First Financial Bankshares and First Financial Bank Announce Executive Promotions

On November 20, the board of Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares Inc. announced promotions for First Financial Bankshares and First Financial Bank. These promotions—part of the company’s ongoing management succession plan the board has been working on for several years—will be effective January 1, 2025. Ron Butler II was promoted to vice chair of the executive … 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

Arizpe Joins First Financial Bank for Commercial Relationship Banking in Bryan/College Station

Abilene-based First Financial Bank recently hired Andrew Arizpe to serve as senior vice president/commercial relationship manager. He will support lending and banking needs for businesses in the Bryan/College Station region. Arizpe’s career has included stints as a vice president/commercial lender at Cadence Bank, Mutual of Omaha Bank and Allegiance Bank, all in Houston. Most recently, he was … Read more

Texas Bankers Foundation Announces 2024 Emerging Leader Honorees

In May, the Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA), announced the 10 recipients of its 2024 Emerging Leader Awards. Each of the bankers selected was chosen by a TBA member banking institution president, CEO or chairman of the board and recognized for his or her outstanding qualities. Launched in … 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 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 Bank’s New Franklin Location Marks Bank’s 80th in Texas

Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA has opened a new location in Frankin—its 80th Texas branch. The Franklin branch extends the bank’s reach in the Bryan/College Station region to six locations. Located at 100 W. Decherd, Suite C, the new walk-in facility is an expansion in services from the previous loan production office that opened earlier … 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

First Financial Bank Opens 79th Branch in Texas

Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA recently opened its 79th branch, a 3,300-square foot location in Lumberton. The addition extends the bank’s Southeast Texas region’s reach further north into Hardin County. The region also has locations in Orange, Vidor, Mauriceville, Newton, Port Arthur and Beaumont. First Financial Bank expanded its footprint into Southeast Texas in 2013, … Read more

Fifty-six Bankers Complete 2022 Texas Tech School of Banking Program

The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2022 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and three other states convened at Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock for the program. Established in 1973, the school offers a blend of traditional academic coursework and interactive lecture sessions hosted … Read more