TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Members of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA) are gathering in Dallas, May 20–22, for the organization’s 141st Annual Convention, being held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. With the theme that touts the Lone Star State as the “Land of Opportunity—America’s New Financial Capital,” the group has a full slate of education sessions, featured speakers, … Read more
On May 6, Henderson-based VeraBank announced the recipients of its 2026 Scholarship Program, awarding five $2,500 scholarships to exceptional students whose parents are part of the VeraBank family. This year’s scholarship recipients are: Coy Becka, senior at Caldwell High School, Caldwell (son of Melanie Becka); Zachary Leonard, senior at Westlake High School, Austin (son of … Read more
On April 28, Bastrop Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Bastrop-based First National Bank of Bastrop, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Columbus Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Columbus-based The First State Bank, for cash consideration. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. According to … Read more
Registration for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ (IBAT) 41st Annual Connecting Leaders Conference, the IBAT Leadership Division’s flagship event, is now open. Texas community bankers are encouraged to attend the family-friendly event being held June 25–27 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. IBAT’s Connecting Leaders Conference brings together rising community bank leaders for … Read more
The Texas Bankers Hall of Fame on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville held its 13th Annual Gala on April 23. Five iconic bankers—Mark K. Johnson, Michael G. O’Rourke, Rogers Pope Jr., A. Ford Sasser III and Marelyn B. Shedd—were inducted. Established by the Smith-Hutson Endowed Chair of Banking at Sam Houston … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has strengthened its Central Texas presence with the opening of a new banking center in Boerne and the relocation of its Bulverde-area banking center into a newly constructed facility in Spring Branch. The new Boerne banking center provides full-service personal and business banking with direct access to local specialists. The Bulverde … Read more
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-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
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
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