Arkansas-based Home BancShares Enters Texas with Acquisition of Happy Bancshares

On September 15, Conway, Arkansas-based Home BancShares Inc. (HOMB), the parent company of Centennial Bank, and Amarillo-based Happy Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Happy State Bank, jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Home BancShares will acquire Happy Bancshares in an all-stock merger, with Home BancShares as … Read more

Nunn Appointed President of Citizens Bank in Amarillo

Sam Nunn, a third-generation banker, has been promoted to president/chief financial officer at Amarillo-based Citizens Bank. Nunn, who has more than 12 years of community banking experience, joined Citizens Bank in 2011 as a senior vice president and most recently served as executive vice president/chief financial officer. Prior to that, he was a correspondent banker … Read more

Interstate Bank Promotes Marrs and Blasingame to Market Presidents

Perryton-based Interstate Bank recently announced the promotions of two seasoned bankers to serve as market presidents. Mark Marrs has been promoted to market president in Amarillo, following his previously held position as senior vice president in the commercial loan department. A 14-year veteran of the bank, he has helped oversee the success of the bank’s … Read more

FirstBank Southwest Announces Construction of its New Bank in Pampa

Amarillo-based FirstBank Southwest recently announced the start of construction for its new bank at 300 W. Kingsmill in Pampa. The 8,000-square-feet facility will include a full-service bank, six drive-through lanes, a 24-hour drive-up ATM and night-deposit drop. The bank plans to open in the spring of 2022. This April, FirstBank Southwest is temporarily relocating its drive-through, … Read more

FirstCapital Bank of Texas Announces New Year Promotions in Amarillo

Midland-based FirstCapital Bank of Texas recently announced the promotions of the following employees in Amarillo. Edmond Bachman has been promoted to vice president/relationship manager. Originally from Vernon, he has a bachelor’s degree in business finance from Midwestern State University and has been with FirstCapital Bank of Texas since 2014. Jacob Ortega has been promoted to vice … Read more

Happy State Bank to Acquire First National Bank of Tahoka

On December 11, J. Pat Hickman, chairman of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank, and Frederick B. Hegi Jr., chairman of Tahoka-based First National Bank of Tahoka (FNB), announced that Happy State Bank is acquiring First National Bank of Tahoka through a merger. FNB Tahoka holds approximately $56 million in total assets and has one location in … Read more

Rawls College of Business Establishes E.W. & J. David Williams Institute for Community Banking & Finance

With approval from the Texas Tech University System’s Board of Regents at its October 16 meeting, Texas Tech University’s Jerry S. Rawls College of Business has established the E.W. & J. David Williams Institute for Community Banking & Finance. Made possible by a generous gift from longtime Texas Tech supporter and community bank executive J. … Read more

Texas Panhandle Boasts Numerous ‘Best Banks to Work For’ in 2020

American Banker, along with Best Companies Group, recently cited 85 financial institutions across the U.S. as inductees on its 2020 “Best Banks to Work For” list. The recognition honors U.S. banks for outstanding employee satisfaction. It’s no surprise that a number of Texas-based community banks are included on the list. What’s interesting, though, is the … Read more

Community Bankers Guerra and Nunn Elected to ICBA Federal Delegate Board

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) recently announced that Gabriel Guerra, president and CEO of Kingsville-based Kleberg Bank NA, and Sam Nunn, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Amarillo-based Citizens Bank, have been elected to the ICBA Federal Delegate Board. In addition to helping shape and advocate ICBA’s national policy positions and … Read more

Happy State Bank to Acquire First Bank of Muleshoe

In a joint statement on October 29, J. Pat Hickman, chairman of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank, and Tommy Gunstream, chairman of Muleshoe-based Muleshoe Bancshares Inc., announced that Happy State Bank is acquiring Muleshoe Bancshares Inc. and its subsidiary, First Bank of Muleshoe, through a series of mergers. A Texas state bank, First Bank of Muleshoe … Read more