Texas Regional Bank Expands to North Texas with AccessBank Texas Acquisition

On December 31, Harlingen-based Texas State Bankshares Inc. and Denton-based Access Bancorp Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge Access Bancorp Inc. with Texas State Bankshares Inc. and AccessBank Texas with Texas Regional Bank. As a result of the transaction, Texas Regional Bank will add AccessBank Texas’ six banking centers … Read more

American Bank Announces Acquisition of ACG Equipment Finance 

On January 3, Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced the acquisition of ACG Equipment Finance (ACG), a fully integrated direct equipment financing company headquartered in Austin. “Our acquisition of ACG Equipment Finance is consistent with our long-term strategic plan,” says Stephen Raffaele, CEO and president of American Bank. “Bringing our companies together accelerates our growth strategy, … Read more

Texas Partners Bank Partners with Legacy Mutual Mortgage

On January 4, San Antonio-based Texas Partners Bank announced a partnership with Legacy Mutual Mortgage. The acquisition of the partnership interests of Legacy Mutual Mortgage provides Texas Partners Bank—whose members include The Bank of San Antonio, The Bank of Austin and Texas Hill Country Bank—with a comprehensive mortgage platform broadening the bank’s reach and depth of … Read more

Texas Exchange Bank SSB Converts to State-Chartered Bank

Charles G. Cooper, commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking, announced that Crowley-based Texas Exchange Bank SSB has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a state savings bank. The bank began operating as Texas Exchange Bank under its new charter effective January 1, 2022. Texas Exchange Bank SSB was originally chartered in 1970 … Read more

Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi Publication Touts Kleberg Bank’s Internship Program

Kingsville-based Kleberg Bank is featured in the latest issue of The Islander magazine for its robust internship program. The Islander, published by Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMU–CC), touts the community bank for helping cultivate “a vibrant South Texas workforce by connecting students and employers through internships and, ultimately, permanent employment. TAMU-CC’s Career and Professional Development … Read more

Texas First Bank to Open New Branch in Beaumont in January

Texas City-based Texas First Bank has announced plans to open a new full-service banking center in Beaumont in January 2022. The location—at 6363 Phelan Blvd., just east of Dowlen Rd.—will be the 27th banking center in the family-owned and operated Texas First Bank network. The Beaumont team will include Michelle Bowen, banking center manager (transferring … Read more

First Foundation Inc. Completes Acquisition of TGR Financial and First Florida Integrity Bank

Dallas-based First Foundation Inc., a financial services company with two wholly owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors and First Foundation Bank, announced that it has completed its acquisition of TGR Financial Inc. and its bank subsidiary, Naples, Florida-based First Florida Integrity Bank, a Florida state-chartered bank with seven branch offices located throughout Southwest Florida, plus … Read more

Home BancShares Receives State Approval for Merger with Happy Bancshares

On December 16, Home BancShares Inc., the parent company of Conway, Arkansas-based Centennial Bank, announced that it has received approval from the Arkansas State Banking Board and the Arkansas State bank commissioner of its applications for the previously announced merger with Happy Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank. On December 15, … Read more

Home Bancorp Announces Expansion Into Houston and Agreement to Acquire Friendswood Capital Corp.

On December 16, Home Bancorp Inc., the holding company of the 113-year-old Lafayette, Louisiana-based Home Bank NA, and Friendswood Capital Corp., the holding company of Houston-based Texan Bank NA, jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement and plan of merger under which Home Bancorp will acquire Friendswood Capital Corp. in an all-cash transaction. The … Read more

Two Texas Community Banks Included in Independent Banker’s ‘Best Community Banks to Work For’ in 2021

Independent Banker magazine published its list of the 2021 “Best Community Banks to Work For” in its December issue. Five community banks across the U.S. made the list, each according to the bank’s asset size, and two of the five are headquartered in Texas: Corsicana-based Community Bank & Trust of Texas and Gainesville-based First State … Read more