TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS

Texas Bankers

Worley and Heil Join Susser Bank’s Dallas Commercial Banking Team

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Dallas-based Susser Bank continues to expand its Dallas commercial banking team with the addition of  Meredith Worley as senior vice president/relationship manager and Conner Heil as vice president/relationship manager. Worley brings more than 15 years of experience serving privately held businesses and business owners across North Texas. Her expertise includes commercial lending, sponsor lending, asset-based … Read more

Community Bankers Bestow IBAT Chairman’s Award to VeraBank’s Tidwell and Renzetti

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The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Brad Tidwell and Claire Renzetti with the IBAT Chairman’s Award. The IBAT Chairman’s Award is the association’s highest honor, recognizing individuals whose contributions extend beyond service to IBAT and demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the community banking industry as a whole. IBAT’s 2025–26 Chair Greg Wilson, … Read more

IBC Bank Promotes Lozano to Lead Laredo Market, De La Garza to Lead in San Antonio

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In August, Laredo-based IBC Bank announced the promotion of two longtime employees to market president positions in Laredo and San Antonio. Nativido “Nati” Lozano has been promoted to market president of IBC Bank–Laredo. Prior to his promotion, Lozano, who has more than 25 years of banking experience, oversaw the commercial lending division for the Laredo … Read more

Charter Bank Appoints Oilfield Service Professional to Board of Directors

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Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank has announced the appointment of John Jalufka to its board of directors. He has more than 50 years of experience in the oilfield service industry, designing and building high-pressure pumps, chemical blenders, coiled tubing units, laydown units and well-flowing equipment. Jalufka has successfully built and sold multiple companies in the Corpus … Read more

Ramirez Joins First Bank Texas to Serve as Fort Worth Market President

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Fort Worth-based First Bank Texas has hired Michael Ramirez to serve as Fort Worth market president. He brings more than 20 years of banking experience to his new position, with extensive expertise in commercial real estate lending, relationship management and portfolio management. Ramirez’s experience includes handling complex commercial real estate transactions ranging from $1 million … Read more

Community Bankers Honor IntraFi’s Blackwell with IBAT President’s Award

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In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Rob Blackwell, chief content officer and head of external affairs at Arlington, Virginia-based IntraFi, with its prestigious IBAT President’s Award. The honor is bestowed each year at the sole discretion of President and CEO Christopher Williston to an associate member who goes above and beyond … Read more

R Bank Welcomes Matthews as Round Rock Market President

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Round Rock-based R Bank has hired Will Matthews to serve as market president in Round Rock. A member of the University of Texas’ Rose Bowl-winning football team and a former player for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, he developed a strong foundation in discipline, teamwork and relationship-building. Following his football career, he worked in nonprofit fundraising, … Read more

McDonald Named Chief Operating Officer at R Bank in Round Rock

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Round Rock-based R Bank has promoted Cole McDonald to executive vice president and chief operating officer. Since joining the bank in 2024, he has quickly established himself as a respected leader and trusted resource across the organization. Prior to joining R Bank, McDonald served on the commercial lending team at VeraBank for almost four years. … Read more

Community Banking Advocate Scurlock Added to IBAT’s Wall of Heroes and Legends

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The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced a new addition to the IBAT Wall of Heroes and Legends of Texas Community Banking located at the organization’s headquarters in Austin. Steve Scurlock, IBAT’s former government affairs director, was presented with the honor during the association’s recent convention in San Antonio. The Wall of Heroes and … Read more

In Memoriam: Robert Smith III, Federal Reserve Bank Stalwart

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Robert Smith III, a distinguished public servant, naval officer and devoted family man, passed away on October 3 in Dallas at the age of 86. He spent much of his career in service to the Federal Reserve System. After earning his BS degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University, Smith pursued further studies at … Read more