TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Keith Hughey, founder of J. Keith Hughey Co., with its prestigious IBAT President’s Award. The honor is bestowed each year at the sole discretion of President and CEO Christopher Williston to an associate member who goes above and beyond in serving the community banking industry … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas have announced that Brandy Patterson, digital compliance officer at Compliance Select, has been elected 2025–26 president of Financial Women in Texas (FWIT). A longtime FWIT member, Patterson previously served as the association’s secretary and as vice president of its Gulf Coast chapter. With more than 17 years of community … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced in late September that Brad Giddens, director of sales for the financial institutions division at Integris, now serves as chair of the IBAT Associate Member Advisory Council. He was elected to this position during the association’s 51st Annual Convention held September 20–23 in Fort Worth. IBAT’s Associate … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Kathy Smith with the IBAT Chairman’s Award. She is the founder and principal of BCC (Bank Compensation Consulting), a Plano-based bank-owned life insurance consulting firm serving banks nationwide. IBAT’s 2024–25 Chair Tracy Harris, chief strategic planning and project officer at Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank, presented the … Read more
In late September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Greg Wilson, president and CEO of Paris-based Lamar National Bank, has been elected chair of the IBAT board of directors for 2025–26. He officially accepted the position during the association’s 51st Annual Convention held September 20–23 in Fort Worth. In addition to Wilson, … Read more
Community bankers from across the state will gather in Fort Worth later this month for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ 51st Annual Convention, a perfect opportunity for education, networking and inspiration for those shaping the future of Texas community banking. Set for September 20–23 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, the convention will feature … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ IBAT Education Foundation will host the 2025 Women in Community Banking Conference, October 22 and 23 in Fort Worth. A forum for women at all levels of the community banking industry to come together to share, learn and grow from one another’s experiences, the event will feature deep dives … Read more
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
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
In early July, catastrophic flash flooding swept through Central Texas, especially in the Hill Country, overwhelming rivers like the Guadalupe and devastating communities across Kerr, Comfort and Midland counties. Amid widespread destruction and an urgent need for relief, Texas’s community banks stepped up, demonstrating their longtime role as both local economic stewards and frontline responders … Read more