TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2026 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. This year, 24 community banks participated in the program, with 42 entries receiving awards. Now in its 35th year, the Best of Community Banking Awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of IBAT member banks … Read more
Registration for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ (IBAT) 41st 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 25–27 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. IBAT’s Connecting Leaders Conference brings together rising community bank leaders for … Read more
Durant, Oklahoma-based First United Bank has appointed Justin Sanderson to serve as chief transformation officer. Officing in Plano, he will lead the bank’s enterprise-wide transformation initiatives focused on growth, innovation and customer experience. Sanderson will focus on aligning strategy and technology. He will work across business lines to drive initiatives that improve efficiency, strengthen engagement … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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