TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
On October 16, Sulphur Springs-based Alliance Bank announced that Craig Roberts has been named CEO. The appointment comes as the bank approaches its centennial in 2027. “After a thorough search process, the board is confident that Craig Roberts is exactly the right leader to guide Alliance Bank into its second century,” says Tom Sellers, chairman … Read more
Lubbock-based Victory Bank has hired Kyle Fernandez as vice president/Hill Country banking leader, a newly created role focused on growing the bank’s presence in the region. Stephen Harris, a Fredericksburg banker and business owner who serves as a Victory Bank ambassador, will help Fernandez expand the bank’s presence in the Hill Country. “Victory Bank already … Read more
College Station-based American Momentum Bank has hired Bryan/College Station native Gates Gardner as senior vice president/commercial relationship manager. He brings 27 years of banking experience to his new role. Most recently, Gardner served as senior vice president/market president in Beaumont at Third Coast Bank, where he ranked among the bank’s top five loan producers for … Read more
In October, Memphis, Texas-based Bank19 announced the appointment of Ernesto J. Salazar as Amarillo market president as the bank seeks to expand its presence and strengthen its relationships across the Texas Panhandle. He brings more than 35 years of banking experience serving business owners, commercial clients, professionals and individuals. Salazar will lead Bank19’s Amarillo market … Read more
Dallas-based Susser Bank continues to expand its Dallas commercial banking team with the addition of Meredith Worley as senior vice president/relationship manager and Conner Heil as vice president/relationship manager. Worley brings more than 15 years of experience serving privately held businesses and business owners across North Texas. Her expertise includes commercial lending, sponsor lending, asset-based … Read more
Fort Worth-based First Bank Texas has hired Michael Ramirez to serve as Fort Worth market president. He brings more than 20 years of banking experience to his new position, with extensive expertise in commercial real estate lending, relationship management and portfolio management. Ramirez’s experience includes handling complex commercial real estate transactions ranging from $1 million … Read more
Round Rock-based R Bank has hired Will Matthews to serve as market president in Round Rock. A member of the University of Texas’ Rose Bowl-winning football team and a former player for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, he developed a strong foundation in discipline, teamwork and relationship-building. Following his football career, he worked in nonprofit fundraising, … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Dick Sadka as senior vice president/senior relationship manager, serving commercial banking clients throughout the Houston market. He will be based at PlainsCapital’s Richmond Ave. banking center. Sadka brings more than 40 years of banking experience spanning commercial banking, treasury services, portfolio management and business development. Prior to joining PlainsCapital Bank, … Read more
Ozona Bank has announced the appointment of Marc Villarreal as San Antonio market president. With nearly two decades of banking experience, he has built his career around helping businesses, entrepreneurs and families achieve their financial goals through relationship-driven banking. Since beginning his banking career in 2007, Villarreal has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor, … Read more
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