TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
On October 16, Cornerstone Capital Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Houston-based Cornerstone Capital Bank, and Peoples Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Lubbock-based Peoples Bank, announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Cornerstone will acquire Peoples. This transaction marks Cornerstone’s first bank acquisition since its merger with Roscoe Bank in 2022. Upon … Read more
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Keith Hughey, founder of J. Keith Hughey Co., with its prestigious IBAT President’s Award. The honor is bestowed each year at the sole discretion of President and CEO Christopher Williston to an associate member who goes above and beyond in serving the community banking industry … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas have announced that Brandy Patterson, digital compliance officer at Compliance Select, has been elected 2025–26 president of Financial Women in Texas (FWIT). A longtime FWIT member, Patterson previously served as the association’s secretary and as vice president of its Gulf Coast chapter. With more than 17 years of community … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced in late September that Brad Giddens, director of sales for the financial institutions division at Integris, now serves as chair of the IBAT Associate Member Advisory Council. He was elected to this position during the association’s 51st Annual Convention held September 20–23 in Fort Worth. IBAT’s Associate … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking will convene its 2026 program the week of August 9–14 at the Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock. For 51 years, the school has partnered with hundreds of community banks to bring together thousands of bankers seeking to advance their careers as … Read more
Dallas-based Susser Bank has appointed Aaron Loose senior vice president/commercial banking to its downtown Fort Worth office. He is a seasoned banker and investor with more than 18 years of experience across commercial banking, private equity and capital markets. “Aaron combines deep banking expertise with a strong understanding of the investor landscape, positioning him to help … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has named Ann Margaret Herrmann senior vice president and Tomball/Cypress market president. She will lead the bank’s market strategy and business development efforts in Tomball, Cypress and the greater Northwest Houston area. Herrmann’s appointment comes as Texas Regional Bank continues its strategic expansion in Houston. It recently opened a new branch in … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Kathy Smith with the IBAT Chairman’s Award. She is the founder and principal of BCC (Bank Compensation Consulting), a Plano-based bank-owned life insurance consulting firm serving banks nationwide. IBAT’s 2024–25 Chair Tracy Harris, chief strategic planning and project officer at Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank, presented the … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has promoted Parker Bradham to executive vice president/regional president. He will oversee the growth and management of the Longview market, which includes the White Oak and Lakeport branches. Parker has been with VeraBank since 2019, starting as a financial analyst and later transitioning to commercial banker. Prior to joining VeraBank, he was a … Read more
Donald “Craig” Smith, 75, of Runaway Bay passed away on September 21. He served in the Texas banking industry for more than three decades. During his high school years in Jacksoro, Smith was named to the all-state football team, was a proud member of the multi-year state championship golf team and was honored as “Mr. … Read more