TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS

Stellar Bank

FHLB Dallas and Members Award More Than $1.8 Million as Partnership Grant Program Celebrates 30 Years

by

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and participating member financial institutions awarded more than $1.8 million to 71 community‑based organizations through its Partnership Grant Program (PGP) as the program marks its 30th anniversary. The awards were made in partnership with 44 member institutions in FHLB Dallas’ five‑state district of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, … Read more

Prosperity Bancshares Completes Merger with Stellar Bancorp

by

On July 1, Prosperity Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Houston-based Prosperity Bank, announced the completion of the merger of Stellar Bancorp Inc. with and into Prosperity and the merger of Stellar’s wholly owned subsidiary, Houston-based Stellar Bank with and into Prosperity Bank. Robert R. Franklin Jr., Stellar’s CEO and Stellar Bank’s executive chairman, joined … Read more

Texas Bankers Foundation Announces 2026 50-Year Banker Honorees

by

The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, has announced the 22 recipients of the 2026 50-Year Banker Awards. Each of the bankers selected is recognized for their exemplary and long-standing service to the banking industry. Launched in 1989 by the Texas Bankers Association, the 50-Year Banker Awards honor those who … Read more

Three Jacksonville-based Austin Bank Employees Hired in April

by

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

PlainsCapital Bank Welcomes Ballard and Retzer to Relationship Management Teams in The Woodlands and Denton

by

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank announced that it has hired two bankers to serve on the bank’s relationship management teams in The Woodlands and Denton. Jamie Ballard, CTP, has joined the bank as senior vice president/senior relationship manager. He will office out of The Woodlands branch at 1699 Research Forest Dr., Ste. 100. Ballard brings more than … Read more

Prosperity Bancshares and Stellar Bancorp Announce Merger

by

On January 28, Prosperity Bancshares Inc., the parent company of El Campo-based Prosperity Bank, and Stellar Bancorp Inc., the parent holding company of Houston-based Stellar Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Prosperity will acquire Stellar and Stellar Bank. Established in 2007, Stellar Bank operates 52 banking offices in greater Houston, Beaumont … Read more

Texas Gulf Bank Welcomes Chisolm as Commercial Loan Officer in Houston

by

Blake Chisolm has joined Houston-based Texas Gulf Bank as assistant vice president/commercial loan officer at its CityCentre location in Houston. He brings five years of banking experience with a focus on commercial lending. Chisolm previously worked as a banking officer at Stellar Bank in Bellaire for more than four years. Before that, he was an … Read more

Texas Bankers Association Announces 2025–26 Officers and Board of Directors

by

The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) recently announced the elected board of directors for its 2025–26 fiscal year. The officers’ terms run from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. Ron Butler, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA, has been named TBA chairman. The new vice chair is William … Read more

Stellar Bank Names Ensminger Chief Information Officer

by

Houston-based Stellar Bank has hired John Ensminger to serve as chief information officer. He brings more than two decades of experience in leading enterprise and global IT functions, driving technology strategy, innovation and transformation across various industries, including financial services, life sciences/biologics and internet startups. Prior to joining Stellar Bank, Ensminger served as executive vice … Read more

Texas Bankers Association Elects 2024–25 Officers and Board

by

The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) recently announced the elected officers and directors for the 2024–25 board: Chair Jan Mills, First National Bank of Winnsboro; Vice Chair Ron Butler, First Financial Bank in Abilene; Treasurer William Lucas, Shelby Savings Bank in Center; and Past Chair A. Ford Sasser III, of Rio Bank in McAllen. The officers’ … Read more