TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS



Louisiana-based Origin Bank Adds Haygood and Grimm to East Texas Commercial Banking Team 

Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has hired Scott Haygood as commercial relationship manager/regional executive vice president and Merritt Grimm as commercial relationship banker/senior vice president, serving the East Texas region. They will office at Origin Bank’s Longview Financial Center at 3805 N. Spur 63. “They were both born and raised [in East Texas], and they’ve strengthened … Read more

Community Banking Association Elects Guerra Chair, Names New Executive Committee and Board

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

FHLB Dallas and Members Award More Than $1.8 Million as Partnership Grant Program Celebrates 30 Years

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and participating member financial institutions awarded more than $1.8 million to 71 community‑based organizations through its Partnership Grant Program (PGP) as the program marks its 30th anniversary. The awards were made in partnership with 44 member institutions in FHLB Dallas’ five‑state district of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, … Read more

Nine Texas-based Banks Included in Forbes’ 2026 Best In-State Banks Survey

Forbes has produced its 2026 ranking of America’s Best-In-State Banks. The ninth annual rankings—created in partnership with market research firm Statista—are based on survey responses from 26,000 U.S. residents. The rankings include nine Texas-based banks. Participants were asked how satisfied they were and how likely they were to recommend the U.S.-based banks at which they … Read more

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

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

Louisiana-based Origin Bank Hires Six, Promotes Six Across North and East Texas Locations

Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has announced six new hires and six promotions across its North and East Texas markets. The new hires include: Charlie Bogan, regional executive vice president/private banking relationship manager at the bank’s Preston Financial Center in Dallas. He has more than 20 years of experience in banking, specializing in private banking, credit … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Welcomes New Officer in Fort Worth

Kyle Paschal has joined Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust’s lending division as a banking officer and portfolio manager in the bank’s Fort Worth office. Paschal has worked in the financial services industry for more than 25 years. He has served community banks throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, working in roles across retail banking, loan administration, … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Announces
Recent Officer Promotions

Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced several promotions at its employee awards dinner held in Longview in March. Jorge Acuna was promoted to vice president/commercial lending officer, lending. He has worked for Texas Bank and Trust for the past eight years in the lending division, previously serving as a credit analyst and portfolio manager before … Read more

Jacksonville-based Austin Bank Announces Employee Promotions in March

Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced promotions of 
employees approved at the March board meeting. Troy Moore has been named regional president for the North region. He joined the bank in December 2025 as executive vice president/deputy regional president, working from the Longview Oak Forest office. With 33 years … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Announces Officer Promotions in Fort Worth Office

In early March, Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced that Matthew Spivey has been promoted to market president for its Fort Worth location and Mason Whitmarsh has been promoted to assistant vice president and lending officer. Spivey joined Texas Bank and Trust as a senior vice president and commercial lender in the bank’s Fort Worth … Read more