SW Graduate School of Banking Taps GardaWorld Security Founder as Summer Graduate School Keynote

The SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University (SWGSB) has announced that Stephan Crétier, GardaWorld Security founder, president and CEO, will be the keynote speaker for SWGSB’s 2026 summer graduate school session, May 26–June 5. Crétier founded GardaWorld in 1995 with an initial investment of $25,000, secured through a second mortgage on his … Read more

Wellington State Bank Celebrates 120 Years of Service at 35th Annual Stockholders Meeting

Wellington-based Wellington State Bank recently held the 35th annual stockholders meeting of its current ownership group, commemorating a significant milestone as the bank celebrates its 120th anniversary. Established in 1906, Wellington State Bank is recognized as the second-oldest state-chartered bank in Texas. In celebration of the bank’s 120th anniversary, stockholders received commemorative gifts, including cedar … Read more

First Community Bank in Corpus Christi to Acquire First National Bank in Port Lavaca  

Coastal Bend Bancshares, the holding company for Corpus Christi-based First Community Bank, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Port Lavaca-based First National Bank. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026. “Our roots along the Texas Gulf Coast run deep at First Community Bank,” notes Wes Hoskins, First Community … Read more

Louisiana’s Home Bank Opens New Full-Service Banking Center in Tomball

On March 16, Lafayette, Louisiana-based Home Bank opened its newest full-service banking center in Tomball. Located at 27702 Tomball Pkwy., the new branch marks Home Bank’s sixth location in the Greater Houston area, joining existing centers in River Oaks, Sugar Land, Friendswood, Webster and Pasadena. Following a six-month renovation, the existing building has been transformed into a … Read more

Yoakum National Bank Converts to a State-Chartered Bank

On March 30, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced that Yoakum-based Yoakum National Bank has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a national banking association. Under its new charter, the bank will begin operating as Yoakum Bank. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Yoakum National Bancshares Inc., was originally chartered … Read more

Susser Bank’s Parent Company Redomiciles from Maryland to Texas

Susser Banc Holdings Corp., the parent company of Dallas-based Susser Bank, announced that it has redomiciled from Maryland to Texas. The move formally aligns the company’s corporate governance with its Texas-based banking franchise, client base and long-term growth strategy. The redomicile does not change the company’s leadership, strategy or daily operations. “Our family began doing … Read more

SW Graduate School of Banking to Welcome More Than 150 Bankers to Commercial Lending School

The SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University (SWGSB), in partnership with the Texas Bankers Association (TBA), will welcome more than 150 community bankers to the 2026 session of its Commercial Lending School, held April 26–May 1 on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Now in its second year, the Commercial Lending School continues … Read more

Louisiana’s First Guaranty Bank to Exit Texas, Sell Five Branches to Oklahoma-based Armstrong Bank

First Guaranty Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Hammond, Louisiana-based First Guaranty Bank, has entered into a purchase and assumption agreement for the sale of its Texas operations to Muskogee, Oklahoma-based Armstrong Bank, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. The transaction, already approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in the … Read more

Community Bankers Urged to Develop Leadership Skills at 2026 IBAT EDGE Conference

The Education Foundation of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) is gearing up for the fourth-annual IBAT EDGE, a program that offers two days of education, renowned industry keynote speakers and leadership development training focused on community banks in Texas. The goal is to Educate, Develop, Guide and Empower (EDGE) community bank employees. This … Read more

Journey Financial Group Announces Agreement to Acquire Lone Star Bank

On March 9, Journey Financial Group Inc. and Houston-based Lone Star Bank jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Journey will acquire Lone Star. The transaction is expected to close late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter of 2026. Journey Financial Group is led by Dean O. … Read more