Newsweek’s List of ‘America’s Best Regional Banks’ Includes 46 Banks in Texas

To honor regional banks that positively impact their communities, Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group publish an annual list of “America’s Best Regional Banks [and Credit Unions]”* every December. The publication’s 2025 list includes 46 regional banks that operate in Texas, with 39 banks based in the Lone Star State. As Newsweek states, “Regional banks…are the … Read more

FHLB Dallas and Eight Member Financial Institutions Award $283K to Dallas/Fort Worth Nonprofits

Representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and eight of its members awarded $283,000 in grants to eight nonprofit organizations in Dallas and Fort Worth. The awards were part of more than $1.2 million awarded to community groups through the Partnership Grant Program (PGP) and were celebrated during an event on … Read more

Arkansas-based Centennial Bank Names Tipton CEO, Hester President

Home BancShares Inc. and its subsidiary, Conway, Arkansas-based Centennial Bank, have announced changes to its management team as the bank celebrates 25 years in business. Stephen Tipton has been named chief executive officer of Centennial Bank. In addition to the role of chief lending officer, Kevin Hester has been named president of both Home BancShares and … Read more

Victory Bank Opens for Business in Lubbock

On October 16, Lubbock-based Victory Bank opened its doors for business following the successful acquisition of Security State Bank of Winters by Victory Financial Corp., the new bank’s holding company. Victory Bank’s headquarters are located at 4710 4th St. in Lubbock. The company is led by former Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope, executive chair; C. Brett … Read more

Texas Banks Touted in Forbes’ List of the ‘Best Banks in the World 2023’

Forbes has released its fifth annual list of the “World’s Best Banks,” with numerous banks headquartered and/or doing business in Texas making the cut. Of the 75 banks based in the U.S., at least 16 of them operate in the Lone Star State. San Antonio-based USAA Federal Savings Bank topped the list of U.S.-based banks. … Read more

Arkansas-based Home BancShares Names Hickman to Board

On April 22, Home BancShares Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Conway, Arkansas-based Centennial Bank, announced that J. Pat Hickman, former chairman of Amarillo-based Happy Bancshares Inc., has been appointed to the company’s board of directors as contemplated by the merger agreement for the company’s acquisition of Happy Bancshares, which was completed on April 1. … Read more

Home BancShares Completes Acquisition of Happy Bancshares

On April 1, Home BancShares Inc., the parent company of Conway, Arkansas-based Centennial Bank, announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Happy Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank, pursuant to the terms of a definitive agreement and plan of merger whereby, in a series of transactions, an acquisition … Read more

Home BancShares Receives State Approval for Merger with Happy Bancshares

On December 16, Home BancShares Inc., the parent company of Conway, Arkansas-based Centennial Bank, announced that it has received approval from the Arkansas State Banking Board and the Arkansas State bank commissioner of its applications for the previously announced merger with Happy Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank. On December 15, … Read more

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

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