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
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
On May 27, Legend Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Bowie-based Legend Bank NA, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Graham-based Graham Savings and Loan SSB, a Texas community bank founded in 1934. Graham Savings and Loan operates three full-service locations in Graham, Breckenridge and Possum Kingdom, and reports approximately … Read more
Bowie-based Legend Bank has announced two promotions of bankers serving North Richland Hills, Tarrant County and surrounding communities. Jason McMahon has been promoted to senior vice president/branch president of the North Richland Hills location and Addy Cook has been promoted to assistant vice president/commercial lender, expanding the bank’s commercial lending presence in North Richland Hills … Read more
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2025 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. McAllen-based Lone Star National Bank won Best of Show for its community service entry “Starr County Volunteerism.” The 2025 BOCB Best of Show, Community Spirit and Gold Eagle Award recipients were recognized at … Read more
In late September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Greg Wilson, president and CEO of Paris-based Lamar National Bank, has been elected chair of the IBAT board of directors for 2025–26. He officially accepted the position during the association’s 51st Annual Convention held September 20–23 in Fort Worth. In addition to Wilson, … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2025 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and three other states convened at Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock for the program. Established in 1973, the school offers a blend of traditional academic coursework and interactive lecture sessions hosted … Read more
During the IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference held this summer in Galveston, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) presented its annual Excellence in Leadership Award. This year’s recipient was Jay Bearden, president and CEO of Legend Bank in Decatur. To be considered for the Excellence in Leadership Award, one must selflessly promote, support and serve … Read more
On January 8, Bowie-based Legend Bank announced the appointment of Ricky Taylor as Wichita Falls branch president/senior vice president and Colton Sheffield as vice president/commercial lender in North Richland Hills. Taylor has been in the financial industry for more than 20 years, specializing in agriculture, commercial real estate, small business, equipment and construction loan needs. … Read more
Ben Butler has joined Bowie-based Legend Bank as vice president/commercial lender. He will serve customers in the bank’s Sherman and Denison markets. Butler brings more than nine years of experience in banking. Prior to joining Legend Bank, he was a mortgage loan officer at Be My Neighbor Mortgage in Denison and before that served as … Read more