TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
In April, Raleigh, North Carolina-based First Citizens Bank announced that Chris Stringer has been named area executive for the Dallas/Fort Worth market. A Texas native, he has nearly 30 years of experience serving clients across the metroplex. First Citizens Bank operates nine locations in Texas and employs approximately 200 associates in the North Texas region. … Read more
Kerrville-based Guadalupe Bank has hired Lydia Gonzales to expand its commercial lending presence in San Antonio. She will serve as executive vice president of commercial lending. A San Antonio native with more than 28 years of banking experience, Gonzales most recently served as executive vice president/market president at Blue Sky Bank, leading commercial operations and … Read more
Harry J. “Johnny” Brooks, chair and CEO of Woodville-based Citizens State Bank, has been named 2026 Mr. East Texas as part of the community’s 83rd Annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival in Woodville, held on weekends in March and April. The Dogwood Festival is the longest-running outdoor celebration in Texas. Citizens State Bank has supported it … Read more
In April, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced four promotions. Mara Portillo has been promoted to senior vice president/compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer. With more than 16 years of experience in the banking industry, including 14 years at WestStar Bank, she will expand her leadership role by overseeing the bank’s CRA initiatives. Portillo will … Read more
Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust has promoted three executives and hired a fourth. “As we continue to grow, it is essential to recognize and elevate the leaders who have helped build our success,” says Craig Berry, president and chief lending officer. Damon Whatley has been promoted to executive vice president. His banking career began … Read more
Bank of Texas has announced two new hires to serve private wealth banking customers in the Fort Worth office. Their role will focus on building new client relationships and maintaining strong relationships with high-net-worth clients and businesses in and around Tarrant County. Greg Irwin joins the bank with more than 20 years of banking experience … Read more
Danny Butler, president and CEO of San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank, recently announced the addition of two commercial bankers to its San Antonio and New Braunfels teams. They will develop loan and deposit relationships with small- to middle-market companies and associations, managing the loan process, credit underwriting, documentation and portfolio management. Oscar Tijerina has joined the … Read more
Jacob Cavazos, senior vice president/community reinvestment manager at San Antonio-based Broadway Bank, has been named one of 12 national recipients of the American Bankers Association’s (ABA) 2024 “Emerging Leader Award.” This annual program honors rising bank leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment to excellence, innovation and service to their industry and communities. “This year’s ABA Emerging … Read more