TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS

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TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS

TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS

bank examiner

Bartlett Joins Texas Bankers Association as Senior Vice President of Government Relations

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The Texas Bankers Association has appointed David “Chip” Bartlett as senior vice president of government relations. The appointment—announced by Chris Furlow, TBA’s CEO, and Celeste Embrey, the association’s general counsel/executive vice president of government relations—is effective March 1. “I was drawn to TBA because Texas is emerging as the new financial capital of the nation, … Read more

Frasier, Texas Department of Banking’s Director of Corporate Activities and Financial Innovation, to Retire

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Daniel Frasier, director of the Texas Department of Banking’s corporate activities and financial innovation, is retiring after 18 years of state service. His retirement is effective June 30, 2026. “We congratulate Dan on this career milestone and wish him a happy retirement,” says Charles G. Cooper, commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking. “We appreciate … Read more

City National Bank’s Jirasek and Consultant Reynolds Added to IBAT’s Wall of Heroes and Legends

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The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced two new additions to the IBAT Wall of Heroes and Legends of Texas Community Banking located at the organization’s headquarters in downtown Austin: James “Jim” Jirasek and Merrill Reynolds. The Wall of Heroes and Legends is reserved for special individuals who have contributed significantly to the strength … Read more

Vorhees Named Treasurer and Executive Vice President at First Financial Bank

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The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced the election of Jeff Vorhees to serve as executive vice president and treasurer. Vorhees most recently served as director of corporate treasury at McKinney-based Independent Financial, a $19 billion public bank. Prior to that, he held positions in asset liability management consulting, investment banking … Read more

Bank of Brenham Founder Lee Gaskamp Passes Away

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Longtime Texas banker Lee Roy Gaskamp Jr., 69, passed away on September 6 after an exhausting battle with COVID-19. During his lifetime, he served at several community banks and as a commissioned state bank examiner with the Texas Department of Banking before founding the Bank of Brenham in 2001. He served as the bank’s president … Read more