TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently announced two promotions and a new hire in the new year. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation with membership comprised of more than 2,000 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities. The organization is celebrating 50 years of service this … Read more
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Thomas Sellers, chairman of the board at Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs, with its 2023 “Excellence in Leadership” Award. He was presented the award during the association’s 49th annual convention held September 16–19 in Frisco. To be considered for the Excellence in Leadership Award, one … Read more
First National Bank of Giddings CEO Bill Landiss with IBAT’s Mae Beth Palone showing their respective allegiances in 2014Mae Beth Palone, who led the IBAT Leadership Division for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas for many years, passed away on June 25 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Palone was born in Klamath Falls, … Read more
Texas community bankers are heading to Capitol Hill in May for the Independent Community Bankers of America’s 2023 Capital Summit and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ 29th Annual Congressional Visit, being held in tandem May 14–17 in Washington, D.C. The purpose is to advocate for the community banking industry in person. It’s the year’s … Read more
Harlan Raymond Heitkamp, founder and former chairman of Corpus Christi-based ValueBank Texas, passed away on February 6. Raised in Bracken, he attended Texas Tech University, earning a master’s degree in civil engineering. After marrying his wife of 64 years, Gerry, in 1958, the couple moved to Corpus Christi where Heitkamp worked for the City of … Read more
Bankers Helping Bankers, an online platform that promotes innovation among community banks, has named Discover Financial Services’ PULSE debit network its exclusive debit partner. The agreement builds upon PULSE’s longstanding support of community banks and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), which co-founded Bankers Helping Bankers in partnership with FedFis. As the exclusive debit … Read more
On December 6, Dr. Charlie McCormick, president of Schreiner University in Kerrville, announced the launch of the university’s new banking program, created to help students navigate rural-focused banking needs in Texas. Schreiner University students will be admitted into the program by the end of their sophomore year. Upon acceptance, they will receive a scholarship for … Read more
Bee Cave-based Keystone Bank raised $18 million in its latest round of funding—with an industry expert noting that its growth makes it one of the fastest-growing banks in the country. The fresh funds will be used to expand the bank’s team, enhance its banking technology and put the four-year-old community bank on track to handle … Read more
As the Bankers Helping Bankers (BHB) network expands, community banks can now participate in BHB’s new Test Pilots program and be among the innovative bankers to test fintech products and services. These screened, early-stage fintech companies need the partnership of banks to establish their viability in providing stable solutions for the banking industry. “The BHB … Read more
Paducah, Kentucky-based Computer Services Inc. (CSI), a leading provider of end-to-end fintech and regtech solutions, has partnered with Bankers Helping Bankers to further the organization’s mission of empowering community banks. Established by FedFis and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) in late 2021, Bankers Helping Bankers connects bankers nationwide so that they can identify … Read more