TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Laredo-based IBC Bank has promoted Juan A. “John” Villarreal to executive vice president of IBC Bank–Laredo, recognizing his nearly four decades of service, banking expertise and commitment to the Laredo community. Villarreal began his career with IBC Bank in 1988 as a credit analyst. He was promoted to commercial lender in 1992 and has since … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University (SWGSB) is now accepting applications for the 2027 session of its graduate banking program, a nationally recognized, three-year executive education experience designed to develop the knowledge, leadership capabilities and professional relationships that banking and financial services professionals need to advance their careers and strengthen their … Read more
Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has hired Scott Haygood as commercial relationship manager/regional executive vice president and Merritt Grimm as commercial relationship banker/senior vice president, serving the East Texas region. They will office at Origin Bank’s Longview Financial Center at 3805 N. Spur 63. “They were both born and raised [in East Texas], and they’ve strengthened … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business (SWGSB) has added a new trustee to its board of advisors. Kit Sawers, inaugural CEO of Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) new Dallas office and a vice president of the university, has joined the SWGSB board as the SMU representative. In her … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has appointed Trey Willerson, CFA, president of TRB Trust & Wealth Management. He will continue to serve as chief investment officer, leading Texas Regional Bank’s Houston-headquartered trust and wealth division, which manages more than $4 billion in assets and serves clients throughout Texas. Willerson joined Texas Regional Bank in 2024 as … Read more
The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced several leadership transitions and executive promotions within its Abilene region. Following a distinguished career and 35 years of dedicated service to First Financial Bank, Marelyn Shedd has announced she will retire in December. She joined the bank as senior vice president of commercial lending … Read more
Wellington-based Wellington State Bank has announced the retirement of Quinn Alexander, senior vice president and branch president of the bank’s Canyon location, following a career of more than 40 years in the Texas Panhandle. Friends, colleagues, family and community members gathered on July 30 in Canyon for a retirement celebration. Before joining Wellington State Bank … Read more
Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has hired three banking professionals to join its team in North Texas. John Klein joins Origin Bank as a relationship manager at its Preston Financial Center in Dallas. He has more than 21 years of experience in banking, specializing in real estate, middle-market and small-business lending. Klein earned a BA degree … 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
In June, Houston-based Gulf Capital Bank announced that longtime Houston banker Brent Harraman has joined the bank as senior vice president/business banking director. Harrraman joins Gulf Capital Bank after serving for more than 14 years at Comerica Bank. His last position there was as senior vice president, regional director/small-business banking for Texas, Arizona and Florida. … Read more