TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
The SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University (SWGSB) has announced that Stephan Crétier, GardaWorld Security founder, president and CEO, will be the keynote speaker for SWGSB’s 2026 summer graduate school session, May 26–June 5. Crétier founded GardaWorld in 1995 with an initial investment of $25,000, secured through a second mortgage on his … Read more
The Education Foundation of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) is gearing up for the fourth-annual IBAT EDGE, a program that offers two days of education, renowned industry keynote speakers and leadership development training focused on community banks in Texas. The goal is to Educate, Develop, Guide and Empower (EDGE) community bank employees. This … Read more
El Paso-based WestStar Bank has promoted Claudia Rodriguez to executive vice president. She oversees all aspects of risk management, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), financial intelligence unit (FIU), compliance, information security, legal, audit and loan review. With 23 years of experience in the banking sector, Rodriguez has dedicated the past 13 years of her career … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking will convene its 2026 program the week of August 9–14 at the Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock. For 51 years, the school has partnered with hundreds of community banks to bring together thousands of bankers seeking to advance their careers as … Read more
On February 18, Texas City-based Texas First Bank announced the appointment of nine senior executives to its advisory board of directors. These new advisory directors bring deep expertise and regional ties from across key operational areas, including technology, risk management, retail banking and lending. The advisory directors will provide strategic guidance to the Texas First … Read more
After more than 40 years of service in community banking, Tindle Ramon is retiring in 2026, concluding a career that helped shape modern banking across the Texas Panhandle. He currently serves as executive vice president/chief financial officer at Guymon, Oklahoma-based Panhandle First Bank, a bank launched in 2024 following the merger of First National Bank … Read more
By JODIE NORQUIST, CIP, CHSP ASCENSUS For decades, the phrase “as long as it’s postmarked by the deadline” has been a comforting refrain in the retirement and health-savings world. When a prior-year IRA contribution is mailed on April 15, or other time-sensitive tax forms are headed to the IRS, the U.S. Postal Service postmark has … Read more
Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has hired Sara Imes to serve as chief audit executive. She will develop and implement a risk-based audit plan while overseeing the planning, design, implementation, communication and delivery of audit initiatives across the organization. In addition, she will partner with all levels of management and cross-functional teams to strengthen internal controls … Read more
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Keith Hughey, founder of J. Keith Hughey Co., with its prestigious IBAT President’s Award. The honor is bestowed each year at the sole discretion of President and CEO Christopher Williston to an associate member who goes above and beyond in serving the community banking industry … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking will convene its 2026 program the week of August 9–14 at the Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock. For 51 years, the school has partnered with hundreds of community banks to bring together thousands of bankers seeking to advance their careers as … Read more