TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Moulton-based SouthStar Bank recently announced that it has promoted Jesica Garza to vice president of lending/branch executive at the Georgetown branch. She has been with SouthStar Bank for three years as a portfolio lender, specializing in land and construction financing. She has multiple years of prior experience in mortgage lending. As a certified mortgage planning … Read more
Dallas-based Texas Capital Bank recently hired John Ott to serve as senior vice president/wealth strategist. He has the knowledge and skills necessary to help his clients achieve complex estate planning and business planning. Ott brings to the bank more than 20 years of experience practicing law. He is board certified in estate planning and probate … Read more
Paris-based Lamar National Bank has hired Brian Blair to serve as regional market president over the bank’s Celina and Anna markets. A graduate of Sam Houston State University, Blair began his banking career in 2007, advancing as regional president for Prosperity Bank for the Houston market and later the Plano market. “We are pleased to … Read more
Charli McCue has joined the staff of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust as assistant vice president and digital strategist in the operations division based in Longview. McCue has extensive experience in the regulatory supervision of financial institutions, having served as a commissioned bank examiner for the Texas Department of Banking for the past eight years. … Read more
Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced that Eric Vigil has joined the bank as chief compliance officer. Making the announcement was Stephen C. Raffaele, president and CEO. Vigil joins American Bank with more than 12 years of experience in compliance risk management. During his career, he has led teams with responsibility for and oversight of compliance, … Read more
Mount Pleasant-based Guaranty Bank & Trust recently announced four promotions: Renee Sparks has been promoted to senior paralegal. She joined the bank in 1997. According to a bank press release, “While she has been functioning at the senior paralegal level for some time now—fielding increasingly complex legal-related questions in her unruffled way—it is great to … Read more
Tupelo, Mississippi-based Cadence Bank has tapped Brad Durham to serve as executive vice president and managing director of its financial institutions group (FIG), which provides correspondent banking services for financial institution clients. Durham brings more than 45 years of experience in commercial banking and most recently served as a senior vice president and correspondent banker … Read more
Durant, Oklahoma-based First United Bank has named Renee Newman chief experience officer and Tadd Tobkin senior vice president/chief technology officer. Newman has more than 25 years of financial services experience spanning community, regional and large financial institutions. Reporting directly to CEO Greg Massey, Newman will drive a consistent customer and employee experience across all channels. … Read more
Dan Flynn, a former Texas state representative for Van Zandt, Hunt and Hopkins counties (District 2), passed away peacefully on October 28. He was 79. In addition to his legislative service, Flynn was a longtime community banker who also served as deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking. He is known for helping to … Read more
Chance Thornton has joined Jacksonville-based Austin Bank as assistant vice president and relationship manager in the Lufkin office. “Chance is a skilled banker with a strong commitment to the East Texas area,” says Jeff Austin III, chairman. “His experience and leadership will help to serve our Lufkin customers and the Austin Bank team.” With more … Read more