TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
In late September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Gabe Guerra, president and CEO of Corpus Christi-based Kleberg Bank, has been elected chair of the IBAT board of directors for 2026–27. He officially accepted the position during the association’s 52nd Annual Convention held September 19–22 in San Antonio. In addition to Guerra, … Read more
Donald “Craig” Smith, 75, of Runaway Bay passed away on September 21. He served in the Texas banking industry for more than three decades. During his high school years in Jacksoro, Smith was named to the all-state football team, was a proud member of the multi-year state championship golf team and was honored as “Mr. … Read more
Conroe-based Spirit of Texas Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Spirit of Texas Bank, announced that on January 8 it completed the previously announced sale of its Jacksboro location to Graham-based First State Bank. Under the terms of the transaction, the bank sold loans of approximately $3.5 million, deposits of approximately $5.7 million and the real … Read more