TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
After more than 40 years of service in community banking, Tindle Ramon is retiring in 2026, concluding a career that helped shape modern banking across the Texas Panhandle. He currently serves as executive vice president/chief financial officer at Guymon, Oklahoma-based Panhandle First Bank, a bank launched in 2024 following the merger of First National Bank … Read more
On February 24, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced the appointment of John Morales as executive vice president of information technology and chief information officer. He brings decades of federal senior executive leadership experience overseeing complex, mission-critical organizations and large multidisciplinary teams. Most recently, Morales served as a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent in charge, … Read more
Houston-based Amegy Bank announced the promotion of three long-standing leaders—Adam Traweek, Amanda Erebia and Ray Smaistrla—to executive vice president. Adam Traweek was promoted to commercial lending manager/executive vice president, overseeing the Southwest commercial banking team. He joined the bank 19 years ago and has held several leadership roles, including co-sponsor of the banker development program … Read more
Pawhuska, Oklahoma-based Blue Sky Bank has hired Chris Shaw to serve as East Dallas market president. He joins the team with more than 25 years of experience in commercial, industrial and business banking. Before joining Blue Sky Bank, Shaw was with b1Bank for more than eight years, capping his tenure there as Dallas market president. … Read more
On January 27, the boards of First Financial Bankshares Inc. and Abilene-based First Financial Bank announced the promotion of David Bailey to CEO of both entities. The position was previously held by F. Scott Dueser, who will continue to serve as executive chairman of both boards. “David has been with the company for more than … Read more
In the new year, San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank announced key executive promotions upon the retirement of Danny Butler, the bank’s longtime president and CEO, who retired at the end of 2025. Butler retired after 26 years of service at Jefferson Bank and nearly 50 years in the banking industry. Under his leadership, the bank expanded … Read more
On January 2, Investar Holding Corp., the holding company of Investar Bank NA, announced the completion of its acquisition of Wichita Falls Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Wichita Falls-based First National Bank. An agreement relating to the acquisition was announced last July. The acquisition became effective as of January 1. As of December 31, … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has a new home in Round Rock. The bank has moved a branch from 902 Palm Valley Blvd. to 2300 S. Interstate 35 and opened its new doors on December 15. To celebrate the new location, VeraBank will host an open house and ribbon-cutting this spring. “This move is about making banking easier … Read more
On December 19, Farmers Branch-based TIB NA announced several officer promotions: Alicia Garrison has been promoted to executive vice president and retains the title of chief credit officer and deputy chief risk officer. She will now serve on TIB’s executive team. She joined TIB in 2006 as a credit analyst. Garrison earned a BA degree … Read more
Birmingham, Alabama-based ServisFirst Bank recently announced its expansion into Texas with the opening of a new office in Houston. To lead the bank’s entry into the Lone Star State, the bank has appointed Christopher Dvorachek as regional CEO, Texas and executive vice president. He brings three decades of commercial banking experience. He is a graduate … Read more