TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Houston-based Amegy Bank has promoted Bobby Little to executive vice president of commercial banking. He will lead the bank’s expansion across Collin, Denton and Grayson counties as Amegy Bank continues expanding its presence in North Texas, including the recent opening of its first Frisco office at Hall Park. “Collin, Denton and Grayson counties continue to … Read more
Laredo-based IBC Bank has promoted Juan A. “John” Villarreal to executive vice president of IBC Bank–Laredo, recognizing his nearly four decades of service, banking expertise and commitment to the Laredo community. Villarreal began his career with IBC Bank in 1988 as a credit analyst. He was promoted to commercial lender in 1992 and has since … Read more
Omaha, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Southern Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Moulton-based SouthStar Bank. SouthStar Bank has $1.35 billion in assets with 16 full-service locations in Central Texas: Austin, Bee Cave, Brazoria, Bremond, Calvert, Franklin, Georgetown, Gonzales, Harker Heights, Hearne, Kerrville, Leander, Moulton, Round Rock and Shiner. In … Read more
On October 7, Third Coast Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Humble-based Third Coast Bank, and Great Plains Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Great Plains National Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Third Coast will acquire Great Plains in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately … Read more
In August, Laredo-based IBC Bank announced the promotion of two longtime employees to market president positions in Laredo and San Antonio. Nativido “Nati” Lozano has been promoted to market president of IBC Bank–Laredo. Prior to his promotion, Lozano, who has more than 25 years of banking experience, oversaw the commercial lending division for the Laredo … Read more
College Station-based American Momentum Bank has launched a formal Energy Finance Division, expanding its commitment to serving companies across Texas’ energy sector and building on the bank’s existing relationships in the industry. American Momentum Bank has long served customers in the sector, particularly upstream oil and gas companies and energy service businesses. “Energy continues to … Read more
Round Rock-based R Bank has promoted Cole McDonald to executive vice president and chief operating officer. Since joining the bank in 2024, he has quickly established himself as a respected leader and trusted resource across the organization. Prior to joining R Bank, McDonald served on the commercial lending team at VeraBank for almost four years. … Read more
On September 14, Houston-based Third Coast Bank announced the appointment of Bernardo “Bernie” Lacayo as executive vice president/head of corporate banking. He joined the bank in March. Lacayo brings more than three decades of banking and financial services experience, with a track record of building corporate and middle-market banking businesses, developing specialized lending capabilities and … Read more
On September 17, WestStar Bank announced the promotion of Trish Marquez to executive vice president and chief commercial banking officer. In her new role, she will lead the bank’s commercial lending, construction lending and treasury management teams. Marquez brings more than 41 years of banking experience to the position, including extensive leadership experience in commercial … Read more
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