American Banker’s 2024 ‘Best Banks to Work For’ List Includes Nine Texas-based Financial Institutions

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

Amarillo National Bank Celebrates New Medical Center Branch with Community Donations

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

First United Bank Hires Ruthart for Commercial Lending in Amarillo

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

Herring Bank Celebrates 125 Years of Service

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

Texas Bankers Foundation Announces 2024 Emerging Leader Honorees

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

BOC Bank Taps Ferrell as Chief Technology Officer, Jay as Chief Operating Officer

Amarillo-based BOC Bank recently announced that Shane Ferrell has been promoted to chief technology officer/senior vice president of strategy and innovation, and Steven Jay has joined the bank as chief operating officer. Ferrell and Jay both began their new roles in February. The bank’s current technology team is on the cusp of rolling out a … Read more

FirstBank Southwest School Spirit Card Program Gives Back Nearly $57,000 to Area Schools

Amarillo-based FirstBank Southwest has been donating to area schools through its School Spirit Card program since 2019. In 2024, 20 schools in the Texas Panhandle accessed the program to create, market and distribute customized debit cards with the school logo and mascot. The customized cards allow users to show off their school pride and give … Read more

American Banker’s 2023 ‘Best Banks to Work For’ List Includes 11 Texas-based Financial Institutions

American Banker has released its 2023 list of the “Best Banks to Work For,” which includes 11 banks based in Texas or with operations in Texas among the 90 listed. Like last year and the year before, Oakworth Capital Bank in Birmingham, Alabama, was ranked the Best Bank to Work For. First Federal Savings & … Read more

FirstBank Southwest Launches Banking Advisory Council to Nurture Career Opportunities and Evolve

Amarillo-based FirstBank Southwest has created a 15-member Banking Advisory Council (BAC) to help understand the future of banking through the eyes of students. The council is made up of high school seniors at Amarillo ISD, Canyon ISD and Bushland ISD, as well as freshmen and sophomore students at Amarillo College. Members were chosen during a … Read more

Happy State Bank’s Williamson Heads to St. Louis as First Bank President

Mikel Williamson, who served as president and CEO of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank until its 2022 merger with Conway, Arkansas-based Centennial Bank, has been named president of St. Louis, Missouri-based First Bank. He will also assume the role of CEO at the end of this year upon the retirement of Shelley Seifert, who has served … Read more