TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
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
In early October, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Tracy Harris, chief strategic planning and project officer at Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank, has been elected chair of the IBAT board of directors for 2024–25. She officially accepted the position during the association’s 50th Annual Convention held October 5–8 in San Antonio. In … Read more
On September 18, Bowie-based Legend Bank received the Best of Show honor during the 2023 Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards presented by the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). The Awards Luncheon, held as part of the organization’s 49 Annual Convention in Frisco, recognized the top 17 recipients of IBAT’s 2023 BOCB Awards. This … Read more
On January 13, Bowie-based Legend Bank announced its new Tarrant County lending team comprised of four commercial lenders and four loan operations and support personnel. They will serve North Richland Hills and surrounding areas. The new team includes Mike Monroe, Lee Herron, Mark Piland and Ryan Sanford, with support from operational staff members Kerri Berkley, Dale Williams, … Read more
On December 8, Bowie-based Legend Bank announced the appointment of six new members to its board of directors. All are members of the Legend Bank executive team and join Jay Bearden, president and CEO, Todd McMurray, chief financial officer, and Toni Lucky, chief retail officer, on the board. “Their experience with Legend Bank and our … Read more