TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Liberty-based First Liberty Bank has announced the promotion and appointment of officers and supervisory staff for 2026, as approved by its board of directors. Charles Bolds has been promoted to senior vice president and continues to serve as senior mortgage officer. He has nine years of experience at First Liberty Bank. Bolds is actively involved … Read more
Gulfport, Mississippi-based Hancock Whitney Bank has announced several commercial banking leadership promotions as part of its continued growth strategy across Texas and Louisiana. The appointments underscore the bank’s continued investment in Texas and its strategy to grow alongside the region’s business community. Hancock Whitney currently operates 18 branches in the Lone Star State. Chris Mosteller … Read more
Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has announced six new hires and six promotions across its North and East Texas markets. The new hires include: Charlie Bogan, regional executive vice president/private banking relationship manager at the bank’s Preston Financial Center in Dallas. He has more than 20 years of experience in banking, specializing in private banking, credit … Read more
On May 18, Wilmington, Delaware-based PNC Bank announced that Amy Reardon has been named market leader for commercial banking in Houston. She will lead the bank’s Houston commercial banking team, which serves companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $100 million. PNC Bank has more than 300 branches in Texas, including approximately 90 locations … Read more
Laura Acosta has been promoted to chief transformation officer at Texas City-based Texas First Bank. In this newly created position, she will partner with the CEO and executive team to execute strategic and operational priorities, coordinate high‑impact initiatives and lead cross‑functional transformation efforts across the organization. Acosta brings more than 15 years of banking and … Read more
Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced several promotions at its employee awards dinner held in Longview in March. Jorge Acuna was promoted to vice president/commercial lending officer, lending. He has worked for Texas Bank and Trust for the past eight years in the lending division, previously serving as a credit analyst and portfolio manager before … Read more
San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank has added three new bankers and promoted one. Gabe Longoria has joined Jefferson Bank as executive vice president/chief information officer. He brings more than 20 years of technology leadership in financial services, specializing in digital transformation, infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity. Before joining Jefferson Bank, he served as senior vice president/chief information … Read more
Harry J. “Johnny” Brooks, chair and CEO of Woodville-based Citizens State Bank, has been named 2026 Mr. East Texas as part of the community’s 83rd Annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival in Woodville, held on weekends in March and April. The Dogwood Festival is the longest-running outdoor celebration in Texas. Citizens State Bank has supported it … Read more
In April, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced four promotions. Mara Portillo has been promoted to senior vice president/compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer. With more than 16 years of experience in the banking industry, including 14 years at WestStar Bank, she will expand her leadership role by overseeing the bank’s CRA initiatives. Portillo will … Read more
Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust has promoted three executives and hired a fourth. “As we continue to grow, it is essential to recognize and elevate the leaders who have helped build our success,” says Craig Berry, president and chief lending officer. Damon Whatley has been promoted to executive vice president. His banking career began … Read more