Community Banking Association Elects Irwin Chairman, Names New Executive Committee

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently announced that K. Kyle Irwin, president of Gruver-based Western Bank, has been elected chairman of the IBAT board of directors for 2022–23. He officially accepted this position during the association’s 48th annual convention held September 24–27 in Fort Worth. In addition to Irwin, members of the community … Read more

Community Bankers Award Nelson and Fenimore with the Industry’s Top Honors

On September 26, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recognized two of the industry’s finest for their service to community banking. The IBAT Chairman’s Award and the IBAT President’s Award were bestowed during the association’s Awards Luncheon, held during IBAT’s 48th Annual Convention in Fort Worth. Curt Nelson, IBAT’s director of membership, received the … Read more

OCC Officials Visit with Community Bankers in West Texas

Michael Hsu, acting comptroller of the currency, and Dr. Yue (Nina) Chen, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) newly appointed chief climate risk officer, visited Texas in mid-September to meet with OCC-regulated community bank leaders in Lubbock. Among other topics on the agenda, Hsu was focused on better understanding climate risk and its … Read more

Neeley, Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ General Counsel, Retires

Karen Neeley, general counsel for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) since 1989, retired on August 31. The association paid tribute to Neeley’s many years of service to the community banking industry in a special edition of its ongoing Ask IBAT Anything series. “After 33 years of representing IBAT as its general counsel, it … Read more

Community Bankers to Gather in Fort Worth (Finally) for 48th Annual Convention

Members of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas finally get a chance to gather in Fort Worth for its 48th Annual IBAT Convention, September 24–27 at the Omni Fort Worth. Texas’ premier organization of community bankers was scheduled to convene in Fort Worth in 2020, but the pandemic put the skids on that and the … Read more

CSI Partners with Bankers Helping Bankers to Support Community Banks with Innovative Fintech Solutions

Paducah, Kentucky-based Computer Services Inc. (CSI), a leading provider of end-to-end fintech and regtech solutions, has partnered with Bankers Helping Bankers to further the organization’s mission of empowering community banks. Established by FedFis and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) in late 2021, Bankers Helping Bankers connects bankers nationwide so that they can identify … Read more

Texas Bankers Raise $250,000 for Uvalde Community Response Fund

The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) have raised $250,000 to date in support of victim families of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde on May 24. Through the Texas Bankers Foundation, TBA and IBAT have united to offer support via the Uvalde Community Response Fund. The funds … Read more

Scurlock, IBAT’s Government Relations Director, Honored with the Association’s Trailblazer Award

Steve Scurlock accepts the 2022 IBAT Trailblazer Award from Christopher Williston, IBAT’s president and CEO.The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Stephen Scurlock, IBAT’s director of government relations, with the association’s 2022 esteemed Trailblazer Award. He was honored in June during the 37th Annual Connecting Leaders Conference—the division’s flagship … Read more

Bankers Helping Bankers Announces Launch of Venture Capital Fund

On July 12, Bankers Helping Bankers (BHB) announced the launch of the Bankers Helping Bankers Fund (BHB Fund), a fintech venture capital fund managed by Latitude38 Venture Partners. The fund will support community bankers’ engagement with emerging technology providers to meet the future needs of customers and navigate the rapidly changing landscape of financial technology. It’s … Read more

VeraBank’s Tidwell Honored with Community Bankers’ Prestigious Leadership Award

Brad Tidwell receives IBAT’s 2022 Excellence in Leadership Award from Justin Steinbach, IBAT Leadership Division chair and senior vice president at Frost Bank in Dallas.The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Brad Tidwell, president and CEO of Henderson-based VeraBank, with its 2022 Excellence in Leadership Award. Tidwell was honored … Read more