Gulf Capital Bank Taps Noorani to Lead New Small-Business Lending Group

On May 5, Houston-based Gulf Capital Bank announced that it has established a new small-business lending group with veteran banker Saman Noorani and underwriter Sebastian Aguirre. Saman has more than 20 years of experience in SBA loan origination, underwriting, closing and secondary market sales. Prior to joining Gulf Capital Bank, she was senior vice president … Read more

Lufburrow Joins American Bank’s Houston Regional Board

Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced the appointment of Steven P. Lufburrow to its Houston regional board. He is the recently retired president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston and former executive director of the Goodwill Industries of Houston Foundation. Under his leadership of more than 38 years, Goodwill Houston experienced unprecedented growth, becoming one of … Read more

Texas Banking Commissioner Cooper Re-elected Chair of the FFIEC State Liaison Committee  

On May 1, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) announced the re-selection of Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper to the FFIEC’s State Liaison Committee (SLC) for a term that runs through April 30, 2027. Concurrently, the SLC announced Cooper’s re-election as SLC chair for a one-year term that runs until April 30, 2026. … Read more

Obermeyer Joins VeraBank as Senior Vice President and Commercial Bank in Austin

Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Alix Obermeyer to serve as senior vice president/commercial banker in Austin. With extensive commercial lending experience, she is well-versed in the local business landscape. Obermeyer has more than a dozen years of banking experience. Prior to joining VeraBank, she was a senior vice president at Hillcrest Bank in Austin for four … Read more

USAA Appoints Goldman Chief Risk Officer

On May 14, San Antonio-based USAA announced the appointment of Brian Goldman as its new chief risk officer, effective May 27. With nearly three decades of experience in the global financial services industry, he brings a proven track record of building and strengthening risk functions in large, complex organizations to achieve strategic goals. Goldman joins … Read more

IBAT Education Foundation Awards SWGSB Women in Community Banking Scholarship

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) Education Foundation, in conjunction with the SW Graduate School of Banking Foundation, announced that Kelsey Goates, vice president and market manager at TexasBank in Stephenville, and Leslie Gonzalez, senior vice president at Stockmens National Bank in Cotulla, have been selected as recipients of the 2025 Women in Community … Read more

First United Bank Welcomes Anderson as Lubbock Market President

Dimmitt-based First United Bank has hired Drew C. Anderson to serve as president of the Lubbock market. He will office at the Lubbock-Northwest Banking Center located at 5802 4th St. He joins First United Bank with more than 25 years of experience. Anderson has served in key roles at First National Bank, Norwest, Wells Fargo … Read more

Vorhees Named Treasurer and Executive Vice President at First Financial Bank

The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced the election of Jeff Vorhees to serve as executive vice president and treasurer. Vorhees most recently served as director of corporate treasury at McKinney-based Independent Financial, a $19 billion public bank. Prior to that, he held positions in asset liability management consulting, investment banking … Read more

Polunsky Beitel Green Taps Mortgage Industry Veteran Barton for Business Development

Dallas-based Polunsky Beitel Green LLP, a prominent residential mortgage law firm that serves Texas banks, announced that Hannah Barton has joined its business development team. She brings more than 12 years of experience in the residential mortgage industry, including expertise in client success, strategic partnerships and operational leadership. She is based in the firm’s Dallas … Read more

Snyder Joins VeraBank’s Mortgage and Commercial Banking Team in Austin

Henderson-based VeraBank recently announced the addition of Doug Snyder to its Austin team, where he will serve as senior vice president/senior mortgage and commercial banker. A resident of Austin for 50-plus years, he brings more than 35 years of experience in the lending industry to his new role. Before joining VeraBank, Snyder served as a … Read more