TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Harlan Raymond Heitkamp, founder and former chairman of Corpus Christi-based ValueBank Texas, passed away on February 6. Raised in Bracken, he attended Texas Tech University, earning a master’s degree in civil engineering. After marrying his wife of 64 years, Gerry, in 1958, the couple moved to Corpus Christi where Heitkamp worked for the City of … Read more
On January 13, Bowie-based Legend Bank announced its new Tarrant County lending team comprised of four commercial lenders and four loan operations and support personnel. They will serve North Richland Hills and surrounding areas. The new team includes Mike Monroe, Lee Herron, Mark Piland and Ryan Sanford, with support from operational staff members Kerri Berkley, Dale Williams, … Read more
The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA has elected Mike Parker executive vice president and chief compliance officer. He brings more than 15 years of compliance experience to First Financial Bank, including his most recent post as director of compliance governance with USAA Federal Savings Bank. The announcement was made by Randy … Read more
Tray Mounce, a longtime Houston banking executive, has been named executive vice president at San Antonio-based Vantage Bank. His hiring comes as the Texas-based bank launches its expansion into the Houston market. Mounce will serve as co-president of the Houston market alongside recently hired Cody Canno, also an executive vice president. Mounce has more than … Read more
Ozona Bank has announced several promotions in the new year. Raul Pina has been promoted to vice president/credit analyst II and offices out of Ozona Bank’s San Antonio branch. He has been with the bank since 2020. Pina has 22 years of banking experience, with 14 years focused on commercial credit. Stacy Guzman (no photograph … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced two promotions approved at the January 2023 board of directors meeting. Julisa Trujillo has been elected to serve as assistant vice president. A member of the human resources department, she joined Austin Bank in 2017, bringing with her several years of recruiting experience from a … Read more
On January 24, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) announced the appointment of David Long to its Affordable Housing Advisory Council and the reappointment of four current Advisory Council members. Long’s three-year term began on January 1 and will expire on December 31, 2025. Long brings more than 25 years of affordable … Read more
On January 23, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced the executive vice president promotions of Lee Rodriguez, chief human resource officer; Jerry Harris, chief credit officer; and Orlando Hernandez, chief information officer. Rodriguez has served as chief human resource officer with WestStar Bank for almost 20 years. She manages all aspects of human resources, as well … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Phillip Shawn to serve on its wealth management team as assistant vice president/specialty asset manager. He will office at the bank’s Henderson wealth management location. Prior to joining VeraBank, Shawn spent six years managing more than 40,000 net mineral acres in the Permian Basin for a family-owned company in Dallas. “It’s … Read more
Steve Stapp, president and CEO of Round Rock-based R Bank , recently announced two promotions—one in Austin and one in Round Rock. Garrett Morgan has been promoted to senior vice president/Austin banking center president. A veteran banker with more than 15 years of experience, he joined R Bank in 2017 as senior vice president/commercial lender. … Read more