TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
During the IBAT Connecting Leaders Conference held this summer in Galveston, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) presented its annual Excellence in Leadership Award. This year’s recipient was Jay Bearden, president and CEO of Legend Bank in Decatur. To be considered for the Excellence in Leadership Award, one must selflessly promote, support and serve … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University 2025 summer session wrapped up June 6 with a commencement ceremony for SWGSB Class LXVI at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Jan Mills, president and chair of First National Bank of Winnsboro and a graduate of SWGSB Class XL, delivered the commencement address … Read more
ORogers Pope Sr. and Rogers Pope Jr.n June 17, Rogers Pope Sr., chairman of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust, announced a significant leadership transition during the bank’s board of directors meeting. He is passing the gavel of chairmanship to his son, Rogers Pope Jr. He will remain active in the bank in his new role … Read more
Joe H. Sharp Jr., 86, a highly respected leader in the banking industry, passed away on June 30 in Longview. After graduating from Mineola High School in 1956, he earned a BBA degree in accounting from Southern Methodist University and gained his license as a certified public accountant. He also attended and later taught at … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has promoted Shelly Chambers to wealth management market manager for the Fort Worth region of The Private Bank at PlainsCapital. She joined The Private Bank in 2023 as senior vice president/senior wealth administrator and has more than 30 years of financial services experience in Texas. In her expanded role, Chambers will lead … Read more
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank announced two new hires and four promotions in July. Janice Spooner has joined NBT Financial Bank as senior vice president/Grapevine market president. She has more than 37 years of banking experience, specializing in commercial and consumer lending. Spooner is a graduate of the Texas Bankers Association Management Development Program and … Read more
Ben Ray has joined Arlington-based Susser Bank as vice president/relationship manager. Based in the bank’s Plano office, he will serve business owners, professionals and families across the Dallas/Fort Worth market. Ray brings more than seven years of commercial banking experience to his new post. His expertise is centered in commercial and industrial banking, with a … Read more
By ASCENSUS The SECURE Act—officially known as the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019—made significant changes to IRA and retirement plan rules, including to the beneficiary payout options. One of the most noteworthy changes involves the 10-year rule, which requires a total distribution of inherited assets by December 31 of the … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University (SWGSB) will hold its 160th Assembly for Bank Directors September 4–7 at the Newport Harbor Island Resort in Newport, Rhode Island. SWGSB Assemblies for Bank Directors attract banking leaders from across the country to address the latest issues affecting the industry. From nationally known authorities … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) Education Foundation, in conjunction with the SW Graduate School of Banking Foundation, announced that Kelsey Goates, vice president and market manager at TexasBank in Stephenville, and Leslie Gonzalez, senior vice president at Stockmens National Bank in Cotulla, have been selected as recipients of the 2025 Women in Community … Read more