Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Announces 2022 Graduates

The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas held its 2022 commencement on June 9 for the 62nd class. SWGSB Foundation trustee Brad Cheves, vice president for development and external affairs at SMU, gave the commencement address on executive education’s role in leadership development. John Hope Bryant, renowned entrepreneur, … Read more

First Financial Bank Elects Cook Executive Vice President of Marketing

The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares NA, the holding company for First Financial Bank NA, has announced the election of Chris Cook as executive vice president of marketing. The announcement was made by Ron Butler, executive vice president/chief administrative officer. Cook spent 22 years at Texas Tech University working closely with the … Read more

First Financial Bank Taps Thompson as CEO of Bryan/College Station Region

Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA announced the promotion of Nora P. Thompson to chief executive officer of the bank’s Bryan/College Station region. She was promoted to president of the region earlier this year and now has been named CEO to replace Ivan M. Olson, who retired earlier this summer. Thompson has more than 30 years … Read more

Texas Tech School of Banking Salutes 35 Bankers Completing the 2021 Program

The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2021 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and four other states traveled to the 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 … Read more

Texas Bankers Foundation Announces 2021 50-Year Banker Honorees

The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, has announced the 22 recipients of the 2021 50-Year Banker Awards. Each of the bankers selected is recognized for his/her exemplary and long-standing service to the banking industry. Launched in 1989 by the Texas Bankers Association, the 50-Year Banker Awards honor the men and … Read more

Texas Bankers Foundation Announces 2021 Emerging Leader Honorees

The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA), has announced the 14 recipients of its 2021 Emerging Leader Awards. Each banker was chosen for his/her outstanding qualities by the president, CEO or chair of a TBA-member banking institution. Launched in 2019 by the Texas Bankers Foundation in collaboration with the Bank … Read more

Georgia-Based Cadence Bank Pledges $500,000 to Texas Southern University

On March 1, Texas Southern University (TSU) announced a $500,000 pledge of support for its Jesse H. Jones School of Business (JHJSB) from Atlanta, Georgia-based Cadence Bank. The three-year pledge will support the school’s new Future Bankers Leadership Program (FBLP), set to launch this fall. The new academic program gives students direct exposure to commercial banking. … Read more

First Financial Named One of America’s Best Banks by Newsweek

Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares has announced that its subsidiary, First Financial Bank NA, has been named to Newsweek magazine’s inaugural listing of “America’s Best Banks 2021.” Newsweek’s ranking recognizes the financial institutions that best serve their customers’ needs in each state. First Financial Bank was recognized as the No. 1 bank in Texas. The announcement … Read more

First Financial Bank Elects Schulz Executive Vice President of Human Resources

The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA has announced the election of Pat Schulz as executive vice president of human resources. The announcement was made by Ron Butler, chairman and CEO of First Financial Bank, Abilene. Schulz comes to First Financial Bank with more than 30 years of experience as a chief … Read more