TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
In 2006, Elaine Martin was working for the Elgin Bank of Texas when five Central Texas entrepreneurial partners approached her about writing a charter for a new bank. “I’ve worked with and around banks most of my life,” Martin recalls thinking. “How hard can it be?” Over the ensuing months, the answer to that question … Read more
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
Carey Stewart, who has served as chief financial officer of Brownwood-based TexasBank for the past 32 years, retired at the end of 2022. Stewart and his wife, Kim, plan to relocate to Lubbock to spend more time as “Boss” and “Lolli” to their four grandchildren. “To say that TexasBank would not be in the position … Read more
On December 7, Perryton-based Interstate Bank announced the retirement of Mike Blasingame as market president. He has been with the bank for 20 years serving in various roles, including executive vice president, commercial and ag lender, chief lending officer and, most recently, market president. He is also a member of the bank’s board of directors. … Read more
John P. Guest, CEO of Citizens National Bank at Brownwood, announced that he is retiring at the end of the year after 40 years of service in the Texas community banking industry. He will continue to serve on the bank’s board of directors. A native of Abilene, Guest moved to Brownwood in 1979 and worked … Read more
Curtis Wren, executive vice president and chief credit officer at Moulton-based SouthStar Bank, retired recently after serving for four decades in banking and finance. His retirement was announced by David Kapavik, president and CEO. Wren has been with SouthStar Bank since 2014, overseeing the credit administration group, as well as the administration and maintenance of … Read more
Karen Neeley, general counsel for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) since 1989, retired on August 31. The association paid tribute to Neeley’s many years of service to the community banking industry in a special edition of its ongoing Ask IBAT Anything series. “After 33 years of representing IBAT as its general counsel, it … Read more
Mark Wade has been named chief executive officer of Bank of Texas, a subsidiary of Tulsa, Oklahoma-based BOK Financial Corp., as of January 1, 2023. He will assume the role as longtime CEO Norm Bagwell transitions into a new part-time role after leading the Texas bank for more than 15 years. “Norm Bagwell has been … Read more
Larry W. Walker, director of the Texas Department of Banking’s Dallas regional office, is retiring after 42 years of service. His retirement is effective July 31. Walker joined the Texas Department of Banking in 1980 as an assistant financial examiner in Corpus Christi and was promoted to commissioned examiner in 1983. In 1993, he was … Read more
On July 25, Guaranty Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Mount Pleasant-based Guaranty Bank & Trust NA, announced that William D. “Bill” Priefert retired from the board of directors of Guaranty Bancshares Inc. and from the board of Guaranty Bank & Trust effective July 20. He has served as a director of the company for … Read more