Casillas Joins Jefferson Bank as Vice President in Trust Division

San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank has hired Michelle R. Casillas to serve as vice president/trust officer. Her career has focused on assisting families and individuals with estate planning, probate and guardianship needs. She previously served as the staff attorney for Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, one of 19 such courts in Texas. Casillas holds a … Read more

Former Texas Parks and Wildlife Executive Director Joins Jefferson Bank Board

San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank announced that Carter Smith has been appointed to the bank’s board of directors. He will be responsible for providing independent oversight and governance to the institution and will also serve as a member of the audit committee, as well as the board’s oil and gas committee. Smith served as executive director at … Read more

Citizens National Bank Announces Promotions of Locke and Cardenas

Calvin Fryar, chairman of the board of directors of Brownwood-based Citizens National Bank, announced two promotions in March. Will Locke has been promoted to assistant vice president, IT officer and IT security officer. While a student, he joined Citizens National Bank in 2014 as a part-time proof operator and in 2017 was promoted to IT … Read more

PlainsCapital Bank Taps Erts for Wealth Administration, Diaz for Commercial Lending

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank recently announced that two bankers have joined the organization—one in private banking, the other in commercial lending. Jannette Erts, CFP, has joined The Private Bank at PlainsCapital as senior vice president/senior wealth administrator. She will manage Texas probate estates and trusts for which the grantor is deceased. She will office at PlainsCapital … Read more

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Appoints Searls Vice President of Financial Sector and Policy Analysis

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has appointed Seth Searls vice president of financial sector and policy analysis in the research department. His appointment is effective May 1. He will lead a team providing insights on global financial market developments, specifically relating to monetary policy. Searls joins the bank from the Federal Reserve Bank of New … Read more

Houston’s Central Bank Welcomes Neuhaus and Rajabi to Commercial Banking Team

Houston-based Central Bank recently announced the hiring of two seasoned bankers to serve on the commercial banking team as senior vice presidents. Will Neuhaus has joined Central Bank as senior vice president/commercial banking. He has focused his financial services career on treasury management, as well as commercial/industrial and not-for-profit lending. Neuhaus’ previous experience includes role … Read more

In Memoriam: Peoples Bank’s Blake Boyd

Longtime banker Blake Boyd, president of Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on April 8. He was 61. He spent the last several years of his life fighting lung cancer, although he never smoked a day in his life. Boyd began his banking career in 1980 at Lubbock National … Read more

Commerce Bank’s Urrabazo Jr. Appointed to CFPB’s Community Bank Advisory Council

On March 2, Laredo-based Commerce Bank announced that Ignacio Urrabazo Jr., president and CEO, has been appointed to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Community Bank Advisory Council (CBAC). In this role, he will provide valuable insights and recommendations on various consumer financial issues, including lending practices, consumer protection and regulatory compliance. The CBAC, composed … Read more

Dallas Capital Bank Hires Griggs to Serve on Commercial Real Estate Team

In mid-February, Dallas Capital Bank announced the addition of Jarrod Griggs as senior vice president/commercial real estate. He will report to Patrick Brown, executive vice president and managing director/commercial real estate. He will be responsible for providing real estate developers and investors customized financing solutions for the construction, acquisition, expansion or upgrade of multifamily, retail, … Read more

Austin Bank Employees Receive Promotions in March

Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced promotions of employees approved at the March 2023 board of directors meeting. Lynn Littlejohn has been named chief human resources officer. Littlejohn, senior executive vice president, received a title change as she continues in her leadership role overseeing the bank’s human resources … Read more