April 25–May 1, 2021

Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that it has approved an application by Happy State Bank, based in Happy, to acquire First National Bank of Tahoka, based in Tahoka. The TDB reports that Peoples Bank, based in Lubbock, has acquired First Bank & Trust, based in Seymour. Branches The OCC reports that Amarillo National Bank, … Read more

April 18–24, 2021

Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Happy State Bank, based in Happy, has applied to acquire First National Bank of Tahoka, based in Tahoka. The TDB reports that Commercial Bank of Texas National Association, based in Nacogdoches, has acquired a branch from Texas Bank and Trust Co., based in Longview. The branch is located at 102 W. … Read more

S&P Global Market Intelligence Ranks the Best-Performing Community Banks for 2020

S&P Global Market Intelligence released its annual rankings for 2020’s best-performing community banks with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion and community banks with assets less than $3 billion, as well as top-performing credit unions. “Despite going through a challenging year filled with economic uncertainty, we have seen community banks and credit unions play … Read more

Happy State Bank to Acquire First National Bank of Tahoka

On December 11, J. Pat Hickman, chairman of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank, and Frederick B. Hegi Jr., chairman of Tahoka-based First National Bank of Tahoka (FNB), announced that Happy State Bank is acquiring First National Bank of Tahoka through a merger. FNB Tahoka holds approximately $56 million in total assets and has one location in … Read more

Rawls College of Business Establishes E.W. & J. David Williams Institute for Community Banking & Finance

With approval from the Texas Tech University System’s Board of Regents at its October 16 meeting, Texas Tech University’s Jerry S. Rawls College of Business has established the E.W. & J. David Williams Institute for Community Banking & Finance. Made possible by a generous gift from longtime Texas Tech supporter and community bank executive J. … Read more

Texas Panhandle Boasts Numerous ‘Best Banks to Work For’ in 2020

American Banker, along with Best Companies Group, recently cited 85 financial institutions across the U.S. as inductees on its 2020 “Best Banks to Work For” list. The recognition honors U.S. banks for outstanding employee satisfaction. It’s no surprise that a number of Texas-based community banks are included on the list. What’s interesting, though, is the … Read more

Happy State Bank to Acquire First Bank of Muleshoe

In a joint statement on October 29, J. Pat Hickman, chairman of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank, and Tommy Gunstream, chairman of Muleshoe-based Muleshoe Bancshares Inc., announced that Happy State Bank is acquiring Muleshoe Bancshares Inc. and its subsidiary, First Bank of Muleshoe, through a series of mergers. A Texas state bank, First Bank of Muleshoe … Read more

Texas Community Banks Honored with Best of Community Banking Awards

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored 17 Texas community banks with Best of Community Banking Awards. This year marks the 29th annual celebration of the outstanding accomplishments of IBAT member banks and the critical role they play in communities across Texas. “Community banks do so much for their customers, neighbors and employees, … Read more