TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
To honor regional banks that positively impact their communities, Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group publish an annual list of “America’s Best Regional Banks [and Credit Unions]”* every December. The publication’s 2025 list includes 46 regional banks that operate in Texas, with 39 banks based in the Lone Star State. As Newsweek states, “Regional banks…are the … Read more
In early October, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Tracy Harris, chief strategic planning and project officer at Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank, has been elected chair of the IBAT board of directors for 2024–25. She officially accepted the position during the association’s 50th Annual Convention held October 5–8 in San Antonio. In … Read more
The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, has announced the recipients of its 2024 Cornerstone and Leader in Financial Education (LiFE) Awards. Each of the banks or bankers selected has demonstrated excellence in community involvement or has promoted financial education in its communities. The awards were presented during the May … Read more
The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) recently announced the elected officers and directors for the 2024–25 board: Chair Jan Mills, First National Bank of Winnsboro; Vice Chair Ron Butler, First Financial Bank in Abilene; Treasurer William Lucas, Shelby Savings Bank in Center; and Past Chair A. Ford Sasser III, of Rio Bank in McAllen. The officers’ … Read more
Jess Laird, vice chairman of Athens-based First State Bank, is retiring on March 12 after 36 years of service. Laird began his banking career with First State Bank in 1988 as a loan officer. In 1999, he was named president and chief executive officer. In 2019, he was elected vice chairman by the First State … Read more
On September 18, Bowie-based Legend Bank received the Best of Show honor during the 2023 Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards presented by the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). The Awards Luncheon, held as part of the organization’s 49 Annual Convention in Frisco, recognized the top 17 recipients of IBAT’s 2023 BOCB Awards. This … Read more
On August 7, Athens-based First State Bank broke ground on a new full-service banking center in Forney. Construction of the 4,278-square-foot facility is targeted for completion by the end of the year. Bank executives, along with general contractors with the SLI Group Inc., a fully integrated commercial design firm specializing in financial institutions, were on … Read more
Athens-based First State Bank has announced the hiring of two bankers to serve as senior vice presidents in lending: Blake Laird and J.D. King. With 15 years of experience in Texas community banking, Laird previously served as vice president and relationship manager at Austin Bank in Tyler. He holds a BS degree in economics from Texas … Read more
The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) recently announced the elected officers and directors for the 2023–24 board. The officers elected are Chair David W. Osborn, WestStar Bank in El Paso; Vice Chair Jan Mills, First National Bank of Winnsboro; and Treasurer Ron Butler, First Financial Bank in Abilene. The officers’ terms run from June 1, 2023, … Read more
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Brad Curlee and reappointed Michael A. Neill to the School Land Board for terms set to expire on August 29, 2023. The board manages the acquisition, sale and mineral leasing of the lands that comprise the Permanent School Fund, which contributes billions of dollars each year to public education … Read more