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

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

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

Community Banking Advocate Scurlock Honored as SWGSB Distinguished Alumnus

On May 30, Steve Scurlock, former director of government relations at the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), received the highest honor bestowed upon a graduate of the SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University, receiving recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus. The honor was presented to Scurlock during SWGSB’s 67th Annual Awards … 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

Community Bankers Invited to Develop Leadership Skills at Upcoming IBAT EDGE

The Education Foundation of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) is gearing up for the second-annual IBAT EDGE, a program that offers two days of education, renowned industry keynote speakers and leadership development training focused on community banks in Texas. The goal is to Educate, Develop, Guide and Empower (EDGE) community bank employees. This … Read more