TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has appointed James Ehrlich market president in Kerrville. He brings more than 30 years of experience in commercial banking, private banking and trust, and commercial real estate. His background includes building and managing multi-million-dollar commercial loan portfolios and overseeing $160 million in private banking and trust assets. That experience is enhanced by decades … 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
Killeen-based First National Bank Texas recently marked its 125th anniversary with a celebration recognizing the bank’s long history and continuing role in the communities it serves. Established in 1901—only 19 years after the city of Killeen was established—the bank has grown from a Central Texas community bank into an institution with more than $4.5 billion … Read more
On May 6, Henderson-based VeraBank announced the recipients of its 2026 Scholarship Program, awarding five $2,500 scholarships to exceptional students whose parents are part of the VeraBank family. This year’s scholarship recipients are: Coy Becka, senior at Caldwell High School, Caldwell (son of Melanie Becka); Zachary Leonard, senior at Westlake High School, Austin (son of … Read more
On April 28, Bastrop Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Bastrop-based First National Bank of Bastrop, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Columbus Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Columbus-based The First State Bank, for cash consideration. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. According to … 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
Fort Worth-based TexasBank has hired Matt Duncan to serve as executive vice president/chief credit officer. He brings more than 30 years of experience in community banking and risk management. Duncan’s career spans senior leadership roles in credit administration, enterprise risk management and loan portfolio oversight. Before joining TexasBank, he held executive roles at regional community … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Jon Turgel as senior vice president/commercial banker. He brings more than 30 years of industry experience, with a strong background in relationship‑driven commercial banking and community engagement. In his new role, he will serve businesses across the Kyle-to-Bastrop region and surrounding communities. “Jon brings a strong relationship‑driven mindset, a passion for community … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has strengthened its Central Texas presence with the opening of a new banking center in Boerne and the relocation of its Bulverde-area banking center into a newly constructed facility in Spring Branch. The new Boerne banking center provides full-service personal and business banking with direct access to local specialists. The Bulverde … Read more
In April, Henderson-based VeraBank announced a new commercial banker in Conroe, as well as a new wealth management team member. Billy Brannon has joined the bank as senior vice president/commercial banker at its Conroe location. He was born and raised in Conroe and is excited to return home to support the area where his roots … Read more