TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
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
To recognize banks (and credit unions) making a meaningful difference, Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group have published “America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2026.” The methodology utilized the Texas Ratio (a measure of a bank’s credit quality), as well as reviewed profitability and net loans and leases, press coverage over the past two years, … Read more
Nacogdoches-based Commercial Bank of Texas has named Austin Williams vice president of commercial lending and business development for Jefferson County. Williams has more than 25 years of leadership experience in business development, commercial lending and community engagement across Southeast Texas. He is a graduate of the Commercial Lending Program at Southern Methodist University, holds a … Read more
Two associates at Jacksonville-based Austin Bank received promotions in July and the bank announced a new hire. Sandy McCafferty has been hired as senior vice president and retail market manager. She joins Austin Bank after serving 20 years with Capital Bank in Houston, where she was senior vice president/regional banking center manager. Prior to that … Read more
Rusty Rust, president and CEO of Nacogdoches-based Commercial Bank of Texas, recently announced the promotion of John Thannisch to head of wealth management and trust in support of the bank’s vision to be the premier community-focused financial services organization. He will serve all 22 of the Commercial Bank of Texas branches. Thannisch has more than … Read more
To honor regional banks that positively impact their communities, Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group publish an annual list of “America’s Best Regional Banks [and Credit Unions]”* every December. The publication’s 2025 list includes 46 regional banks that operate in Texas, with 39 banks based in the Lone Star State. As Newsweek states, “Regional banks…are the … Read more
Nacogdoches-based Commercial Bank of Texas has promoted Jessica Hawkins to community president for Anderson County. She has been part of the Commercial Bank of Texas team for the past 18 years and has served as Anderson County branch manager since 2015, overseeing operations at branches in Palestine and Elkhart. Prior to moving to Anderson County, … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced promotions of employees approved at the March 2023 board of directors meeting. Lynn Littlejohn has been named chief human resources officer. Littlejohn, senior executive vice president, received a title change as she continues in her leadership role overseeing the bank’s human resources … Read more
The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) has announced its board of directors for the 2022–23 fiscal year. Leading the board will be Chairman A. Ford Sasser III with Rio Bank in McAllen; Vice Chair David W. Osborn with WestStar Bank in El Paso; and Treasurer Jan Mills with First National Bank of Winnsboro. The officers’ terms … Read more
The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, has announced the 17 recipients of the 2022 50-Year Banker Awards. Each of the bankers selected is recognized for his/her exemplary and long-standing service to the banking industry. Launched in 1989 by the Texas Bankers Association, the 50-Year Banker Awards honor the men … Read more