Lone Star National Bank Named 2025 Best of Show in Best of Community Banking Awards

In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2025 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. McAllen-based Lone Star National Bank won Best of Show for its community service entry “Starr County Volunteerism.” The 2025 BOCB Best of Show, Community Spirit and Gold Eagle Award recipients were recognized at … Read more

Houston-based Cornerstone Capital Bank to Acquire West Texas-based Peoples Bank

On October 16, Cornerstone Capital Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Houston-based Cornerstone Capital Bank, and Peoples Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Cornerstone will acquire Peoples. This transaction marks Cornerstone’s first bank acquisition since its merger with Roscoe Bank in 2022. Upon … Read more

Texas Tech School of Banking Sets 2026 Program for Next August

The Texas Tech School of Banking will convene its 2026 program the week of August 9–14 at the Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock. For 51 years, the school has partnered with hundreds of community banks to bring together thousands of bankers seeking to advance their careers as … Read more

Texas Banks Honored in 2025 American Bankers Association Foundation’s Community Commitment Awards

Seven Texas banks have been recognized by the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation for their outstanding community initiatives in this year’s Community Commitment Awards, which celebrate banks nationwide that go above and beyond to strengthen the communities they serve. From affordable housing to financial education and senior protection, these programs reflect the deep community roots … Read more

Ohio-based Fifth Third Bank to Acquire Comerica Bank

On October 6, Cincinatti-Ohio-based Fifth Third Bancorp and Dallas-based Comerica Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Fifth Third will acquire Comerica in an all-stock transaction valued at $10.9 billion. This transaction brings together two long-tenured banking franchises to create the ninth largest U.S. bank with approximately $288 billion … Read more

Rio Bank Opens Branch in Dripping Springs

On June 22, McAllen-based Rio Bank celebrated its official opening in Dripping Springs with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking its successful acquisition and transition from Lone Star Capital Bank. The event, hosted in partnership with the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, brought together community members, business leaders and longtime customers to celebrate Rio Bank’s new chapter … Read more

Cendera Bank NA Converts to a State-Chartered Bank

On October 1, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced that Bells-based Cendera Bank National Association has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a national banking association. The bank began operating as Cendera Bank under its new charter effective October 1. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cendera Financial Holdings Inc. … Read more

Vista Bank to Merge with Colorado-based National Bank Holdings Corp./NBH Bank

On September 15, Denver-based National Bank Holdings Corp., the holding company for NBH Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire Vista Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Dallas-based Vista Bank with operations in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Lubbock, as well as Palm Beach, Florida. The transaction is expected to close in … Read more

Prosperity Bancshares to Acquire Southwest Bancshares, Texas Partners Bank

On October 1, Prosperity Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Houston-based Prosperity Bank, and Southwest Bancshares Inc., the parent holding company of San Antonio-based Texas Partners Bank, jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Prosperity will acquire Southwest Bancshares and Texas Partners Bank. The merger is expected to close during the first … Read more

58 Bankers Complete 2025 Texas Tech School of Banking Program

The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2025 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and three other states convened at Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock for the program. Established in 1973, the school offers a blend of traditional academic coursework and interactive lecture sessions hosted … Read more