Agility Bank Receives Conditional Approval to Launch in Houston

On October 20, Houston-based Agility Bank (in organization) announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. have given conditional approval for its application to launch and operate a predominately digital community bank that is primarily owned and led by women. Agility Bank will begin raising $30 million in … Read more

The Bank of San Antonio, The Bank of Austin and Texas Hill Country Bank Complete Merger

On October 21, San Antonio-based Southwest Bancshares Inc., the bank holding company for The Bank of San Antonio, closed its merger of three affiliated banks, creating a unique Central Texas banking franchise. In connection with the closing of the transaction, Capitol of Texas Bancshares, the holding company for The Bank of Austin, and Texas Hill … Read more

SouthStar Bank Celebrates a Century of Service

SouthStar Bank celebrated a century in business on October 21 in Moulton, featuring live music and barbecue. “Starting from humble beginnings as The Farmers and Merchants Bank, we have grown not only in numbers, but also in talent, services and communities,” says David R. Kapavik, president and CEO. “SouthStar Bank has remained true to its … Read more

Community Bankers Launch Ed. @ Your Desk Virtual Education Series

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) launched its Ed. @ Your Desk virtual education series on October 13. The program, part of the community banking association’s 2020 unCONVENTIONal virtual convention, will feature new sessions every Tuesday and Thursday through December 17. Ed. @ Your Desk will cover a wide range of topics, including accounting, … Read more

Lone Star Capital Bank, Bank of San Antonio and Broadway Bank Named ‘Top Workplaces’ for 2020

San Antonio-based Lone Star Capital Bank , Bank of San Antonio and Broadway Bank have been selected as three of the “Top Workplaces” for 2020 by the San Antonio Express-News. This year’s recipients were announced during a virtual event on October 8, as well as featured in a Top Workplaces publication issued by the Express-News. … Read more

First Financial Bankshares Serves Communities in Fifth Annual Company-Wide Day of Service

Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares held its fifth annual company-wide Day of Service on Columbus Day, October 12. First Financial partnered with local nonprofit organizations across Texas to provide assistance and perform service projects in each of the communities it serves. With more than 900 employees participating, Day of Service initiatives took place in 40 locations … Read more

Louisiana-Based Origin Bank Relocates Fort Worth Branch

Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has announced the relocation of its 7th Street banking center to a new building located at 3200 W. 7th St. Less than 1,000 feet from its previous location, the new banking center offers business and personal banking customers easy access to the services they need. “We are excited to share our … Read more

Community Bank Optimism on Local Economic Health Ticks Up Slightly, but Concerns Remain

Community bankers are feeling slightly better about the health of their local economies, but still far short of their pre-pandemic level of confidence, the most recent Community Bank Sentiment Index (CBSI) reveals. The Conference of State Bank Supervisors released the third-quarter results in early October, collecting data from 334 community banks across the nation during … Read more

State Regulators Issue Ransomware Mitigation Tool

State financial regulators, joined by the Bankers’ Electronic Crimes Task Force and U.S. Secret Service, have issued a self-assessment tool to banks they supervise in an effort to help mitigate ransomware attacks. “Ransomware is a major threat to the financial services industry,” says Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper, who leads the Bankers’ Electronic Crimes … Read more

HC3 Acquires Banc Statements Inc.

HC3, a data-driven technology company based in Birmingham, Alabama, that delivers unique customer communications, has acquired Alabama-based Banc Statements Inc. (BSI), a company that specializes in printing and mailing demand-deposit and savings account statements for community banks. Beginning October 1, all work contracted through BSI will continue operation as HC3. HC3—in business for 58 years—helps … Read more