TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
In late September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Gabe Guerra, president and CEO of Corpus Christi-based Kleberg Bank, has been elected chair of the IBAT board of directors for 2026–27. He officially accepted the position during the association’s 52nd Annual Convention held September 19–22 in San Antonio. In addition to Guerra, … Read more
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and participating member financial institutions awarded more than $1.8 million to 71 community‑based organizations through its Partnership Grant Program (PGP) as the program marks its 30th anniversary. The awards were made in partnership with 44 member institutions in FHLB Dallas’ five‑state district of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, … Read more
East Texas Financial Corp., the bank holding company for Kilgore-based Citizens Bank, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Texas National Bancorporation Inc., the bank holding company for Jacksonville-based Texas National Bank. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. Upon closing, East Texas Financial Corp. will operate as a … Read more
Kilgore-based Citizens Bank has opened its first location in Tyler. The new banking center opened its doors earlier this year and is currently operating as a loan production office with plans to convert to a full-service branch in the near future. To celebrate the opening of the Tyler location, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce … Read more
Longtime banker Blake Boyd, president of Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on April 8. He was 61. He spent the last several years of his life fighting lung cancer, although he never smoked a day in his life. Boyd began his banking career in 1980 at Lubbock National … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2022 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and three other states convened at Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock for the program. Established in 1973, the school offers a blend of traditional academic coursework and interactive lecture sessions hosted … Read more
The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas held its 2022 commencement on June 9 for the 62nd class. SWGSB Foundation trustee Brad Cheves, vice president for development and external affairs at SMU, gave the commencement address on executive education’s role in leadership development. John Hope Bryant, renowned entrepreneur, … Read more
Longtime banker Bobby Ray Glenn passed away peacefully at age 80 on June 1. He was born on January 28, 1942, in Weatherford. His banking career endured for 57 years, beginning at First National Bank in Weatherford. He also worked for Citizens Bank, Merchants & Farmers Bank, Texas Bank and PlainsCapital Bank, from which he … Read more
After 18 years at Kilgore-based Citizens Bank and 50 years in the banking industry, CEO Sammy York will retire at the end of June. A native of Corsicana, York graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS degree in agricultural economics in 1974. He is also a 1981 graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of … Read more
The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, recently announced the 16 recipients of the 2022 Cornerstone Awards and Leader in Financial Education (LiFE) Awards. Each of the banks selected have demonstrated excellence in community involvement or have promoted financial education in their communities. “These awards celebrate the banks and bankers … Read more