Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Outlines 2023 Leadership Development Session

The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) has released details on its 66th Annual Session, scheduled for May 30–June 9, 2023, in Dallas. Commercial loan officers, branch managers, credit analysts, cashiers, mortgage lenders, consumer lenders, operations officers, state and federal regulators and other banking professionals gather each summer on the … Read more

Community Bankers Invited to Develop Leadership Skills at Upcoming IBAT EDGE

The Education Foundation of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) is gearing up for the debut of IBAT EDGE, a new program that offers two-and-a-half 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 … Read more

Energy Technology Company Baker Hughes Invests $50 Million in Unity Bank

On February 27, Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, announced a $50 million investment to support Houston-based Unity Bank, Texas’ only Black-owned banking institution, citing the move as part of its commitment to supplier diversification and advancement of racial equity. The investment, made through a $50 million deposit in J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Empower share … Read more

Guaranty Bank & Trust Makes $1 Million Investment to the Austin Housing Conservancy Fund

Guaranty Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Mount Pleasant-based Guaranty Bank & Trust, announced a $1 million equity investment in the Austin Housing Conservancy Fund (AHC) to support workforce affordable rental housing in Central Texas. AHC is a private equity fund focused on purchasing multi-family properties and preserving them as affordable housing for front-line personnel, creatives, … Read more

First United Bank Celebrates Third Annual United Acts of Kindness Day

Durant, Oklahoma-based First United Bank is on a mission to ignite a kindness revolution. The bank recently collaborated with stakeholders— including employees, customers, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, churches, community leaders and members—to impact people’s lives positively through simple acts of kindness over 24 hours. On February 17, First United Bank branches across Oklahoma and Texas … Read more

Comerica Bank Launches SmallBizCo-Op to Support North Texas’ Small Businesses

Dallas-based Comerica Bank is expanding its support for small businesses in North Texas with a new program, Comerica SmallBizCo-Op, which will share the bank’s assets and resources with small-business customers in the region to help them achieve their goals. The pilot program is available at no cost to the bank’s small-business customers in North Texas … Read more

Alliance Bank Central Texas Breaks Ground on New Branch in Temple

Woodway-based Alliance Bank Central Texas hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new banking center in Temple on February 16. The full-service bank will be located at 408 Hilliard Rd. and mark the seventh branch spread out around Central Texas in Waco, Temple, Belton, Georgetown, Donie and Jewett. The project is scheduled to be completed in … Read more

Amarillo National Bank Names School at West Texas A&M University Following $3 Million Gift

For the first time in more than 10 years, West Texas A&M University (WT) in Canyon has a newly established school, following a $3 million gift from Amarillo National Bank. It’s the largest gift in the bank’s history. The university’s department of accounting, economics and finance in the Paul & Virginia Engler College of Business … Read more

Vista Bancshares Announces Agreement to Acquire Charis Holdings/Charis Bank

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

Bankers Helping Bankers Names PULSE Exclusive Debit Partner

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