TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Abilene-based First Financial Bank opened a new full-service branch in Bee Cave in late October. The new branch expands the company’s presence into Central Texas and the greater Austin area. First Financial has maintained a mortgage loan production office in Bee Cave since 2020. The new full-service branch is the company’s 81st location and will operate … Read more
Omaha, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Southern Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Moulton-based SouthStar Bank. SouthStar Bank has $1.35 billion in assets with 16 full-service locations in Central Texas: Austin, Bee Cave, Brazoria, Bremond, Calvert, Franklin, Georgetown, Gonzales, Harker Heights, Hearne, Kerrville, Leander, Moulton, Round Rock and Shiner. In … Read more
On October 7, Third Coast Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Humble-based Third Coast Bank, and Great Plains Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Great Plains National Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Third Coast will acquire Great Plains in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Brad Tidwell and Claire Renzetti with the IBAT Chairman’s Award. The IBAT Chairman’s Award is the association’s highest honor, recognizing individuals whose contributions extend beyond service to IBAT and demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the community banking industry as a whole. IBAT’s 2025–26 Chair Greg Wilson, … Read more
Round Rock-based R Bank has hired Will Matthews to serve as market president in Round Rock. A member of the University of Texas’ Rose Bowl-winning football team and a former player for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, he developed a strong foundation in discipline, teamwork and relationship-building. Following his football career, he worked in nonprofit fundraising, … Read more
Houston-based Amegy Bank has appointed Alex Rasmussen as executive vice president and private banking manager for Central Texas. In this role, he will lead a team of private bankers and relationship managers serving clients across the Austin/San Antonio corridor. Based in San Antonio, Rasmussen will oversee growth initiatives across the region while delivering customized private banking, … Read more
Fort Worth-based TexasBank announced several executive leadership appointments in July. Bill Wade has joined TexasBank to serve as chief operating officer, bringing extensive executive leadership experience in banking operations, technology, strategic planning, project management, process improvement and large-scale transformation initiatives. Throughout his career, he has led organizations through significant growth. As COO, Wade will oversee … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank recently hired two relationship bankers, one in San Antonio and one in Round Rock. Justin Vohs has joined the bank as senior vice president/senior relationship manager, based at its Round Rock office located at 400 Sundance Pkwy. He brings more than 16 years of banking and financial services experience, with a strong … Read more
On August 3, Columbus, Ohio-based The Huntington National Bank announced the appointment of Blake Absher as Central Texas division president. Based in Austin, he will lead the bank’s client strategy and growth across Austin, San Antonio, Waco and Bryan/College Station. The Huntington National Bank has 145 banking offices in Texas. Absher brings more than 20 … Read more
On June 16, Fredericksburg-based Security State Bank & Trust announced the appointment of Tish Perez as president and a member of the board of directors during the bank’s 85th anniversary year. She becomes the first woman to serve as president and on the bank board. Perez will oversee Security State Bank’s operations, marketing, credit, treasury solutions, … Read more