Texas Banking Commissioner Approves Houston Bank & Trust De Novo Charter

On May 22, Charles G. Cooper, commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking, announced the opening of Houston-based Houston Bank & Trust, the first de novo state bank charter approved since April 2022. The bank is anticipated to serve customers primarily in the Houston MSA, with a focus on Harris and Montgomery counties. Houston Bank … Read more

First National Bank Texas in Killeen Celebrates 125 Years

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

Dogwood Festival Names Citizens State Bank CEO ‘Mr. East Texas’

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

First Community Bank in Corpus Christi to Acquire First National Bank in Port Lavaca  

Coastal Bend Bancshares, the holding company for Corpus Christi-based First Community Bank, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Port Lavaca-based First National Bank. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026. “Our roots along the Texas Gulf Coast run deep at First Community Bank,” notes Wes Hoskins, First Community … Read more

Zalman Named President of Texas Gulf Bank

On April 6, Texas Gulf Bancshares Inc., parent company of Houston-based Texas Gulf Bank NA, announced that Chase Zalman has been appointed president of Texas Gulf Bank, effective immediately. Zalman brings more than 20 years of banking leadership experience to the new position. He joins the bank from Prosperity Bank, for which he most recently … Read more

Lubbock’s Peoples Bank Names Brockman Rural Markets President

Larry Allen, area chairman of Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, has announced the promotion of Marcus Brockman to rural markets president. He has been with Peoples Bank for 21 years. Brockman grew up in Nazareth and helped open the Peoples Bank branch there. He has been serving customers in that community as a lender since the Nazareth … Read more

Susser Bank’s Parent Company Redomiciles from Maryland to Texas

Susser Banc Holdings Corp., the parent company of Dallas-based Susser Bank, announced that it has redomiciled from Maryland to Texas. The move formally aligns the company’s corporate governance with its Texas-based banking franchise, client base and long-term growth strategy. The redomicile does not change the company’s leadership, strategy or daily operations. “Our family began doing … Read more

Pilgrim Bank Promotes Snodgrass to Tyler Market President

Pittsburg-based Pilgrim Bank has announced the promotion of Jason Snodgrass to market president/Tyler. He joined the bank in 2018 and currently serves in Mount Pleasant as senior vice president/market leader for Northeast Texas. Pilgrim Bank has steadily expanded its presence across East Texas in recent years, and Snodgrass will play an important role in strengthening the … Read more

SW Graduate School of Banking Announces 2026 Distinguished Service and Distinguished Alumnus Awards

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

Jacksonville-based Austin Bank Opens Full-service Branch in Willis

Jacksonville-based Austin Bank and the Conroe/Lake Conroe and Huntsville/Walker County Area Chambers of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new full-service banking center in Willis. The February 25 ceremony was well attended by both chambers, along with business leaders, the Austin Bank leadership team and bank employees. The new office … Read more