast corner of Gattis School Rd. and … Read more
Conversions The TDB reports that it has approved an application by First Financial Bank and its holding company, First Financial Trust & Asset Management Co., both based in Abilene, to convert from a national banking association to a state-chartered bank. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by National Bank & Trust, … Read more
On April 18, Galveston-based Moody Bank announced two appointments to its board of directors. As the president of Island Famous Inc., Dennis Byrd oversees the operations of a thriving hospitality company with its roots tracing back to The Spot. Under his leadership, Island Famous has established a notable presence in Galveston, League City and Houston, … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has appointed Hudson Marshall executive vice president of commercial banking. He will be responsible for leading and overseeing the business development, risk management and relationship growth of mid- and large-cap commercial, industrial, governmental, institutional and nonprofit organizations throughout Texas. He will also be accountable for identifying treasury management, depository, international, capital … Read more