TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
On May 1, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) announced the re-election of Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper as chair of the FFIEC’s State Liaison Committee (SLC) for a one-year term that runs until April 30, 2027. Cooper has been a member of the SLC and served as its chair since 2023. Cooper … Read more
On May 4, Dallas-based Harmony Bank announced that it has hired Anne Witherspoon to serve as executive vice president and chief operating officer. She brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in banking operations, client experience, treasury services, project and product management, training and development and compliance management. Prior to joining Harmony Bank, Witherspoon was … Read more
Birmingham, Alabama-based Regions Bank announced the appointment of Christina Clemmons to serve as Texas consumer banking executive, a senior leadership role overseeing retail-banking operations across Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Tyler and other Texas markets. She succeeds Michael Pardue, who now serves as retail segment program manager supporting branch operations across Region Bank’s 15-state retail-banking footprint. … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Jeannie Vernetti, CTFA FPQP, to join The Private Bank at PlainsCapital as vice president/ wealth management administrator. She will be based at the bank’s 50th and University location in Lubbock. Vernetti joins PlainsCapital Bank with more than 20 years of experience in trust and wealth management. Most recently, she served … Read more
Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced several promotions at its employee awards dinner held in Longview in March. Jorge Acuna was promoted to vice president/commercial lending officer, lending. He has worked for Texas Bank and Trust for the past eight years in the lending division, previously serving as a credit analyst and portfolio manager before … Read more
San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank has added three new bankers and promoted one. Gabe Longoria has joined Jefferson Bank as executive vice president/chief information officer. He brings more than 20 years of technology leadership in financial services, specializing in digital transformation, infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity. Before joining Jefferson Bank, he served as senior vice president/chief information … Read more
Harry J. “Johnny” Brooks, chair and CEO of Woodville-based Citizens State Bank, has been named 2026 Mr. East Texas as part of the community’s 83rd Annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival in Woodville, held on weekends in March and April. The Dogwood Festival is the longest-running outdoor celebration in Texas. Citizens State Bank has supported it … Read more
In April, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced four promotions. Mara Portillo has been promoted to senior vice president/compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer. With more than 16 years of experience in the banking industry, including 14 years at WestStar Bank, she will expand her leadership role by overseeing the bank’s CRA initiatives. Portillo will … Read more
Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust has promoted three executives and hired a fourth. “As we continue to grow, it is essential to recognize and elevate the leaders who have helped build our success,” says Craig Berry, president and chief lending officer. Damon Whatley has been promoted to executive vice president. His banking career began … Read more
Jacksonville-based Austin Bank hired three team members in April, as announced by Jeff Austin III, chair. Dan Taylor has joined the bank as senior vice president/relationship manager in the Creekside Park location. He has a varied background in finance, banking, real estate, aviation and entrepreneurship. With two decades of experience in banking, he joins Austin … Read more