TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
On August 3, Columbus, Ohio-based The Huntington National Bank announced the appointment of Blake Absher as Central Texas division president. Based in Austin, he will lead the bank’s client strategy and growth across Austin, San Antonio, Waco and Bryan/College Station. The Huntington National Bank has 145 banking offices in Texas. Absher brings more than 20 … Read more
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
On July 13, Third Coast Bancshares Inc., the holding company of Humble-based Third Coast Bank, announced that it has closed the sale of substantially all of the assets of Third Coast Commercial Capital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank, to New Orleans, Louisiana-based Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. “The sale…allows us to … Read more
In June, San Antonio-based Vantage Bank announced the appointment of Alejandro “Alex” Martinez as its new Brownsville market president. With more than 24 years of experience in commercial banking, sales and marketing—including 22 years serving Cameron County—he will lead the bank’s efforts throughout the Brownsville region. Martinez holds a bachelor’s degree in international marketing from … Read more
Arlene Carroll has joined the leadership team at San Antonio-based Vantage Bank to serve as executive vice president and El Paso market president. A native El Pasoan with family roots spanning more than 100 years in the area, she began her banking journey as a part-time teller while earning her degree at the University of … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University 2026 summer session wrapped up June 5 with a commencement ceremony for SWGSB Class LXVII at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. William T. Chittenden, Ph.D., president and CEO of SWGSB, delivered the commencement address to more than 350 guests celebrating 82 graduates from … Read more
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based MidFirst Bank, the largest privately owned bank in the nation, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dallas Capital Bank. Dallas Capital Bank, with $1.2 billion in assets, provides entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals with elevated banking service. Since its founding, the bank has grown under the leadership … Read more
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
Kenneth Kuntschik, regional director of the San Antonio office for the Texas Department of Banking, is retiring with more than 22 years of service with the agency. His retirement will be effective August 31. “Kenneth has served for almost 37 years as a banking regulator,” notes Charles G. Cooper, commissioner. “He has been a valuable … Read more
San Antonio-based Broadway Bank has once again partnered with Caritas of Austin for the third annual “Beat the Heat” donation drive, helping protect individuals experiencing homelessness from extreme summer temperatures. The campaign is being held June 1–15 and invites communities to donate essential items that provide relief during the hottest months of the year. Every donation … Read more