TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS

Texas community banking

Harmony Bank Names Witherspoon Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

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On May 4, Dallas-based Harmony Bank announced that it has hired Anne Witherspoon to serve as executive vice president and chief operating officer. She brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in banking operations, client experience, treasury services, project and product management, training and development and compliance management. Prior to joining Harmony Bank, Witherspoon was … Read more

Alabama-based Regions Bank Appoints Clemmons Texas Consumer Banking Executive

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Birmingham, Alabama-based Regions Bank announced the appointment of Christina Clemmons to serve as Texas consumer banking executive, a senior leadership role overseeing retail-banking operations across Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Tyler and other Texas markets. She succeeds Michael Pardue, who now serves as retail segment program manager supporting branch operations across Region Bank’s 15-state retail-banking footprint. … Read more

VeraBank Awards $12,500 in Scholarships to Outstanding Students

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On May 6, Henderson-based VeraBank announced the recipients of its 2026 Scholarship Program, awarding five $2,500 scholarships to exceptional students whose parents are part of the VeraBank family. This year’s scholarship recipients are: Coy Becka, senior at Caldwell High School, Caldwell (son of Melanie Becka); Zachary Leonard, senior at Westlake High School, Austin (son of … Read more

PlainsCapital Bank Welcomes Vernetti to Wealth Management Team in Lubbock

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Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Jeannie Vernetti, CTFA FPQP, to join The Private Bank at PlainsCapital as vice president/ wealth management administrator. She will be based at the bank’s 50th and University location in Lubbock. Vernetti joins PlainsCapital Bank with more than 20 years of experience in trust and wealth management. Most recently, she served … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Announces
Recent Officer Promotions

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Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced several promotions at its employee awards dinner held in Longview in March. Jorge Acuna was promoted to vice president/commercial lending officer, lending. He has worked for Texas Bank and Trust for the past eight years in the lending division, previously serving as a credit analyst and portfolio manager before … Read more

Jefferson Bank Hires Longoria, Payero and Allen; Promotes Scott

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San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank has added three new bankers and promoted one. Gabe Longoria has joined Jefferson Bank as executive vice president/chief information officer. He brings more than 20 years of technology leadership in financial services, specializing in digital transformation, infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity. Before joining Jefferson Bank, he served as senior vice president/chief information … Read more

Bastrop Bancshares Announces Agreement to Acquire Columbus Bancorp

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On April 28, Bastrop Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Bastrop-based First National Bank of Bastrop, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Columbus Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Columbus-based The First State Bank, for cash consideration. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. According to … Read more

Community Bankers’ 2026 Connecting Leaders Conference Vital for Tomorrow’s Bank Executives

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Registration for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ (IBAT) 41st Annual Connecting Leaders Conference, the IBAT Leadership Division’s flagship event, is now open. Texas community bankers are encouraged to attend the family-friendly event being held June 25–27 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. IBAT’s Connecting Leaders Conference brings together rising community bank leaders for … Read more

Dogwood Festival Names Citizens State Bank CEO ‘Mr. East Texas’

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Harry J. “Johnny” Brooks, chair and CEO of Woodville-based Citizens State Bank, has been named 2026 Mr. East Texas as part of the community’s 83rd Annual Tyler County Dogwood Festival in Woodville, held on weekends in March and April. The Dogwood Festival is the longest-running outdoor celebration in Texas. Citizens State Bank has supported it … Read more

El Paso’s WestStar Bank Announces Four April Promotions

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In April, El Paso-based WestStar Bank announced four promotions. Mara Portillo has been promoted to senior vice president/compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer. With more than 16 years of experience in the banking industry, including 14 years at WestStar Bank, she will expand her leadership role by overseeing the bank’s CRA initiatives. Portillo will … Read more