Community Bankers Honor Whitley Penn’s Murphy with Excellence in Leadership Award

During the IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference held last month in Round Rock, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) presented its annual Excellence in Leadership Award. This year’s recipient was Brett Murphy, audit partner, partner-in-charge of the financial institutions industry and Austin market president at Whitley Penn LLP. To be considered for the Excellence in … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Elects 2026–27 Leadership Division Executive Committee

The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) elected new executive committee members to its board during the 41st Annual Connecting Leaders Conference, held in June at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. Founded in 1985, the IBAT Leadership Division is dedicated to the development of tomorrow’s leaders in community banking. The … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Announces
Recent Officer Promotions

Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced several promotions at its employee awards dinner held in Longview in March. Jorge Acuna was promoted to vice president/commercial lending officer, lending. He has worked for Texas Bank and Trust for the past eight years in the lending division, previously serving as a credit analyst and portfolio manager before … Read more

Community Bankers’ 2026 Connecting Leaders Conference Vital for Tomorrow’s Bank Executives

Registration for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ (IBAT) 41st Annual Connecting Leaders Conference, the IBAT Leadership Division’s flagship event, is now open. Texas community bankers are encouraged to attend the family-friendly event being held June 25–27 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. IBAT’s Connecting Leaders Conference brings together rising community bank leaders for … Read more

First Financial Bank Announces Greater Houston Leadership Appointments

The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced senior leadership changes in its Greater Houston region. Rodney Nabors has been elected regional CEO, Bart Griffith has been promoted to Conroe market president and Brian Bonner has been promoted to executive vice president/senior lender for construction and development. “Rodney, Bart and Brian have … Read more

In Memoriam: Darrell Brown, Former Stepehenville Banker

Darrell Brown pursued numerous career goals during his lifetime—law enforcement, higher education, church leadership, government and public service and banking. “Public service was truly the heart of Darrell Brown,” as his obituary states. He passed away on January 11 in Stephenville. He was 60. Brown fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a police officer in … Read more

City National Bank’s Jirasek and Consultant Reynolds Added to IBAT’s Wall of Heroes and Legends

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced two new additions to the IBAT Wall of Heroes and Legends of Texas Community Banking located at the organization’s headquarters in downtown Austin: James “Jim” Jirasek and Merrill Reynolds. The Wall of Heroes and Legends is reserved for special individuals who have contributed significantly to the strength … Read more

Community Bankers Honor Legend Bank’s Bearden with Excellence in Leadership Award

During the IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference held this summer in Galveston, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) presented its annual Excellence in Leadership Award. This year’s recipient was Jay Bearden, president and CEO of Legend Bank in Decatur. To be considered for the Excellence in Leadership Award, one must selflessly promote, support and serve … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Elects 2025–26 Leadership Division Executive Committee

The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) elected new executive committee members to its board during the 40th Annual Connecting Leaders Conference, held in June at the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston. Click here to view a gallery of photographs from the event. Founded in 1985, the IBAT Leadership Division is … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Elects New Leadership Division Executive Committee

The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) elected new executive committee members to its board during the 39th Annual Connecting Leaders Conference, held in June in San Antonio. Founded in 1985, the IBAT Leadership Division is dedicated to the development of tomorrow’s leaders in community banking. The IBAT Leadership Division’s executive … Read more