TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS



WestStar Promotes Monarez to Senior Vice President

El Paso-based WestStar Bank has promoted Priscilla Monarez to senior vice president. She has played a central role in strengthening the bank’s commitment to El Paso’s small-business community. Recognizing the necessity of having a dedicated division to support the unique needs of small businesses, she led the development and stabilization of the bank’s small-business division in … Read more

Pilgrim Bank Promotes Snodgrass to Tyler Market President

Pittsburg-based Pilgrim Bank has announced the promotion of Jason Snodgrass to market president/Tyler. He joined the bank in 2018 and currently serves in Mount Pleasant as senior vice president/market leader for Northeast Texas. Pilgrim Bank has steadily expanded its presence across East Texas in recent years, and Snodgrass will play an important role in strengthening the … Read more

Jacksonville-based Austin Bank Announces Employee Promotions in March

Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced promotions of 
employees approved at the March board meeting. Troy Moore has been named regional president for the North region. He joined the bank in December 2025 as executive vice president/deputy regional president, working from the Longview Oak Forest office. With 33 years … Read more

PlainsCapital Bank Welcomes White as Senior Relationship Manager in San Antonio

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank announced that Anthony White has joined its San Antonio lending team as senior vice president/senior relationship manager. He will be based at the bank’s Renaissance Plaza location at 70 N.E. Loop 410. White brings nearly 30 years of experience in commercial and corporate lending. His background includes serving clients in the commercial, … Read more

NBT Financial Bank Hires Beckelman, Potts and Batton

Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank announced three personnel changes in March. Lee Beckelman has joined the bank as an advisory director. A graduate of the University of Texas–Austin, his past work experience includes positions at various banks, as well as several oil and gas companies. He currently serves as chief financial officer of Smart Sand … Read more

Wendell Joins PlainsCapital Bank as Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Reid Wendell to serve as senior vice president/senior relationship manager. Based at the bank’s Kirby location in Houston, he brings 15 years of commercial banking experience to his new role. Wendell oversees a portfolio of commercial clients, builds new banking relationships and leads analysts who support portfolio management. Wendell previously … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Announces Officer Promotions in Fort Worth Office

In early March, Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced that Matthew Spivey has been promoted to market president for its Fort Worth location and Mason Whitmarsh has been promoted to assistant vice president and lending officer. Spivey joined Texas Bank and Trust as a senior vice president and commercial lender in the bank’s Fort Worth … Read more

American National Bank & Trust Announces New Hires and Key Promotions

On March 5, Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust announced key hires and promotions across multiple locations. This news comes in addition to the bank’s recent announcement that Craig Berry is succeeding Dwight Berry in the role of president; Dwight Berry will continue serving as chief executive officer and Craig Berry will continue as … Read more

Simmons Bank Promotes Condley to Lead Private Banking in Texas and Oklahoma

On March 2, Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based Simmons Bank announced the promotion of Laura Condley to private banking market executive. In her new position, she will oversee all private banking activities in the Oklahoma and Texas markets. Condley started her banking career at Simmons Bank as a market retail manager. Throughout her tenure, she advanced to … Read more

SouthStar Bank Hires Waters as Gerogetown Branch Executive

Charlie Waters has joined Moulton-based SouthStar Bank as senior vice president and branch executive at the Georgetown office. He holds more than a decade of experience in the banking industry with a strong focus on commercial real estate. Before joining SouthStar Bank, Waters was vice president/commercial loan officer at The Commercial National Bank of Brady’s … Read more