Independent Bankers Association of Texas Elects New Leadership Division Board and Executive Committee

The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) elected new board members during its quarterly board meeting in June. Founded in 1985, the IBAT Leadership Division is dedicated to the development of tomorrow’s leaders in community banking. The 2021–22 executive committee members named to guide the IBAT Leadership Division include: Chair Justin … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Honors Ahmed and Courtney with its 2021 Excellence in Leadership Award

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored two trailblazers in Texas community banking with the organization’s 2021 Excellence in Leadership Award. Hazem Ahmed, Houston area president at Independent Financial, and Julie Courtney, CAE, CMP, president of IBAT Services Inc. in Austin, were presented this prestigious award during the association’s Connecting Leaders Conference held … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Names Iacoponelli President of IBAT Education Foundation

On June 3, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Shay Iacoponelli has been elected president of the IBAT Education Foundation by the association’s board of directors. The IBAT Education Foundation helps “build better bankers” by offering education programs for community bankers at every stage of their career. IBAT’s education opportunities include IBAT’s … Read more

FinTegration Strategist: Community Banking’s Access to the Technology Ecosystem

What if we could predict the weather? On September 5, 1862, this question led James Glaisher to do something no one had ever done before. Along with aeronaut Henry Tracy Coxwell, he stepped into a hot-air balloon and ascended to heights never before reached, almost 36,000 feet. Before eventually passing out due to a lack … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Hires Carnes as Associate Director of Membership

Christopher Williston, president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), announced on May 10 that Abbey Carnes has been hired to serve as associate director of membership. In her new role, she will assist the membership department as the “eyes and ears of IBAT,” connecting with members to drive additional value and … Read more

MacDonald to Step Down as Southwestern Graduate School of Banking President and CEO

S. Scott MacDonald, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) Foundation since 1997, recently announced that he will step down at the end of 2021. He will remain with the foundation through the transition to the next CEO. MacDonald, a nationally recognized authority on bank finance and economics, is the … Read more

Swenson Retires as Chairman of Spur Security Bank with 52 Years of Service

Eric Swenson, chairman of the board of Spur Security Bank in Spur, retired in March after 52 years serving the bank. He joined the bank in 1969 as a director and became part of active management as a vice president in 1972. During his tenure, he also served as executive vice president and president of … Read more

IBAT’s VendorConnect Offers a Virtual Improvement Over Old-School Meet-’n’-Greets

Many aspects of life are beginning the return to normal. In a number of ways, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. We look forward to the days when we can do things the ways that we had before, prior to COVID-19. But we are also asking: Should everything go back to the way … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Honors Yennik Inc. with 2020 President’s Award

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Yennik Inc. with the IBAT President’s Award. R. Kinney Williams, Yennik president and founder, accepted this prestigious award on behalf of the company during the 2020 IBAT unCONVENTIONal (46th Annual Convention), which was presented virtually earlier this month. The IBAT President’s Award is given at the … Read more

Rawls College of Business Establishes E.W. & J. David Williams Institute for Community Banking & Finance

With approval from the Texas Tech University System’s Board of Regents at its October 16 meeting, Texas Tech University’s Jerry S. Rawls College of Business has established the E.W. & J. David Williams Institute for Community Banking & Finance. Made possible by a generous gift from longtime Texas Tech supporter and community bank executive J. … Read more