First United Bank’s Tobkin Named 2026 Dallas CIO Orbie Award Finalist

Durant, Oklahoma-based First United Bank announced that Tadd Tobkin, chief technology officer, has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Dallas CIO ORBIE Awards, a premier recognition program honoring excellence in technology leadership across the Dallas/Fort Worth region. First United Bank operates 40 branches in Texas, including approximately 15 in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. … Read more

Texas Regional Bank Kicks off Annual Summer Intern Program

On June 11, Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank launched its 2025 internship program with an informational Internship Day at its corporate headquarters. Students from universities across the nation—including Texas A&M University, the University of Texas, the University of Arkansas and Indiana University—gathered to kick off their summer journey with the bank. The day was filled with presentations … Read more

Texas Bankers Included in Independent Banker Magazine’s 2025 ‘40 Under 40’ List of Community Bank Leaders

On June 3, Independent Banker magazine, the monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), announced its seventh annual “40 Under 40: Community Bank Leaders” list, recognizing the rising stars transforming community banking through innovation, leadership and service. Several Texas-based bankers were included on the list, which represents a diverse mix of emerging … Read more

Banking Veteran Shelton Named President of Banking at Oklahoma-based First United Bank

Durant, Oklahoma-based First United Bank has promoted Wes Shelton to president of banking, recognizing his four decades of industry expertise and leadership. In this expanded role, Shelton will oversee bank system operations and lead First United Bank’s Centers of Excellence, credit committee and special-assets team. “Wes has been a cornerstone of our banking operations, bringing … Read more

Oklahoma-based First United Bank Promotes Suchala to Chief Banking Officer

On March 24, Durant, Oklahoma-based First United Bank announced the promotion of Ryan Suchala to chief banking officer. He will spearhead strategic growth initiatives, deepen customer engagement and drive innovation across Texas and Oklahoma. With nearly two decades of banking experience, Suchala has been a key leader at First United Bank for more than seven … Read more

Community Bankers Launch IBAT Loan Marketplace to Streamline Portfolio Management

On October 3, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that it has teamed up with Community Capital Technology Inc., a newly endorsed provider of the community banking organization, to offer IBAT Loan Marketplace, a digital platform designed to empower Texas community banks to buy, sell, participate in and originate loans more transparently and … Read more

VeraBank Recognized as 2024 Q2 Excellence Award ‘Bank of the Year’

Henderson-based VeraBank has been named the 2024 Q2 Excellence Award “Bank of the Year” by Q2 Holdings Inc., a leading provider of digital transformation solutions for financial institutions. The annual Q2 award program recognizes financial institutions for their commitment to digital innovation, community impact and transforming the customer experience. The financial institutions nominated this year … Read more

Comerica Bank Launches SmallBizCo-Op to Support North Texas’ Small Businesses

Dallas-based Comerica Bank is expanding its support for small businesses in North Texas with a new program, Comerica SmallBizCo-Op, which will share the bank’s assets and resources with small-business customers in the region to help them achieve their goals. The pilot program is available at no cost to the bank’s small-business customers in North Texas … 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

Independent Banker Honors Community Bank Emerging Leaders in Annual 40 Under 40 List

On June 1, Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), announced its list of 40 Under 40: Emerging Community Bank Leaders. The award recognizes up-and-coming innovators, influencers and civic servants that represent the future of community banking. The feature story in the June issue of Independent Banker highlights … Read more