TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Corpus Christi-based American Bank has completed its acquisition of San Antonio-based TexStar National Bank after a successful core systems conversion in late March. TexStar National Bank, its clients and six San Antonio-area branches are now fully integrated and part of the American Bank system. The acquisition, which received regulatory approval and became effective in October … Read more
Corpus Christi-based American Bank welcomes Stephen Jukes as senior commercial lending officer. He will work with the bank’s Houston team. He has nearly 40 years of commercial banking and financial services experience. Prior to joining American Bank, Jukes served as executive vice president/corporate banking manager at CommunityBank of Texas NA. He has also worked at Frost … Read more
In late January, Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced the promotion of Amanda De Leon to regional manager. Making the announcement was Mark Meyer, South Texas market president. In her new role, De Leon will be responsible for overseeing branch operations for American Bank’s South Texas market, including all locations in Corpus Christi and its branches … 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
The board of directors at Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank recently announced four promotions in the new year. Raleigh Cosby, senior vice president/commercial lender specializing in real estate, has been elected to serve on Charter Bank’s board of directors. He has been with the bank since 2007 and has more than 37 years of banking experience … Read more
Corpus Christi-based American Bank’s annual Holiday Bear Drive is back and underway. Donations of new stuffed teddy bears will be accepted at any American Bank or TexStar National Bank location through December 31. The stuffed bears are given to children and families who need comfort and support to help rebuild their lives. The bears will … Read more
On November 8, Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced that Byron Bexley has joined the team as vice chairman/San Antonio. In his role as market leader, he will oversee commercial banking activities in San Antonio. Bexley brings more than 40 years of banking experience, most recently serving as chairman and chief executive officer of TexStar National … Read more
Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank has appointed local business leader and former president of the Snappy Foods convenience store chain Mohammad “Moe” Motaghi to its board of directors. Motaghi immigrated to Corpus Christi from Iran in 1977. While in high school, he worked at Whataburger to support himself and his family back home. He eventually worked … Read more
Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced that Eric Vigil has joined the bank as chief compliance officer. Making the announcement was Stephen C. Raffaele, president and CEO. Vigil joins American Bank with more than 12 years of experience in compliance risk management. During his career, he has led teams with responsibility for and oversight of compliance, … Read more
Congratulations to American Bank’s Stephen C. Raffaele and Keystone Bank’s Jeff Wilkinson for being nominated as the top CEO in Central Texas in the Austin Business Journal’s 2022 “Best CEO Awards.” The Austin Business Journal hosts the annual awards to recognize chief executive officers in Central Texas who have a strong record of innovation and … Read more