67 Percent of Financial Institutions are Implementing AI. Only 16 Percent Know Why.

By JAMES WHITE, EngageFI  Scan the trade publications and conference agendas, and you’ll find a drumbeat of optimism: AI adoption is surging. Two-thirds of financial institutions are now “implementing AI.” Budgets are climbing. Use cases are multiplying. The future, we’re told, has arrived. But the banking industry is celebrating the wrong number. Here’s the problem. … Read more

Compliance Select Adds Woolsey and Sims to Digital Compliance Team

Austin-based Compliance Select recently announced the hiring of Amy Woolsey and Barbra Sims to serve as digital compliance officers. Since 2022, Compliance Select has provided community banks with resources to ensure consumer and regulatory compliance. The team continually expands to meet the needs of all client banks. Woolsey brings 21 years of community banking experience to … Read more

Gulf Capital Bank Appoints Smith Advisory Director on Bank’s Board

On July 21, Houston-based Gulf Capital Bank announced that Bob S. Smith has been appointed an advisory director on its board of directors. He retired recently from the Texas Department of Banking for which he served as a review examiner. He has more than 12 years of experience with the Texas Department of Banking and … Read more

SouthWest Bank Welcomes Littlefield as Senior Compliance Officer

Lou Deane Littlefield has joined Odessa-based SouthWest Bank to serve as senior vice president/senior compliance officer. She oversees all of the bank’s compliance processes with an emphasis on Bank Secrecy Act and Community Reinvestment Act policies and procedures. With more than four decades of banking experience Littlefield previously worked as a CRA officer and compliance … Read more

Ortiz Appointed Senior Vice President and McElroy Hired as Vice President for WestStar’s Corporate Accounting

El Paso-based WestStar announced the appointment of Myrna A. Ortiz as senior vice president of corporate accounting. She will oversee capital and liquidity planning activities, manage interest rate risk and reporting, handle investment accounting and monitoring and lead special projects. In addition, the bank has hired Nancy C. McElroy as vice president of corporate accounting. … Read more