TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
On March 5, Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust announced key hires and promotions across multiple locations. This news comes in addition to the bank’s recent announcement that Craig Berry is succeeding Dwight Berry in the role of president; Dwight Berry will continue serving as chief executive officer and Craig Berry will continue as … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University (SWGSB) has announced its highest honors of the year. Michael G. O’Rourke, president and CEO of TIB, will be honored with the 2026 Distinguished Service Award and J. Carter Tolleson, CEO of Tolleson Wealth Management, will be honored with the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Award. The … Read more
As Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust celebrates 50 years of service, it has announced a strategic leadership transition. Dwight Berry is continuing his tenure as chief executive officer, while Craig Berry has assumed the role of president, maintaining his responsibilities as chief lending officer. Dwight Berry, who joined the bank in 1981, has … Read more
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
On February 25, Denver, Colorado-based FirstSun Capital Bancorp and Irving-based First Foundation Inc. jointly announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has approved the merger of their respective bank subsidiaries, Dallas-based Sunflower Bank NA and Irvine, California-based First Foundation Bank, with Sunflower Bank NA continuing as the surviving bank. Completion of the … Read more
San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank has opened its newest full-service banking center at Quarry Heights. Located at 7373 Broadway, Ste. 100, in northeast San Antonio, the new branch began serving customers on February 9 with a grand opening celebration planned for March. The 3,200-square-foot office is led by Lexie Lopez, banking services manager, and supported by … Read more
On January 28, Prosperity Bancshares Inc., the parent company of El Campo-based Prosperity Bank, and Stellar Bancorp Inc., the parent holding company of Houston-based Stellar Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Prosperity will acquire Stellar and Stellar Bank. Established in 2007, Stellar Bank operates 52 banking offices in greater Houston, Beaumont … Read more
Clara Edwards retired from Lubbock-based City Bank’s Monahans branch on December 31, 2025—capping a career that spanned 77 years. “We are so proud of Clara and all she has done in her 77 years of banking,” Cory T. Newsom, CEO, told KCBD News in Lubbock. “She is an extraordinary example of someone who puts her … Read more
On January 27, the boards of First Financial Bankshares Inc. and Abilene-based First Financial Bank announced the promotion of David Bailey to CEO of both entities. The position was previously held by F. Scott Dueser, who will continue to serve as executive chairman of both boards. “David has been with the company for more than … Read more
In the new year, San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank announced key executive promotions upon the retirement of Danny Butler, the bank’s longtime president and CEO, who retired at the end of 2025. Butler retired after 26 years of service at Jefferson Bank and nearly 50 years in the banking industry. Under his leadership, the bank expanded … Read more