TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS

Kerrville Texas

Southern Bancshares and SouthStar Bank Sign Agreement to Merge with Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp

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Omaha, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Southern Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Moulton-based SouthStar Bank. SouthStar Bank has $1.35 billion in assets with 16 full-service locations in Central Texas: Austin, Bee Cave, Brazoria, Bremond, Calvert, Franklin, Georgetown, Gonzales, Harker Heights, Hearne, Kerrville, Leander, Moulton, Round Rock and Shiner. In … Read more

Third Coast Bancshares Announces Agreement to Acquire Oklahoma-based Great Plains Bancshares

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On October 7, Third Coast Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Humble-based Third Coast Bank, and Great Plains Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Great Plains National Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Third Coast will acquire Great Plains in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately … Read more

American National Bank of Texas Named 2026 Best of Show in Best of Community Banking Awards

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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

82 Bankers Complete SW Graduate School of Banking Three-Year Executive Education Program

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The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University 2026 summer session wrapped up June 5 with a commencement ceremony for SWGSB Class LXVII at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. William T. Chittenden, Ph.D., president and CEO of SWGSB, delivered the commencement address to more than 350 guests celebrating 82 graduates from … Read more

Texas Regional Bank Hires Ehrlich to Lead Kerrville Market

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Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has appointed James Ehrlich market president in Kerrville. He brings more than 30 years of experience in commercial banking, private banking and trust, and commercial real estate. His background includes building and managing multi-million-dollar commercial loan portfolios and overseeing $160 million in private banking and trust assets. That experience is enhanced by decades … Read more

Gonzales Joins Guadalupe Bank to Expand Commercial Lending in San Antonio

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Kerrville-based Guadalupe Bank has hired Lydia Gonzales to expand its commercial lending presence in San Antonio. She will serve as executive vice president of commercial lending. A San Antonio native with more than 28 years of banking experience, Gonzales most recently served as executive vice president/market president at Blue Sky Bank, leading commercial operations and … Read more

Community Banks Rally to Help Recent Flood Victims in Central Texas

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In early July, catastrophic flash flooding swept through Central Texas, especially in the Hill Country, overwhelming rivers like the Guadalupe and devastating communities across Kerr, Comfort and Midland counties. Amid widespread destruction and an urgent need for relief, Texas’s community banks stepped up, demonstrating their longtime role as both local economic stewards and frontline responders … Read more

Seasoned West Texas Banker Greenlee Joins First Bank Texas Board

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Weatherford-based First Bank Texas has appointed Ed Greenlee to its board of directors. A respected Texas banking executive with 50 years of experience, he brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a strong commitment to community-centered financial services. A native of Abilene, Greenlee’s career in banking has spanned markets across the state, from Abilene, Kerrville … Read more

Kerrville’s Schreiner University Announces Launch of New Banking Program

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On December 6, Dr. Charlie McCormick, president of Schreiner University in Kerrville, announced the launch of the university’s new banking program, created to help students navigate rural-focused banking needs in Texas. Schreiner University students will be admitted into the program by the end of their sophomore year. Upon acceptance, they will receive a scholarship for … Read more

Comerica Bank Taps Cohn to Lead its Central and South Texas Retail Team

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Dallas-based Comerica Bank has announced that Vickie Cohn will lead its Central and South Texas retail team, replacing Theresa Bazan, who recently was promoted to national sales enablement director for consumer and small business banking. In this senior vice president role, Cohn will be responsible for the development and leadership of the Austin, Kerrville, Houston and … Read more