SWGSB’s 159th Assembly for Bank Directors Set for Palm Springs in February

The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) will convene its 159th Assembly for Bank Directors at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California, February 13–16. The Assemblies for Bank Directors attract bank directors and senior management from across the country to discuss the latest issues affecting the industry. From nationally … Read more

First Financial Bankshares Elects Goodrich Executive Vice President and General Counsel

First Financial Bankshares Inc., the parent company of Abilene-based First Financial Bank, has announced the election of Brian D. Goodrich as executive vice president and general counsel. “We are delighted to welcome Brian to Abilene and the company’s executive management team as the first general counsel for First Financial Bankshares,” says F. Scott Dueser, chairman, … Read more

SW Graduate School of Banking Announces Additions to its Board of Trustees

The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University has added three trustees to its roster: F. Scott Dueser, chairman, president and CEO of Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA and First Financial Bankshares; William R. “Chip” Jenkins, CEO of Louise-based The First State Bank; and Susannah Marshall, bank commissioner of the Arkansas State … Read more

First Financial Bank NA Converts to a State-Chartered Bank

On April 24, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced that Abilene-based First Financial Bank National Association has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a national banking association. The bank began operating under its new charter as First Financial Bank on April 23. In 1889, First Financial Bank was originally chartered as … Read more

SW Graduate School of Banking Outlines 2024 Leadership Development Session

The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) Cox School of Business has released details on its 67th Annual Session, scheduled for May 28–June 7, 2024, in Dallas. SWGSB prepares future leaders in the banking industry for greater responsibilities with peer networking, team-building experiences, living case studies, a tailored curriculum and an … Read more

First Financial Bank NA Applies to Convert to Texas State Charter

Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares Inc. has announced that its subsidiaries, First Financial Bank NA and First Financial Trust and Asset Management Co. NA, have each filed applications with the Texas Department of Banking to convert to a Texas state banking association and a Texas-chartered trust company, respectively. The bank has been a national bank since … Read more

First Financial Bankshares Names Jurado Chief Audit Executive

On September 22, First Financial Bankshares, the financial holding company of Abilene-based First Financial Bank, announced the appointment of Javier Jurado to serve as executive vice president and chief audit executive. He will oversee and execute internal audit planning and reporting, and report directly to the audit committee. Jurado brings more than 19 years of … Read more

Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Outlines 2023 Leadership Development Session

The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) has released details on its 66th Annual Session, scheduled for May 30–June 9, 2023, in Dallas. Commercial loan officers, branch managers, credit analysts, cashiers, mortgage lenders, consumer lenders, operations officers, state and federal regulators and other banking professionals gather each summer on the … Read more

Hickox Succeeds Gordon as First Financial Bankshares’ Chief Financial Officer

On January 10, First Financial Bankshares Inc., the holding company for Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA, announced the election of Michelle S. Hickox as executive vice president and chief financial officer to replace James R. Gordon. Hickox most recently served as chief financial officer of Independent Financial Group Inc. and its subsidiary, McKinney-based Independent Bank. … Read more

Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Outlines 2023 Leadership Development Session

The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) has released details on its 66th Annual Session, scheduled for May 30–June 9, 2023, in Dallas. Commercial loan officers, branch managers, credit analysts, cashiers, mortgage lenders, consumer lenders, operations officers, state and federal regulators and other banking professionals gather each summer on the … Read more