TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
By JAMES WHITE, EngageFI Scan the trade publications and conference agendas, and you’ll find a drumbeat of optimism: AI adoption is surging. Two-thirds of financial institutions are now “implementing AI.” Budgets are climbing. Use cases are multiplying. The future, we’re told, has arrived. But the banking industry is celebrating the wrong number. Here’s the problem. … Read more
By JODIE NORQUIST, CIP, CHSP ASCENSUS For decades, the phrase “as long as it’s postmarked by the deadline” has been a comforting refrain in the retirement and health-savings world. When a prior-year IRA contribution is mailed on April 15, or other time-sensitive tax forms are headed to the IRS, the U.S. Postal Service postmark has … Read more
In late March, USA Today and Energage released its fifth annual list of America’s Top Workplaces, which includes several Texas-based banks. A nationwide competition open to organizations with 150 employees or more, Top Workplaces recognizes companies that foster exceptional work cultures. Winners are determined by confidential surveys conducted by Energage, a human resources research and … Read more
Birmingham, Alabama-based Main Street Inc., a printing, marketing and data management firm focused on community banks, recently announced a rebranding initiative reflecting its evolution. Building on its 25-year legacy, the company is unveiling a new logo, an updated website and expanded products and services in 2025. Founded in 1998, Main Street Inc. has partnered with … Read more
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has named two new regional executives whose focus will be deepening relationships with business and community leaders in North Texas and the Austin area to gain greater insight into the economy at the grassroots level. Donald Bowers has been named regional executive for North Texas and Guhan Venkatu has … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) and FedFis, a fintech firm specializing in data transformation for financial institutions, have announced Bankers Helping Bankers, a new bankers-only platform to help community banks survive and thrive. Texas-based FedFis brings more than 40 years of building data in the banking industry, information that can benefit every community … Read more
Effective loan administration will protect margins and balance sheets at banks over the next year as financial institutions handle the effects of the pandemic-induced economic crisis. In any economy—but especially in the current one where borrowers’ financial situations are changing or highly uncertain—financial institution loan administration systems deserve a checkup and, in some cases, an … Read more
On June 4, Caroline Jones, commissioner of the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, announced her retirement, effective August 31. She joined the department in 2008 and was appointed commissioner in 2014. Prior to joining the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, Jones served as in-house counsel for financial institutions for more than 20 years. Her … Read more