Community Bankers Prepare for Connecting Leaders Conference in June

SheenRegistration for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ (IBAT) 37th Annual Connecting Leaders Conference, the IBAT Leadership Division’s flagship event, is now open. Texas community bankers are encouraged to attend the family-friendly event being held June 16–18 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. IBAT’s Connecting Leaders Conference focuses on developing the next generation of … Read more

Community Bankers Head to D.C. in May to Advocate and Broaden Awareness

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) will host hundreds of community bank leaders during its 2022 ICBA Capital Summit, May 1–4 in the nation’s capital. Throughout the week, community banks will meet with key policymakers to bring greater awareness to the community banking industry’s legislative and regulatory agenda and share personal accounts of its … Read more

Ferguson, Pearland State Bank Founder, Passes Away

Dr. Lloyd R. Ferguson, one of the founders of Pearland State Bank, passed away in his Pearland home on March 9. He was 96. Ferguson served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B-17 gunman during World War II. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Howard Payne University, a master’s degree from Texas Christian … Read more

Gib Blackman, Longtime Bankers Digest Publisher, Passes Away

Ralph Gilbert (Gib) Blackman Jr. died peacefully at home on January 8 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. A Texas community banker, he was most widely known as the publisher and editor—along with his wife, Bonnie—of Bankers Digest for more than 30 years. Born October 11, 1947, to Ralph and Betty … Read more

Community National Bank & Trust of Texas Announces 2022 Promotions

Rusty Hitt, CEO of Corsicana-based Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, has announced the promotion of five bank officers in Corsicana and Waxahachie. Jarod Gordon was promoted to chief wealth management officer. He has been with the bank for nearly 13 years, working with trust and investment clients for the past 12 years. Gordon … Read more

McCauley Named a Hero and Legend of Texas Community Banking

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that George “Cliff” McCauley, executive vice president/correspondent banking at San Antonio-based Frost Bank, is the newest addition to the IBAT Wall of Heroes and Legends of Texas Community Banking located at the organization’s headquarters in downtown Austin. The Wall of Heroes and Legends is reserved for special … Read more

Community Bankers Explore the Basics of Cryptocurrencies

In early December, Bankers Helping Bankers hosted its first event for community bankers throughout the country since the platform launched in October. The hour-long educational session featured Ben Soppitt, CEO of Unifimoney, a cryptocurrency trading application, in conversation with Independent Bankers Association of Texas President and CEO Christopher Williston about the basics of cryptocurrencies and … Read more

Barclay Re-Elected to Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Board

Kelly A. Barclay of Wimberley has been re-elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas board of directors by its member banks. She will serve a three-year term ending December 31, 2024. She has served on the Dallas Fed’s board since 2019. In her role as a board member, Barclay provides input on regional economic … Read more

Unprecedented Support for Community Banks: Bankers Helping Bankers

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) and FedFis, a fintech firm specializing in data transformation for financial institutions, have announced Bankers Helping Bankers, a new bankers-only platform to help community banks survive and thrive. Texas-based FedFis brings more than 40 years of building data in the banking industry, information that can benefit every community … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Honors Rogers-Ford Architecture and Interior Design with 2021 IBAT President’s Award

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Rogers-Ford, L.C., Architecture and Interior Design with the 2021 IBAT President’s Award. Pat and Cindy Ford, company founders, accepted this prestigious honor on behalf of the company in September during IBAT’s 2021 Convention in Austin. Rogers-Ford, L.C., based in Dallas, provides architecture and interior design services … Read more