TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Laredo-based IBC Bank has promoted Juan A. “John” Villarreal to executive vice president of IBC Bank–Laredo, recognizing his nearly four decades of service, banking expertise and commitment to the Laredo community. Villarreal began his career with IBC Bank in 1988 as a credit analyst. He was promoted to commercial lender in 1992 and has since … Read more
On August 6, Laredo-based IBC Bank announced the promotion of Gerald Schwebel to enterprise-wide president of international banking, recognizing his decades of service, leadership and contributions to the bank’s international operations. A respected authority on international trade, finance, transportation and U.S.-Mexico relations, Schwebel has headed IBC Bank’s corporate international division since 1996, overseeing its international banking … Read more
Abilene-based First Financial Bank opened a new full-service branch in Bee Cave in late October. The new branch expands the company’s presence into Central Texas and the greater Austin area. First Financial has maintained a mortgage loan production office in Bee Cave since 2020. The new full-service branch is the company’s 81st location and will operate … Read more
Omaha, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Southern Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Moulton-based SouthStar Bank. SouthStar Bank has $1.35 billion in assets with 16 full-service locations in Central Texas: Austin, Bee Cave, Brazoria, Bremond, Calvert, Franklin, Georgetown, Gonzales, Harker Heights, Hearne, Kerrville, Leander, Moulton, Round Rock and Shiner. In … Read more
On October 7, Third Coast Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Humble-based Third Coast Bank, and Great Plains Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Great Plains National Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Third Coast will acquire Great Plains in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately … Read more
In October, Memphis, Texas-based Bank19 announced the appointment of Ernesto J. Salazar as Amarillo market president as the bank seeks to expand its presence and strengthen its relationships across the Texas Panhandle. He brings more than 35 years of banking experience serving business owners, commercial clients, professionals and individuals. Salazar will lead Bank19’s Amarillo market … Read more
Dallas-based Susser Bank continues to expand its Dallas commercial banking team with the addition of Meredith Worley as senior vice president/relationship manager and Conner Heil as vice president/relationship manager. Worley brings more than 15 years of experience serving privately held businesses and business owners across North Texas. Her expertise includes commercial lending, sponsor lending, asset-based … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Brad Tidwell and Claire Renzetti with the IBAT Chairman’s Award. The IBAT Chairman’s Award is the association’s highest honor, recognizing individuals whose contributions extend beyond service to IBAT and demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the community banking industry as a whole. IBAT’s 2025–26 Chair Greg Wilson, … Read more
In August, Laredo-based IBC Bank announced the promotion of two longtime employees to market president positions in Laredo and San Antonio. Nativido “Nati” Lozano has been promoted to market president of IBC Bank–Laredo. Prior to his promotion, Lozano, who has more than 25 years of banking experience, oversaw the commercial lending division for the Laredo … Read more
College Station-based American Momentum Bank has launched a formal Energy Finance Division, expanding its commitment to serving companies across Texas’ energy sector and building on the bank’s existing relationships in the industry. American Momentum Bank has long served customers in the sector, particularly upstream oil and gas companies and energy service businesses. “Energy continues to … Read more