TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS



Southern Bancshares and SouthStar Bank Sign Agreement to Merge with Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp

Omaha, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Southern Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Moulton-based SouthStar Bank. SouthStar Bank has $1.35 billion in assets with 16 full-service locations in Central Texas: Austin, Bee Cave, Brazoria, Bremond, Calvert, Franklin, Georgetown, Gonzales, Harker Heights, Hearne, Kerrville, Leander, Moulton, Round Rock and Shiner. In … Read more

Third Coast Bancshares Announces Agreement to Acquire Oklahoma-based Great Plains Bancshares

On October 7, Third Coast Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Humble-based Third Coast Bank, and Great Plains Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Great Plains National Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Third Coast will acquire Great Plains in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately … Read more

Worley and Heil Join Susser Bank’s Dallas Commercial Banking Team

Dallas-based Susser Bank continues to expand its Dallas commercial banking team with the addition of  Meredith Worley as senior vice president/relationship manager and Conner Heil as vice president/relationship manager. Worley brings more than 15 years of experience serving privately held businesses and business owners across North Texas. Her expertise includes commercial lending, sponsor lending, asset-based … Read more

R Bank Welcomes Matthews as Round Rock Market President

Round Rock-based R Bank has hired Will Matthews to serve as market president in Round Rock. A member of the University of Texas’ Rose Bowl-winning football team and a former player for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, he developed a strong foundation in discipline, teamwork and relationship-building. Following his football career, he worked in nonprofit fundraising, … Read more

McDonald Named Chief Operating Officer at R Bank in Round Rock

Round Rock-based R Bank has promoted Cole McDonald to executive vice president and chief operating officer. Since joining the bank in 2024, he has quickly established himself as a respected leader and trusted resource across the organization. Prior to joining R Bank, McDonald served on the commercial lending team at VeraBank for almost four years. … Read more

PlainsCapital Bank Welcomes Vohs and Roberston for Relationship Management in Central Texas

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank recently hired two relationship bankers, one in San Antonio and one in Round Rock. Justin Vohs has joined the bank as senior vice president/senior relationship manager, based at its Round Rock office located at 400 Sundance Pkwy. He brings more than 16 years of banking and financial services experience, with a strong … Read more

Susser Bank Expands Technology Banking Team with Appointment of Wills 

Austin Wills has joined Dallas-based Susser Bank as senior vice president/relationship manager on its technology banking team. Based in the bank’s Austin office, he will partner with technology and technology-enabled companies across Texas and throughout the U.S. Susser Bank’s technology banking team serves venture-backed and founder-led businesses across B2B SaaS, fintech, marketplaces and other high-growth … Read more

VeraBank Expands Central Texas Presence with New Branch in Avery Ranch

On June 22, Henderson-based VeraBank opened its second full-service branch in Austin. The new location, at 14951 Avery Ranch Blvd., serves the rapidly growing Avery Ranch community and surrounding Northwest Austin, Cedar Park and Round Rock areas. To commemorate the opening, the bank will hold an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony later this year. This … Read more

Susser Bank Expands Central Texas Commercial Banking Team with Appointment of Branigan

Dallas-based Susser Bank has appointed Ryan Branigan senior vice president/relationship manager, enhancing the bank’s commercial banking capabilities in Austin and Central Texas. Branigan brings more than 20 years of banking experience serving privately held businesses and their owners. His background encompasses commercial banking, credit, treasury management and liquidity strategy, with extensive experience advising middle-market companies … Read more

Community Bankers Honor Whitley Penn’s Murphy with Excellence in Leadership Award

During the IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference held last month in Round Rock, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) presented its annual Excellence in Leadership Award. This year’s recipient was Brett Murphy, audit partner, partner-in-charge of the financial institutions industry and Austin market president at Whitley Penn LLP. To be considered for the Excellence in … Read more