Austin Bank Opens New Banking Center in Gilmer

On July 12, Jacksonville-based Austin Bank and the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new full-service banking center in Gilmer, Texas. The event was well attended by members of the Chamber and Gilmer ISD, business leaders, the Austin Bank leadership team and employees, along with associates of … Read more

VeraBank Welcomes Zander as Treasury Management Officer in Georgetown

Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Tina Zander to serve as treasury management officer at its Georgetown branch. She will be responsible for relationship management and onboarding of new business accounts and business development through cross-selling of treasury management products and services. “With more than two decades of experience in community banking, Tina is an accomplished leader … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Hires Roddy as Senior Network Engineer and Perez as Banking Officer

Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced two new hires in July. Jesse Roddy has joined the bank in its technology division as assistant vice president and senior network engineer in Longview. He has 15 years of experience in the service provider space, with a focus on point-to-point, internet access and telephony services. He holds an … Read more

Happy State Bank’s Williamson Heads to St. Louis as First Bank President

Mikel Williamson, who served as president and CEO of Amarillo-based Happy State Bank until its 2022 merger with Conway, Arkansas-based Centennial Bank, has been named president of St. Louis, Missouri-based First Bank. He will also assume the role of CEO at the end of this year upon the retirement of Shelley Seifert, who has served … Read more

Challenging Some Traditional Myths in Community Bank Operations

By Achim Griesel and Dr. Sean Payant, Haberfeld Banking, and specifically community banking, is essential to the overall health of our country. By design, it serves as the backbone for our financial system and communities, while playing a crucial role in helping individuals, businesses and governments thrive. In this highly competitive environment, community banks must … Read more

In Memoriam: Mae Beth Palone, Former IBAT Employee

First National Bank of Giddings CEO Bill Landiss with IBAT’s Mae Beth Palone showing their respective allegiances in 2014Mae Beth Palone, who led the IBAT Leadership Division for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas for many years, passed away on June 25 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Palone was born in Klamath Falls, … Read more

VeraBank Welcomes Murray as Senior Vice President and Commercial Banker in Huntsville

Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Michelle Murray to join its Huntsville team as senior vice president and commercial banker. She previously served the bank in its Bryan/College Station market and brings more than 25 years of banking experience across many departments to her new role. A Lovelady native, Murray began working in the financial industry at … Read more

American Bank Names Gammon Director of Bank Operations

Tenured banking executive Eddie Gammon has joined Corpus Christi-based American Bank as its director of bank operations. Making the announcement was Todd Lee, chief information officer. Gammon will provide leadership to the bank operations team, ensuring that all activities are completed in compliance with applicable laws, regulatory guidelines and bank policies and procedures. He will … Read more

Frost Bank Announces Major Expansion Plans in Austin

On June 26, San Antonio-based Frost Bank announced that it will follow up on its successful expansion programs in the Houston and Dallas areas by doubling its number of financial centers in the Austin region by 2026. The company expects the expansion will further strengthen Frost Bank’s position in the Austin region, the third-largest deposit … Read more

Texas Regional Bank Breaks Ground in Rio Grande City

On June 15, Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction for its new banking center in Rio Grande City. The event commemorates the bank’s 30th location in Texas and 14th in the Rio Grande Valley region. The branch, located at 4389 E. U.S. Hwy. 83 Loop, is scheduled … Read more