TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Members of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA) are gathering in San Antonio this week, April 23–25, for the organization’s 140th Annual Convention. With the theme of “¡Viva! Los Banqueros,” the group has a full slate of education sessions, featured speakers, exhibits and networking opportunities to make the event enlightening, entertaining and fruitful. Special events at … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University has announced its highest honors for 2025. H. Gary Blankenship, chair, CEO and chief lending officer of Bank of the West, will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award on May 29. The following week, on June 5, Ron Butler, chair and CEO of … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University has announced new leadership and added three new trustees to its board of advisors. T. Gary Hudson, former president and CEO and current board member of Farmers & Merchant’s Bank, is the new SWGSB chair and R. Scott … Read more
The Cecil family is celebrating a centennial milestone, marking the 100th year of their leadership and family legacy at Paris-based The Liberty National Bank. In 1925, Jim Cecil, a prominent banker from Valliant, Oklahoma, moved to Paris, Texas, at the urging of his physician, Dr. L.P. McCuistion. McCuistion’s brother, Ed McCuistion, was the president of … Read more
Tupelo, Mississippi-based Cadence Bank has promoted Wayne Parkman to North Central Plains division president, overseeing six Cadence Bank branches covering Fort Worth and the greater Waco region. Parkman has been with Cadence Bank for nearly four years and in banking for 39 years. “Wayne is a proven leader both within Cadence as well as with … Read more
John E. Grist, chairman and CEO of Snyder-based West Texas State Bank, along with Chris Comer, Lubbock market president, announced two new officer hirings. Both join the team with experience in West Texas banking and both will office at the bank’s new branch at 7202 Slide Rd. in Lubbock. John E. Dolan joins the bank … Read more
Brownwood-based TexasBank has hired Jarrod Dickey and John Patterson as senior vice presidents of commercial lending in Parker County. Both bring extensive experience and strong community ties. Dickey has 23 years of expertise in commercial lending and business development. He is a graduate of the SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. A … Read more
The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced the promotion of Chris Schjetnan to executive vice president/director of community lending and outreach. In this role, he will lead the bank’s affordable banking initiatives, which focus on traditionally underserved communities. Schjetnan was born and raised in Mexico City in a bilingual household. “Chris’ … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has promoted commercial lending manager Seth Schulz to Lubbock market president, succeeding David Quintanilla, whose promotion to West Texas region chairman was announced in December and became effective on January 1. In addition, West Texas real estate lending manager Mark Rosenberg has been promoted to executive vice president. “Both [Shulz and Rosenberg] … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has promoted Shea Vestal to vice president/trust and wealth advisor. She will focus on the bank’s Henderson, Mt. Enterprise, Kilgore, Tatum and Carthage regions. Vestal joined VeraBank in 2010. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Stephen F. Austin State University and has completed the graduate program at the SW Graduate School … Read more