SWGSB and IBAT to Host Certified Community Bank Director’s Program in October in Dallas

Board education and training are essential best practices in the new era of community banking. Regulatory expectations and wise management demand a skill set that many directors lack. The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation (SWGSB) and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) have recognized this and offer the Certified Community Bank Director’s (CCBD) … Read more

Community Bankers Prep Return to In-Person IBAT 2021 Convention this September in Austin

Bolton

Hot off the success of this summer’s in-person Connecting Leaders Conference in Grapevine, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas is eager to continue its post-Zoom live-and-in-person gatherings with the organization’s annual IBAT Convention, September 18–21 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort in Austin. The newly renovated 4,000-acre resort in the Texas Hill Country will host … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Honors Ahmed and Courtney with its 2021 Excellence in Leadership Award

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored two trailblazers in Texas community banking with the organization’s 2021 Excellence in Leadership Award. Hazem Ahmed, Houston area president at Independent Financial, and Julie Courtney, CAE, CMP, president of IBAT Services Inc. in Austin, were presented this prestigious award during the association’s Connecting Leaders Conference held … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Names Iacoponelli President of IBAT Education Foundation

On June 3, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Shay Iacoponelli has been elected president of the IBAT Education Foundation by the association’s board of directors. The IBAT Education Foundation helps “build better bankers” by offering education programs for community bankers at every stage of their career. IBAT’s education opportunities include IBAT’s … Read more

FinTegration Strategist: Community Banking’s Access to the Technology Ecosystem

What if we could predict the weather? On September 5, 1862, this question led James Glaisher to do something no one had ever done before. Along with aeronaut Henry Tracy Coxwell, he stepped into a hot-air balloon and ascended to heights never before reached, almost 36,000 feet. Before eventually passing out due to a lack … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Hires Carnes as Associate Director of Membership

Christopher Williston, president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), announced on May 10 that Abbey Carnes has been hired to serve as associate director of membership. In her new role, she will assist the membership department as the “eyes and ears of IBAT,” connecting with members to drive additional value and … Read more

MacDonald to Step Down as Southwestern Graduate School of Banking President and CEO

S. Scott MacDonald, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) Foundation since 1997, recently announced that he will step down at the end of 2021. He will remain with the foundation through the transition to the next CEO. MacDonald, a nationally recognized authority on bank finance and economics, is the … Read more

IBAT’s VendorConnect Offers a Virtual Improvement Over Old-School Meet-’n’-Greets

Many aspects of life are beginning the return to normal. In a number of ways, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. We look forward to the days when we can do things the ways that we had before, prior to COVID-19. But we are also asking: Should everything go back to the way … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Honors Temple with 2020 Chairman’s Award

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Robb Temple with the IBAT Chairman’s Award. Temple, chief government affairs officer at McKinney-based Independent Financial, was presented this prestigious award during the 2020 IBAT unCONVENTIONal, the association’s 46th annual Convention presented virtually in early October. The IBAT Chairman’s Award is the association’s highest honor, selected solely … Read more

Community Bankers Launch Ed. @ Your Desk Virtual Education Series

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) launched its Ed. @ Your Desk virtual education series on October 13. The program, part of the community banking association’s 2020 unCONVENTIONal virtual convention, will feature new sessions every Tuesday and Thursday through December 17. Ed. @ Your Desk will cover a wide range of topics, including accounting, … Read more