TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
This fall, Financial Women in Texas (FWIT) heads to Austin for its 17th Annual Conference, September 27–29 at Hotel Viata. The event brings women from across Texas together for education, professional growth and plenty of time to connect with peers. Whether you are already part of the FWIT community or are just learning about the … Read more
On July 16, The Woodlands-based Woodforest National Bank announced the appointment of Julie V. Mayrant as chief executive officer. A banking executive with more than 30 years of experience at the bank, she has played a defining role in its growth, operational excellence and customer-focused culture. Most recently, Mayrant served as president and chief community … Read more
Jessica Cash has been promoted to chief credit officer at Houston-based Texas Gulf Bank. Since joining in 2022, she has overseen credit department operations, led the implementation of the bank’s loan origination system and built a credit analyst training program. In her new role, she will lead the bank’s credit strategy and risk governance as … Read more
The Liberty-based The First Liberty Bank board of directors has elected Robert Messer to the board. He brings more than four decades of financial and executive leadership experience, having served as senior executive vice president/chief financial officer of the American National Bank of Texas prior to his retirement. At American National Bank, he was responsible … Read more
The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) recently announced the elected board of directors for its 2026–27 fiscal year. The officers’ terms run from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. William Lucas, Shelby Savings Bank SSB in Center, has been named TBA chairman. The new vice chair is Michael Neill, First State Bank in Athens. Micah … 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
Jacksonville-based Austin Bank hired three team members in April, as announced by Jeff Austin III, chair. Dan Taylor has joined the bank as senior vice president/relationship manager in the Creekside Park location. He has a varied background in finance, banking, real estate, aviation and entrepreneurship. With two decades of experience in banking, he joins Austin … Read more
The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced senior leadership changes in its Greater Houston region. Rodney Nabors has been elected regional CEO, Bart Griffith has been promoted to Conroe market president and Brian Bonner has been promoted to executive vice president/senior lender for construction and development. “Rodney, Bart and Brian have … Read more
The Texas Bankers Hall of Fame on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville held its 13th Annual Gala on April 23. Five iconic bankers—Mark K. Johnson, Michael G. O’Rourke, Rogers Pope Jr., A. Ford Sasser III and Marelyn B. Shedd—were inducted. Established by the Smith-Hutson Endowed Chair of Banking at Sam Houston … Read more
In April, Henderson-based VeraBank announced a new commercial banker in Conroe, as well as a new wealth management team member. Billy Brannon has joined the bank as senior vice president/commercial banker at its Conroe location. He was born and raised in Conroe and is excited to return home to support the area where his roots … Read more