Austin Bank Announces Change in Corporate Office

The board of directors of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank announced a change in their corporate office at the November meeting. Jeff Austin Jr. has been elected senior chairman of the board and his son, Jeff Austin III, has been named chairman of the board. This transition continues the Austin family legacy of banking into the fourth generation. … Read more

In Memoriam: Lowell ‘Stretch’ Smith Jr.

Lowell “Stretch” Smith Jr., longtime banker and avid civic supporter in Johnson County, passed away on August 29. He was 88. For decades, he helped lead the First State Bank of Rio Vista. Smith grew up on a family ranch near Rio Vista. Many people knew him as “Stretch,” a nickname acquired from his high … Read more

Spiller Retires from Junction National Bank

After 50 years of extraordinary service and dedication to Junction National Bank and its customers, former bank president Rob Roy Spiller retired on April 1. He will maintain his position as chairman of the board. Spiller was raised on the family ranch near Junction in Kimble County, a ranch he now owns and operates. A … Read more

Eargle Named Chairman of the Board for The National Bank of Texas at Fort Worth

On April 22, Wade Donnell, CEO of The National Bank of Texas at Fort Worth, along with the bank’s board of directors, announced that Steve Eargle has been elected chairman of the board. A board member since 2017, Eargle currently serves on the executive, strategic planning, property and director’s loan committees. Eargle is a founding … Read more

Mississippi-based BancorpSouth Bank to Acquire Texas-based Cadence Bancorporation

On April 12, Tupelo, Mississippi-based BancorpSouth Bank and Houston-based Cadence Bancorporation, the parent company of Cadence Bank NA, jointly announced that they have entered into a merger agreement under which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger with a total market value of more than $6 billion to create a leading Texas and Southeastern … Read more

Swenson Retires as Chairman of Spur Security Bank with 52 Years of Service

Eric Swenson, chairman of the board of Spur Security Bank in Spur, retired in March after 52 years serving the bank. He joined the bank in 1969 as a director and became part of active management as a vice president in 1972. During his tenure, he also served as executive vice president and president of … Read more

Alliance Bank CEO Sellers Named Chairman of Alliance BancShares, Law to Serve as President/CFO and Shurtleff Tapped as Market President

Tom Sellers, CEO of Sulphur Springs-based Alliance Bank, has been named chairman of the board of Alliance BancShares Inc., the bank’s parent company. In addition, James Law, chief financial officer, will assume Sellers’ former role as president of Alliance Bank and remain CFO for the bank and its holdings, and Keith Shurtleff has been promoted … Read more

North Dallas Bank & Trust’s Chairman and CEO Shipman to Retire, Miller to be Named New CEO

On December 15, Dallas-based North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. (NDBT) announced that W. Michael Shipman will retire as chairman of the board and chief executive officer on March 31, 2021. Shipman will be succeeded by the bank’s current president, Larry A. Miller, effective April 1, 2021. “It is fitting that during North Dallas Bank & Trust’s … Read more

Liberty National Bank Appoints Coleman to Board and Names Cecil Chairman

The board of directors of Paris-based Liberty National Bank has announced the promotion of President Carl T. Cecil to board chairman and Senior Vice President Chase Coleman to board member. Cecil will retain both the president and chairman titles. “I am humbled by the confidence the Liberty board has shown in me by promoting me to … Read more