Texas Bankers Hall of Fame Inductee B.A. Donelson Passes Away

B.A. Donelson, 86, of Amarillo passed away on November 22. Born and raised in the Texas Panhandle, he attended Arlington State College on a football scholarship and continued his education at Texas Tech University, playing on the varsity baseball team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and finance in 1958. After college, Donelson returned … Read more

In Memoriam: Prosperity Bancshares’ Ervan Eugene Zouzalik

Longtime Texas banker and distinguished retired military leader Col. Ervan Zouzalik passed away peacefully on November 4 in Flatonia. He was 86. He served on active duty in the U.S. Army for 24 years before launching a successful banking career in the 1980s. In 1960, Zouzalik graduated from Texas A&M University as part of the … Read more

Keystone Bank Raises $18 Million to Fuel More Growth

Bee Cave-based Keystone Bank raised $18 million in its latest round of funding—with an industry expert noting that its growth makes it one of the fastest-growing banks in the country. The fresh funds will be used to expand the bank’s team, enhance its banking technology and put the four-year-old community bank on track to handle … Read more

Bankers Helping Bankers to Launch ‘Test Pilots’ Program, Offering Community Banks Opportunities to Test Fintech Products and Services

As the Bankers Helping Bankers (BHB) network expands, community banks can now participate in BHB’s new Test Pilots program and be among the innovative bankers to test fintech products and services. These screened, early-stage fintech companies need the partnership of banks to establish their viability in providing stable solutions for the banking industry. “The BHB … Read more

Texas Bankers Raise $360,000 for Uvalde Together We Rise Fund

On October 7, the Texas Bankers Association (TBA) and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that more than $360,000 has been raised to support those directly impacted by the Robb School shooting in Uvalde on May 24. The joint effort, administered through the Texas Bankers Foundation, has concluded and has distributed all funds … Read more

Community Bankers to Return to Colorado for 22nd Annual Winter Summit

Members of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) will return to Colorado for the 22nd Annual Winter Summit, January 29–31 at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain. The meeting provides a memorable opportunity for bankers to have face-to-face interaction and invaluable conversations with senior regulators … Read more

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