TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
In April, Raleigh, North Carolina-based First Citizens Bank announced that Chris Stringer has been named area executive for the Dallas/Fort Worth market. A Texas native, he has nearly 30 years of experience serving clients across the metroplex. First Citizens Bank operates nine locations in Texas and employs approximately 200 associates in the North Texas region. … Read more
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
Harry J. “Johnny” Brooks, chair and CEO of Woodville-based Citizens State Bank, has been named 2026 Mr. East Texas as part of the community’s 83rd Annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival in Woodville, held on weekends in March and April. The Dogwood Festival is the longest-running outdoor celebration in Texas. Citizens State Bank has supported it … Read more
In April, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced four promotions. Mara Portillo has been promoted to senior vice president/compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer. With more than 16 years of experience in the banking industry, including 14 years at WestStar Bank, she will expand her leadership role by overseeing the bank’s CRA initiatives. Portillo will … Read more
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank recently announced three new hires. Jessica Tolson has joined the bank as senior vice president and chief information officer. She has years of IT experience, ranging from IT manager to information security officer. Tolson graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Texas–Denton. Her industry certifications include CISSP, CISM, … Read more
Sharon Davis has joined San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank as chief human resources officer. She takes on the new role with more than 20 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Jefferson Bank, Davis was executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Premier Bank in Ohio. Earlier stints in her career include human resources … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has announced that Joel Jackson is now senior executive vice president, chief lending officer and regional chair of the bank’s Southeast region. Jackson has more than 23 years of experience with a focus on commercial banking. He started his career in East Texas, working his way through various leadership positions at community banks … Read more