TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
During the IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference held this summer in Galveston, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) presented its annual Excellence in Leadership Award. This year’s recipient was Jay Bearden, president and CEO of Legend Bank in Decatur. To be considered for the Excellence in Leadership Award, one must selflessly promote, support and serve … Read more
On July 18, Prosperity Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Houston-based Prosperity Bank, and American Bank Holding Corp., the parent holding company of Corpus Christi-based American Bank NA, jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Prosperity Bancshares will acquire American Bank Holding Corp. and American Bank. The merger has been unanimously approved … Read more
On June 9, Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank announced the promotion of Eduardo Caso, head of international private banking, to executive vice president. Caso joined the bank in 2018 to establish the international private banking division. Since then, the division has become a strategic part of the bank’s service offering, particularly in supporting cross-border business and … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University 2025 summer session wrapped up June 6 with a commencement ceremony for SWGSB Class LXVI at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Jan Mills, president and chair of First National Bank of Winnsboro and a graduate of SWGSB Class XL, delivered the commencement address … Read more
ORogers Pope Sr. and Rogers Pope Jr.n June 17, Rogers Pope Sr., chairman of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust, announced a significant leadership transition during the bank’s board of directors meeting. He is passing the gavel of chairmanship to his son, Rogers Pope Jr. He will remain active in the bank in his new role … Read more
Joe H. Sharp Jr., 86, a highly respected leader in the banking industry, passed away on June 30 in Longview. After graduating from Mineola High School in 1956, he earned a BBA degree in accounting from Southern Methodist University and gained his license as a certified public accountant. He also attended and later taught at … Read more
On July 1, Investar Holding Corp., the holding company for Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Investar Bank NA, and Wichita Falls Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Wichita Falls-based First National Bank, jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Investar will acquire Wichita Falls for cash and stock consideration. The merger is … Read more
On July 14, Huntington Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Columbus, Ohio-based Huntington Bank, and Dallas-based Veritex Holdings Inc., the parent company of Dallas-based Veritex Community Bank, announced a definitive merger agreement in which Huntington will acquire Veritex. The acquisition accelerates Huntington Bancshares’ growth in Texas by expanding its presence in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. … Read more
Dallas-based Susser Bank has appointed Carl Cravens president and chief banking officer. In his expanded role, he will continue to report directly to Sam L. Susser, chairman and CEO, and assume responsibility for all commercial banking, credit functions and marketing across the bank’s footprint. Cravens joined Susser Bank in 2018 and has been instrumental in scaling … Read more
Pat Leatherwood, chairman of the board of First National Bank of Dublin, has announced the election of Matt Stockman of De Leon and Kameron Mazurek of Comanche to the bank’s board of directors. Stockman is president of Stockman Seed & Fertilizer, a business he launched in 1986 in De Leon. Mazurek founded the law and … Read more