TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS



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

In Memoriam: Dallas Banker James Murphy II

Longtime Dallas banker James Murphy II passed away on October 5 at the age of 72. After earning a BBA degree in finance/general business and an MBA degree in real estate/finance from Southern Methodist University in the early 1970s, Murphy launched his banking career. For more than four decades, he worked as an executive at several … Read more

Harris and Walsh Join TFNB Your Bank for Life

McGregor-based TFNB Your Bank for Life recently announced two new additions to its banking team. With more than 30 years of business and banking experience in the Greater Waco area, Link Harris will serve as senior vice president/lending officer at the bank’s new Woodway/Hewitt location. Active in the community, he previously served as president and … Read more

Pascar Promoted to Chief Operating Officer at R Bank

Round Rock-based R Bank has promoted Jennifer Pascar to senior vice president and chief operating officer. She previously served as senior operations officer. Pascar has been with R Bank for the past 13-and-a-half years. Prior to joining R Bank, she was a senior personal banker with Frost Bank. She launched her community banking career in … Read more

inbanx Inc. Welcomes Burgess, Former CEO of FirstCapital Bank of Texas, to its Board

Austin-based inbanx Inc., a leading provider of spend-management solutions, has announced the appointment of Ken Burgess to its board of directors. Burgess is a seasoned financial executive with a distinguished career spanning more than 50 years. He founded FirstCapital Bank of Texas in 1998 with a vision of fostering great relationships with the businesses and … Read more

McGee and Weinstock Added to IBAT’s Wall of Heroes and Legends

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced two new additions to the IBAT Wall of Heroes and Legends of Texas Community Banking located at the organization’s headquarters in downtown Austin: Milton McGee and Peter Weinstock. The Wall of Heroes and Legends is reserved for special individuals who have contributed significantly to the strength of … Read more