Community Bankers Association Taps Foster, Briggs and Salazar for Government Affairs and Compliance Positions

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently announced two promotions and a new hire in the new year. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation with membership comprised of more than 2,000 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities. The organization is celebrating 50 years of service this … Read more

After Almost Three Decades, Scurlock Retiring from Community Banking Association

When Steve Scurlock retires on December 31 of this year, he will do so after almost 29 years of faithful service leading the government relations efforts of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). While intending to spend just a few years at IBAT and then move on, Scurlock instead became a champion for community … Read more

In Memoriam: Mae Beth Palone, Former IBAT Employee

First National Bank of Giddings CEO Bill Landiss with IBAT’s Mae Beth Palone showing their respective allegiances in 2014Mae Beth Palone, who led the IBAT Leadership Division for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas for many years, passed away on June 25 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Palone was born in Klamath Falls, … Read more

In Memoriam: Dan Flynn, Former Texas Legislator and Deputy Banking Commissioner

Dan Flynn, a former Texas state representative for Van Zandt, Hunt and Hopkins counties (District 2), passed away peacefully on October 28. He was 79. In addition to his legislative service, Flynn was a longtime community banker who also served as deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking. He is known for helping to … Read more

Scurlock, IBAT’s Government Relations Director, Honored with the Association’s Trailblazer Award

Steve Scurlock accepts the 2022 IBAT Trailblazer Award from Christopher Williston, IBAT’s president and CEO.The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Stephen Scurlock, IBAT’s director of government relations, with the association’s 2022 esteemed Trailblazer Award. He was honored in June during the 37th Annual Connecting Leaders Conference—the division’s flagship … Read more

SWGSB and IBAT to Host Certified Community Bank Director’s Program in October in Dallas

Board education and training are essential best practices in the new era of community banking. Regulatory expectations and wise management demand a skill set that many directors lack. The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation (SWGSB) and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) have recognized this and offer the Certified Community Bank Director’s (CCBD) … Read more

Certified Community Bank Director Program Goes Virtual in October

The sixth-annual Certified Community Bank Director’s program (CCBD) will be held via Zoom October 21–23. Spread over three afternoons, the program will feature the industry’s top minds discussing the essentials of community bank directorship in a time of unprecedented disruptions and black swans. From corporate governance and understanding performance metrics to risk management and compliance, … Read more