TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
On April 2, the Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, announced the 12 recipients of the 2025 Emerging Leader Awards. Nominated by their bank’s president, CEO or board chair, these rising stars were selected for their exceptional leadership, commitment to service and impact on the banking industry. “These outstanding professionals … Read more
On April 2, the Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, announced the 19 recipients of its 2025 Cornerstone and Leader in Financial Education (LiFE) Awards. These honors recognize work that goes above and beyond in its commitment to community engagement and financial education across Texas. “These awards celebrate the banks … Read more
J. Pat Hickman, former chairman, president and CEO at Happy-based Happy State Bank, passed away on March 1. He was 72. In 1970, Hickman first enrolled at Texas Tech University, but he spent most of his time with his brothers in Phi Delta Theta rather than in the classroom. He resumed his higher education at … Read more
On January 31, UMB Financial Corp., the parent company of Kansas City, Missouri-based UMB Bank, announced the closing of its acquisition of Denver, Colorado-based Heartland Financial USA Inc., which operates in Texas as First Bank & Trust, based in Lubbock. Heartland Financial USA operated 19 branches in Texas before the merger. Its Texas-based banks will … Read more
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Clifton “Cliff” Bickerstaff to the Board for Lease of Texas Parks and Wildlife Lands. His term will expire on September 1. Bickerstaff serves as executive vice president at Amarillo National Bank and is a member of the bank’s board of directors. The Board for Lease was created to lease land … Read more
American Banker has released its 2024 list of the “Best Banks to Work For,” which includes nine banks based in Texas. Northbrook, Illinois-based First Bank Chicago was ranked No. 1 in this year’s list among 90 banks in the 12th annual ranking. The banks on the 2024 list range in size from the 52-employee First … Read more
On October 17, Amarillo National Bank celebrated the grand opening of its 29th branch, located at the Amarillo Medical Center at 1700 Coulter St. This branch opening marks Amarillo National Bank’s first new branch in the city in 15 years. In honor of the new financial center, the bank presented two $25,000 donations to area … Read more
Plains Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Dimmitt-based First United Bank, has announced the addition of Brayden Ruthart to its Amarillo lending team. He will serve as vice president of commercial lending and will office at the Amarillo-Colonies banking center, located at 4501 First United Bank Pkwy. in Amarillo. An Amarillo native, Ruthart spent nearly … Read more
On June 18, Amarillo-based Herring Bank celebrated its 125th year in business with a ceremony at its Civic Circle branch in Amarillo. The bank was founded in 1899 in Vernon by C.T. Herring and has operated a branch in Amarillo since 1996. According to the Amarillo Globe-News, three current branches are near its headquarters. “We … Read more
In May, the Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA), announced the 10 recipients of its 2024 Emerging Leader Awards. Each of the bankers selected was chosen by a TBA member banking institution president, CEO or chairman of the board and recognized for his or her outstanding qualities. Launched in … Read more