TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS



Louisiana-based Origin Bank Adds Haygood and Grimm to East Texas Commercial Banking Team 

Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has hired Scott Haygood as commercial relationship manager/regional executive vice president and Merritt Grimm as commercial relationship banker/senior vice president, serving the East Texas region. They will office at Origin Bank’s Longview Financial Center at 3805 N. Spur 63. “They were both born and raised [in East Texas], and they’ve strengthened … Read more

El Paso’s WestStar Names Candia Director of Accounting

El Paso-based WestStar has named Marcela Candia vice president/director of accounting. In her role, she oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and internal controls and works with senior leadership to support the bank’s financial objectives. Candia joined WestStar in 2022 and has more than 20 years of accounting experience across multiple industries. During her … Read more

Louisiana-based Origin Bank Welcomes Klein, Merritt and Reily to Dallas Team 

Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has hired three banking professionals to join its team in North Texas. John Klein joins Origin Bank as a relationship manager at its Preston Financial Center in Dallas. He has more than 21 years of experience in banking, specializing in real estate, middle-market and small-business lending. Klein earned a BA degree … Read more

Community Banking Leader Releases Book on the Stewardship Responsibilities of the CFO

After 40 years in accounting and finance—including 20 years serving as a chief financial officer and leadership roles within community banking—Eric R. Alexander is releasing a new book, Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin’ Accountants: Serving as the CFO, on July 31 through Koehler Books. Written for chief financial officers, aspiring CFOs, CEOs and other senior leaders, the book … Read more

Fort Worth’s Trinity Bank Appoints Hegi Chief Financial Officer

In May, Fort Worth-based Trinity Bank NA announced that Mindy Hegi has joined the executive management team as chief financial officer. She brings more than 20 years of executive-level financial and operational leadership experience in community banking. Before joining Trinity Bank, Hegi served as vice president of corporate finance for State National Bancshares from 2001 … Read more

First Liberty Bank Adds Former American National Bank of Texas Executive to Board

The Liberty-based The First Liberty Bank board of directors has elected Robert Messer to the board. He brings more than four decades of financial and executive leadership experience, having served as senior executive vice president/chief financial officer of the American National Bank of Texas prior to his retirement. At American National Bank, he was responsible … Read more

El Paso’s WestStar Bank Announces Four April Promotions

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

Jacobson Joins Oklahoma-based InterBank as Chief Financial Officer

Shalene Jacobson has joined Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based InterBank to serve as chief financial officer. She will be headquartered at the bank’s Fort Worth office. C.K. Lee, president and CEO, announced the new hire. Jacobson will lead the accounting, financial reporting, funds management, financial planning and analysis functions, as well as chair the bank’s asset/liability committee. Jacobson … Read more

Texas Community Bancshares and Broadstreet Bank Announce Chief Financial Officer Transition

On November 13, Texas Community Bancshares Inc., the holding company of Mineola-based Broadstreet Bank SSB, announced the retirement of Julie Sharff and the appointment of Jason McCrary as chief financial officer, effective December 1. During her tenure of over 28 years with the company and the bank, Sharff has been an integral part of shaping … Read more

SouthStar Bank Welcomes Bourland as Senior Vice President of Lending in Bee Cave

Steven Bourland has joined Moulton-based SouthStar Bank’s Bee Cave team as a senior vice president of lending. He has more than three decades of experience in the finance industry and has expertise across several areas of lending, with an emphasis on commercial loans and commercial real estate loans. Bourland previously served as senior vice president … Read more