TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
On May 6, Henderson-based VeraBank announced the recipients of its 2026 Scholarship Program, awarding five $2,500 scholarships to exceptional students whose parents are part of the VeraBank family. This year’s scholarship recipients are: Coy Becka, senior at Caldwell High School, Caldwell (son of Melanie Becka); Zachary Leonard, senior at Westlake High School, Austin (son of … Read more
Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced several promotions at its employee awards dinner held in Longview in March. Jorge Acuna was promoted to vice president/commercial lending officer, lending. He has worked for Texas Bank and Trust for the past eight years in the lending division, previously serving as a credit analyst and portfolio manager before … Read more
Harry J. “Johnny” Brooks, chair and CEO of Woodville-based Citizens State Bank, has been named 2026 Mr. East Texas as part of the community’s 83rd Annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival in Woodville, held on weekends in March and April. The Dogwood Festival is the longest-running outdoor celebration in Texas. Citizens State Bank has supported it … Read more
In April, Mount Pleasant-based Pilgrim Bank announced that it has hired John Russell to serve as vice president/relationship manager and Ben Taylor has joined the bank as assistant vice president/relationship manager. Prior to joining Pilgrim Bank, Russell spent the better part of 16 years in public education, in both the classroom as an agriculture science … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Jon Turgel as senior vice president/commercial banker. He brings more than 30 years of industry experience, with a strong background in relationship‑driven commercial banking and community engagement. In his new role, he will serve businesses across the Kyle-to-Bastrop region and surrounding communities. “Jon brings a strong relationship‑driven mindset, a passion for community … 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
Pittsburg-based Pilgrim Bank has announced the promotion of Jason Snodgrass to market president/Tyler. He joined the bank in 2018 and currently serves in Mount Pleasant as senior vice president/market leader for Northeast Texas. Pilgrim Bank has steadily expanded its presence across East Texas in recent years, and Snodgrass will play an important role in strengthening the … Read more
In March, Henderson-based VeraBank announced promotions and a new hire for its commercial banking teams in Henderson, Austin and Corsicana. Zach Kuehner, who has been with VeraBank since 2023, has transitioned into the role of commercial banker at the Austin downtown office. He brings a strong foundation in commercial credit, portfolio management and relationship‑focused service … Read more
In early March, Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced that Matthew Spivey has been promoted to market president for its Fort Worth location and Mason Whitmarsh has been promoted to assistant vice president and lending officer. Spivey joined Texas Bank and Trust as a senior vice president and commercial lender in the bank’s Fort Worth … Read more
On February 18, Texas City-based Texas First Bank announced the appointment of nine senior executives to its advisory board of directors. These new advisory directors bring deep expertise and regional ties from across key operational areas, including technology, risk management, retail banking and lending. The advisory directors will provide strategic guidance to the Texas First … Read more