Community Bankers Honor Walters with Heroes and Legends of Texas Community Banking Award

On December 10, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced a new addition to the IBAT Wall of Heroes and Legends of Texas Community Banking: Bob Walters, managing partner of The Bank CEO Network. The Wall of Heroes and Legends is reserved for special individuals who have contributed significantly to the strength of community banking … Read more

Community Bankers Honor Texas First Bank’s Charles and Mary Ellen Doyle with Chairman’s Award

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Charles T. “Chuck” and Mary Ellen Doyle with the IBAT Chairman’s Award. Chuck Doyle, founding director and chairman emeritus of Texas First Bank, as well as chairman of Texas Independent Bancshares, along with his wife, Mary Ellen Doyle, were presented the prestigious award on October 7 during … Read more

Community Bankers Honor Kreps-Colgan & Associates Executive Search Founder with President’s Award

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Kim Kreps-Colgan, founder, president and chief talent officer of Austin-based Kreps-Colgan & Associates Executive Search with the IBAT President’s Award. The award was bestowed to her during IBAT’s recent 50th Annual Convention at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk. The IBAT President’s Award is given at … Read more

Community Banking Association Elects Harris Chair, Names New Executive Committee and Board

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

Community Bankers Launch IBAT Loan Marketplace to Streamline Portfolio Management

On October 3, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that it has teamed up with Community Capital Technology Inc., a newly endorsed provider of the community banking organization, to offer IBAT Loan Marketplace, a digital platform designed to empower Texas community banks to buy, sell, participate in and originate loans more transparently and … Read more

Community Bankers Honor Bussey with Excellence in Leadership Award, Pay Tribute to Palone

During the IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference held this summer in San Antonio, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) presented its annual Excellence in Leadership Award. This year’s recipient was Christy Bussey, chief risk officer at Integrity Bank (in formation) in Houston. To be considered for the Excellence in Leadership Award, one must selflessly promote, … Read more

2024 Five*Star Award Winners Announced by the Independent Bankers Association of Texas

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) has announced this year’s recipients of its coveted Five*Star Award: AccuBranch (tier 1), Advantage Health Plans Trust (tier 2) and Whitley Penn LLP (tier 3). These three IBAT associate members—based on company size—were honored during the association’s 2024 IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference in June in San Antonio. Since … Read more

Patterson Joins Independent Bankers Association of Texas as Digital Compliance Officer

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), based in Austin, recently announced the hiring of Brandy Patterson to serve as digital compliance officer. She comes to IBAT’s Compliance Select program with more than 17 years of community banking experience in fair lending, BSA, real estate appraisal review and the frontline, most notably during her tenure … Read more

In Memoriam: Security State Bank’s Gary Dean Edmiston

Longtime banker and community banking advocate Gary Dean Edmiston, 84, of Odessa passed away on April 26. Edmiston played tennis while attending North Texas State University. Upon graduating, he also found immense joy in his career as a banker in West Texas, becoming president of Security State Bank in 1979 and later being named chief … Read more

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas Moves Headquarters in Austin

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) office has moved from its longtime location at 1700 Rio Grande St. in Austin to its new headquarters in northwest Austin. With this move, the organization has “right-sized our physical space to align with changes in the way we work—with a mix of in-person and remote employees,” according … Read more