TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2026 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. This year, 24 community banks participated in the program, with 42 entries receiving awards. Now in its 35th year, the Best of Community Banking Awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of IBAT member banks … Read more
On July 16, The Woodlands-based Woodforest National Bank announced the appointment of Julie V. Mayrant as chief executive officer. A banking executive with more than 30 years of experience at the bank, she has played a defining role in its growth, operational excellence and customer-focused culture. Most recently, Mayrant served as president and chief community … Read more
Jacksonville-based Austin Bank hired three team members in April, as announced by Jeff Austin III, chair. Dan Taylor has joined the bank as senior vice president/relationship manager in the Creekside Park location. He has a varied background in finance, banking, real estate, aviation and entrepreneurship. With two decades of experience in banking, he joins Austin … Read more
The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced senior leadership changes in its Greater Houston region. Rodney Nabors has been elected regional CEO, Bart Griffith has been promoted to Conroe market president and Brian Bonner has been promoted to executive vice president/senior lender for construction and development. “Rodney, Bart and Brian have … Read more
In April, Henderson-based VeraBank announced a new commercial banker in Conroe, as well as a new wealth management team member. Billy Brannon has joined the bank as senior vice president/commercial banker at its Conroe location. He was born and raised in Conroe and is excited to return home to support the area where his roots … Read more
On March 9, Journey Financial Group Inc. and Houston-based Lone Star Bank jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Journey will acquire Lone Star. The transaction is expected to close late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter of 2026. Journey Financial Group is led by Dean O. … Read more
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
Natalie Saikowski Goertz has joined Texas City-based Texas First Bank to serve as senior vice president and director of treasury management. An Athena Leadership Award recipient, she brings extensive experience in corporate and public fund banking to the bank’s treasury management team in The Woodlands. Before joining Texas First Bank, Goertz was president and CEO … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Will Metcalf to serve as business development officer at its Conroe branch. Joining the team in July, he brings 18 years of experience in the banking industry. A longtime Conroe resident and public servant, Metcalf has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2015 and remains actively involved in both … Read more
On November 18, Natchitoches, Louisiana-based Grant Bancshares Inc., the holding company for BOM Bank, announced the completion of its acquisition of nine American State Bank locations across Texas. The acquired locations include branches in Haslam, Timpson, Center, Lufkin, Huntington, Chester and Conroe. With the expansion, BOM Bank now operates 26 branches and two operations facilities across … Read more