Community Bankers Honor Legend Bank’s Bearden with Excellence in Leadership Award

During the IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference held this summer in Galveston, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) presented its annual Excellence in Leadership Award. This year’s recipient was Jay Bearden, president and CEO of Legend Bank in Decatur. To be considered for the Excellence in Leadership Award, one must selflessly promote, support and serve … Read more

Prosperity Bancshares and American Bank Holding Corp. Announce Merger

On July 18, Prosperity Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Houston-based Prosperity Bank, and American Bank Holding Corp., the parent holding company of Corpus Christi-based American Bank NA, jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Prosperity Bancshares will acquire American Bank Holding Corp. and American Bank. The merger has been unanimously approved … Read more

107 Bankers Complete SW Graduate School of Banking Three-Year Executive Education Program

The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University 2025 summer session wrapped up June 6 with a commencement ceremony for SWGSB Class LXVI at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Jan Mills, president and chair of First National Bank of Winnsboro and a graduate of SWGSB Class XL, delivered the commencement address … Read more

Susser Bank Relocates Headquarters to Old Parkland in Dallas

On July 7, Dallas-based Susser Bank relocated its Dallas office and official headquarters to the Resolute Tower on the historic Old Parkland campus. The new full-service office is located at 4020 Maple Ave., Ste. 150, in Dallas. Located just off Maple Ave. with direct access to the Dallas North Tollway, the new office enhances accessibility for … Read more

PlainsCapital Bank Taps Chambers as Wealth Management Market Manager for Fort Worth Region

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has promoted Shelly Chambers to wealth management market manager for the Fort Worth region of The Private Bank at PlainsCapital. She joined The Private Bank in 2023 as senior vice president/senior wealth administrator and has more than 30 years of financial services experience in Texas. In her expanded role, Chambers will lead … Read more

Cravens Appointed President of Susser Bank

Dallas-based Susser Bank has appointed Carl Cravens president and chief banking officer. In his expanded role, he will continue to report directly to Sam L. Susser, chairman and CEO, and assume responsibility for all commercial banking, credit functions and marketing across the bank’s footprint. Cravens joined Susser Bank in 2018 and has been instrumental in scaling … Read more

Seitz Joins PlainsCapital Bank’s Austin Lending Team

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Cullen Seitz to serve on its Austin lending team as senior vice president/senior commercial loan officer. He will be based at the bank’s Downtown Austin location at 201 W. Fifth St., Ste. 100. “Cullen brings nearly two decades of commercial banking experience and a deep understanding of the Austin market,” … Read more

American Bank Hires Labedzki for Commercial Lending Team in Houston

Corpus Christi-based American Bank has hired Marek Labedzki to serve as senior commercial lending officer the bank’s 3737 Buffalo Speedway location in Houston. Making the announcement was Charlie Phillips, Houston market president. Labedzki has worked in senior leadership roles for several mid-sized and large banks, spending the past 15 years serving clients in the Houston … Read more

2025 Five*Star Award Winners Announced by the Independent Bankers Association of Texas

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) has announced this year’s recipients of its coveted Five*Star Award: Advantage Health Plans Trust (tier 1), IntraFi (tier 2) and SHAZAM (tier 3). These three IBAT associate members—based on company size—will be honored during the association’s 2025 IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference, June 26–28 at the Moody Gardens Hotel … Read more

Susser Bank Golf Classic Raises $225,000+ to Support MD Anderson Cancer Center

On May 22, more than 128 golfers gathered at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch Golf Course for the 2025 Susser Bank Golf Classic, raising $225,800 in support of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. All expenses for the event were fully underwritten by Arlington-based Susser Bank and the Susser family, ensuring that every dollar … Read more