TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2025 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. McAllen-based Lone Star National Bank won Best of Show for its community service entry “Starr County Volunteerism.” The 2025 BOCB Best of Show, Community Spirit and Gold Eagle Award recipients were recognized at … Read more
Texas City-based Texas First Bank has hired Lee Garza to join its team in Pasadena as vice president/relationship manager. In addition, the bank has hired Tip Spata to serve as SBA business development officer and sales lead. With more than 20 years in banking, Garza brings a variety of experiences to his new position—from personal … Read more
In early July, catastrophic flash flooding swept through Central Texas, especially in the Hill Country, overwhelming rivers like the Guadalupe and devastating communities across Kerr, Comfort and Midland counties. Amid widespread destruction and an urgent need for relief, Texas’s community banks stepped up, demonstrating their longtime role as both local economic stewards and frontline responders … Read more
Texas City-based Texas First Bank has promoted John Morrell to chief credit officer and advisory director. He succeeds David A. Daspit, who, after more than 18 years of managing the credit department at Texas First Bank, is transitioning to take a credit advisory role. Morrell joined Texas First Bank in 2020 as regional loan president … Read more
To honor regional banks that positively impact their communities, Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group publish an annual list of “America’s Best Regional Banks [and Credit Unions]”* every December. The publication’s 2025 list includes 46 regional banks that operate in Texas, with 39 banks based in the Lone Star State. As Newsweek states, “Regional banks…are the … Read more
Connor Doyle has been promoted to assistant vice president/SBA business development officer at Texas City-based Texas First Bank. He previously worked at DSW Homes before joining Texas First Bank’s SBA team in 2021 as a business development specialist. He will office out of the bank’s Pearland financial center. Doyle holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from … Read more
Texas City-based Texas First Bank has promoted Jeffery Morgan to vice president/relationship manager in Conroe and the surrounding areas. Morgan joined the bank in 2019 as a credit analyst before transitioning to lender in 2020. Prior to joining Texas First Bank, he was an accounting technician intern at the Texas Department of Banking. A native … Read more
On June 3, Independent Banker, the flagship publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America, announced the recipients of its sixth annual “40 Under 40 Community Bank Leaders” Awards. The recognition pays tribute to an insightful group of professionals who have continuously stepped up to lend a hand, offer a new perspective or make a … Read more
Texas City-based Texas First Bank has hired Lincoln C. McKinnon to serve as chief operating officer. Taking on a new role within Texas First Bank, McKinnon is responsible for overseeing the organization’s strategic direction, project implementation and growth objectives, as well as supervising the retail, treasury management and operations teams. McKinnon joins the bank with … Read more
Texas City-based Texas First Bank recently announced that Ryan C. Doyle has been named chief financial officer and advisory director. He succeeds Timothy R. O’Brien, who, after eight years as CFO, is stepping back into a consultant role until his retirement in 2025. Doyle has also been appointed chief financial officer of Texas Independent Bancshares, … Read more