TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
The SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University (SWGSB) has announced that Stephan Crétier, GardaWorld Security founder, president and CEO, will be the keynote speaker for SWGSB’s 2026 summer graduate school session, May 26–June 5. Crétier founded GardaWorld in 1995 with an initial investment of $25,000, secured through a second mortgage on his … Read more
Wellington-based Wellington State Bank recently held the 35th annual stockholders meeting of its current ownership group, commemorating a significant milestone as the bank celebrates its 120th anniversary. Established in 1906, Wellington State Bank is recognized as the second-oldest state-chartered bank in Texas. In celebration of the bank’s 120th anniversary, stockholders received commemorative gifts, including cedar … Read more
Coastal Bend Bancshares, the holding company for Corpus Christi-based First Community Bank, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Port Lavaca-based First National Bank. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026. “Our roots along the Texas Gulf Coast run deep at First Community Bank,” notes Wes Hoskins, First Community … Read more
On April 6, Texas Gulf Bancshares Inc., parent company of Houston-based Texas Gulf Bank NA, announced that Chase Zalman has been appointed president of Texas Gulf Bank, effective immediately. Zalman brings more than 20 years of banking leadership experience to the new position. He joins the bank from Prosperity Bank, for which he most recently … Read more
Sulphur Springs-based Alliance Bank announced that it has promoted two team members to serve as regional presidents. The promotions were announced by James Law, president and CEO. J. Corky Randolph has been promoted to senior vice president/regional president for Rockwall. Collin and Hunt counties. He previously served as the bank’s Rockwall County market president. He … Read more
On March 11, Weatherford-based First Bank Texas announced that Zan Sharp Prince, chair, has recently been appointed to the boards of both the West Texas Rehabilitation Center and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). The West Texas Rehabilitation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing life-changing outpatient therapy and support services to individuals with … Read more
On March 30, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced that Yoakum-based Yoakum National Bank has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a national banking association. Under its new charter, the bank will begin operating as Yoakum Bank. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Yoakum National Bancshares Inc., was originally chartered … Read more
On March 23, Ozona Bank announced the promotion of Lance Kruse to chief lending officer. He has been a member of the Ozona Bank team for more than 10 years, during which he has demonstrated strong lending expertise, leadership and a commitment to serving customers and communities across the bank’s footprint. His contributions have played a … Read more
Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank has announced the appointment of Matt Cravey to its board of directors. He is the founder and president of Cravey Real Estate Services Inc. in Corpus Christi, the largest commercial real estate firm south of San Antonio. Cravey’s career spans more than 50 years. He first went into real estate in … Read more
On March 5, Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust announced key hires and promotions across multiple locations. This news comes in addition to the bank’s recent announcement that Craig Berry is succeeding Dwight Berry in the role of president; Dwight Berry will continue serving as chief executive officer and Craig Berry will continue as … Read more