Will Varo Bank be the Pin that Pops the Fintech Valuation Bubble?

Every banker has read the sensational headlines of massive funding rounds at almost unfathomable valuations for almost any company with a fintech moniker. They also know the narrative; bankers are greedy and dumb, credit unions are slow and can’t innovate, and morally superior (here again) fintechs are here to disrupt the trillion-dollar financial services industry, … Read more

Texas Bankers Foundation Announces 2021 Emerging Leader Honorees

The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA), has announced the 14 recipients of its 2021 Emerging Leader Awards. Each banker was chosen for his/her outstanding qualities by the president, CEO or chair of a TBA-member banking institution. Launched in 2019 by the Texas Bankers Foundation in collaboration with the Bank … Read more

Independent Banker Ranks 2021 Top Community Bank Lenders

In July, Independent Banker, the flagship publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), released its “2021 Top Lenders” list. “Our top lenders made the most of one of the toughest years in recent memory through personal connection, ingenuity and dedication to their communities,” ICBA notes in a recent press release. The survey ranks the … Read more

Oklahoma-based InterBank Hires Zeigler-Petty for Community Development Banking in Fort Worth

Pamela Zeigler-Petty has joined Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based InterBank as senior vice president/community development banking in the bank’s Fort Worth location. She will be responsible for expanding community development lending relationships, enhancing the bank’s community outreach and ensuring that InterBank is positioned to meet the needs of all the communities it serves. InterBank also anticipates that … Read more

Dallas Fed Names Velez Assistant Vice President

Yaira Velez has joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas as an assistant vice president in the banking supervision department, where she will provide strategic leadership for the consumer affairs team. She previously served as manager of consumer affairs at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, where she led nationwide projects to enhance the … Read more

Industry Experts to Speak at 152nd Assembly for Bank Directors in Vail This September

The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) Foundation will convene its 152nd Assembly for Bank Directors at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa in Beaver Creek/Vail, Colorado, September 23–26, 2021. Bank directors and their spouses from across the U.S. will participate in a program that includes strategic planning maven David Kemp, accounting ace … Read more

VeraBank Completes Acquisition of Panola National Bank

Henderson-based VeraBank announced in mid-May that it has completed its acquisition Carthage-based Panola National Bank. Panola National Bank has two locations, Carthage and Marshall, and assets totaling more than $130 million. This transaction expands VeraBank’s footprint into Panola County for the first time and increases its presence in East Texas. “Bringing our two organizations together will be … Read more

Arkansas-based Simmons First National Corp. Announces Senior Leadership Role Changes

On April 22, Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based Simmons First National Corp. announced changes to certain senior leadership roles. The following changes were effective as of April 26. Simmons Bank operates 23 branches in Texas. Bob Fehlman has been named president and chief operating officer of Simmons First National Corp. and Simmons Bank. In these roles, he … Read more

FinTegration Strategist: Community Banking’s Access to the Technology Ecosystem

What if we could predict the weather? On September 5, 1862, this question led James Glaisher to do something no one had ever done before. Along with aeronaut Henry Tracy Coxwell, he stepped into a hot-air balloon and ascended to heights never before reached, almost 36,000 feet. Before eventually passing out due to a lack … Read more

San Antonio’s Broadway Bank Expanding Footprint into Round Rock with New Loan Production Office

San Antonio-based Broadway Bank has announced the opening of a new loan production office (LPO) in Round Rock. The location will offer both business and personal loan products and services, including commercial loans, commercial real estate, business banking, private banking and mortgages. The new LPO is part of the bank’s aggressive plan for growth in … Read more