City Bank of Lubbock’s Edwards Celebrates 75 Years in Banking

On November 6, Lubbock-based City Bank celebrated Clara Edwards’ 75 years in banking. She began her career in 1948 at the First State Bank of Monahans. Since then, she has served in many capacities and is currently the smiling face that greets customers as they enter the Monahans branch. Edwards is also active in the … Read more

First National Bank of Bastrop Names Valderrama Austin Market President

First National Bank of Bastrop has promoted Fil Valderrama to serve as Austin market president. He will take the helm at the Austin loan production office to further grow this market and oversee area lenders. Valderrama has been a member of the First National Bank of Bastrop team for more than 32 years. He previously … Read more

Bank of Texas Hires Harbuck for Private Wealth Banking in Fort Worth

Fort Worth-based Bank of Texas, a subsidiary of Tulsa, Oklahoma-based BOK Financial, has hired Keller Harbuck to serve as private wealth banker. He is responsible for building relationships with high-net-worth clients and businesses, overseeing relationships that include deposit services, lending, brokerage, investment management, trust and insurance services. Harbuck’s financial services experience includes health care, real estate, … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Co. Welcomes Smith and McElroy

Brandon Smith and Kathleen McElroy have joined the staff of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust Co. Smith has been hired to serve as vice president and mortgage loan underwriter at the bank’s branch in The Colony. He previously served as senior underwriter with Colonial Savings Mortgage in McKinney and has been involved in the closing, … Read more

Guaranty Bank & Trust’s Payne to Retire After 40-Year Career

On October 23, Addison-based Guaranty Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Guaranty Bank & Trust NA, announced that Clifton A. “Cappy” Payne, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of the company, plans to retire March 31, 2024, after 40 years with the company and 35 years as its principal accounting officer. He will … Read more

Piland Joins Western Bank to Head New Mortgage Division

Lubbock-based Western Bank has named Allyn Piland executive vice president and president of the bank’s new mortgage division. She brings 18 years of market expertise to her new role, having served markets across Texas and New Mexico. Piland began her career at PrimeWest Mortgage in the servicing department. In 2005, upon graduating from Texas Tech … Read more

VeraBank Hires Commercial Banker Crenshaw and Mortgage Banker Moore

Henderson-based VeraBank recently announced two new hires—one in the bank’s Bryan/College Station market and the other in Austin. Annette Moore has been hired to serve on VeraBank’s mortgage banking team as banking officer/mortgage banker at the Austin branch. “We are excited to offer our Austin area customers the knowledge and commitment to service excellence Annette … Read more

Kruppa Joins Texas Regional Bank as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has hired Jacque Kruppa to serve as senior executive vice president and chief legal officer. In 2010, she played a major role in helping a group of South Texas investors purchase a bank charter from Falfurrias State Bank that would become Texas Regional Bank. She continued to advise Texas Regional Bank … Read more

Williston Elected Chair of the Council of Community Banking Associations

In early October, Christopher Williston, president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, was elected to serve as chairman of the Council of Community Banking Associations (CCBA). CCBA is comprised of the leaders of independent community banking associations around the country, and is exclusively affiliated with the Independent Community Bankers of America. The … Read more

Vérot Moore, Amerant Bank’s Houston Market President, Named “Women Who Mean Business” Honoree

Caroline Vérot Moore, executive vice president and Houston market president at Coral Gables, Florida-based Amerant Bank, was recently honored by the Houston Business Journal at its 2023 “Women Who Mean Business” Awards luncheon. The event was held in Houston on October 13. The award honors women across nine industry categories, as well as a “Woman … Read more