TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS



Regions Bank Taps Newburn as Market Executive in Tyler and Longview

Longview-based Regions Bank Texas, a subsidiary of Birmingham, Alabama-based Regions Financial Corp., has announced that Bill Newburn, wealth management advisor, will also serve as the company’s market executive for Tyler and Longview. He joined the bank’s wealth management division in 2004. As market executive, Newburn’s role will expand to include bringing together colleagues from the … Read more

Stacking the Deck: Secrets of High-Performing Banks

By Sean C. Payant, Ph.D. Many bank executives spend considerable time thinking about strategies to improve overall profitability and create sustainable growth. According to what is conveyed in banking industry publications and gleaned at trade shows and conferences, the industry’s best practices generally focus on strategies to cut expenses—using technology, looking at staffing levels, increasing … Read more

Rivera Promoted to Assistant Vice President/Credit Underwriting at Western Heritage Bank

Las Cruces, New Mexico-based Western Heritage Bank has promoted Nathan Rivera to assistant vice president/credit underwriting. “Nathan has been an asset to our team for several years and we are pleased to promote him to this new role,” says Greg Cory, president and CEO. “We are grateful to have him as part of our banking … Read more

Texas Capital Bank Appoints Cosper Head of Commercial Real Estate

On January 12, Texas Capital Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Dallas-based Texas Capital Bank, announced that Dustin Cosper has been appointed head of commercial real estate. He will report to Madison Simm, president of real estate, who leads the bank’s commercial real estate, mortgage finance and homebuilder and community finance lines of business. Cosper … Read more

SouthWest Bank Appoints George New Odessa Market President

On December 28, Odessa-based SouthWest Bank announced the appointment of Phil George as Odessa market president. He currently serves as the bank’s senior vice president of commercial lending. George replaces Paul Weaver, who has been elected as the bank’s chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2023. George has 19 years of experience in the banking … Read more

SouthWest Bank Announces Leadership Succession Plan

On December 20, Odessa-based SouthWest Bank announced that Dewey Bryant, chief executive officer, will assume the role of CEO emeritus effective January 1, 2023. In this role, he will continue to serve on the SouthWest Bank board of directors and help execute a seamless leadership transition for the bank. The SouthWest Bank board has elected … Read more

Martin Promoted to Vice President and Longview Retail Office Manager for Austin Bank

Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced the promotion of Lynnette Martin to vice president/retail office manager. The promotion was approved at the bank’s December 2022 board of directors meeting in Jacksonville. Martin will serve as retail office manager for the bank’s Oak Forest and Bar K locations in Longview. … Read more

Guaranty Bank & Trust Promotes Biery to Senior Vice President

Mount Pleasant-based Guaranty Bank & Trust recently announced the promotion of Meredith Biery to senior vice president and trust officer. She joined the wealth management and trust group at Guaranty Bank & Trust in 2021, bringing 13 years of experience in private wealth management. Biery earned her BBA degree in finance (with a minor in … Read more

Austin Bank Elects Seay Senior Vice President and Loan Servicing/Special Assets Manager

Jeff Austin III, chairman of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced the promotion of Shannon Seay to senior vice president and loan servicing/special assets manager. She oversees the special assets department and supervises real estate appraisal ordering and review. Seay joined Austin Bank in 2007 as a junior credit analyst, bringing with her five years of … Read more

Comerica Bank Names Raines to Lead Retail Bank Operations in North Texas, Arizona and Florida

On November 10, Dallas-based Comerica Bank announced that it has named Andrew Raines senior vice president/retail regional director for the bank’s North Texas, Arizona and Florida region. He will report to Rhonda Davenport Johnson, national director of the retail bank. Raines will be responsible for the development and effective leadership of the banking center network. He … Read more