TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS

Texas community banking

VeraBank Welcomes Leonard as Senior Vice President and Commercial Banker in Austin

by

Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Dan Leonard for its commercial banking team. He will serve as senior vice president/commercial banker and office at the downtown Austin location. He has more than 22 years of experience serving the Austin business community. His responsibilities include commercial lending and deposit services, while also collaborating with commercial customers to deliver … Read more

2025 Women in Community Banking Conference Heads to Fort Worth in October

by

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ IBAT Education Foundation will host the 2025 Women in Community Banking Conference, October 22 and 23 in Fort Worth. A forum for women at all levels of the community banking industry to come together to share, learn and grow from one another’s experiences, the event will feature deep dives … Read more

First Bank Texas Appoints Drennan Chief Lending Officer

by

On August 18, Weatherford-based First Bank Texas announced the hiring of Mark Drennan to serve as chief lending officer. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in commercial banking across North Texas, he will oversee lending across the bank’s growing network of locations, working closely with commercial banking, commercial real estate, mortgage and consumer … Read more

First National Bank of Giddings Celebrates 135 Years of Service

by

The First National Bank of Giddings is celebrating a milestone this year—135 years of serving Lee County’s residents and businesses. To mark the anniversary, the bank hosted a festive block‑party on July 11 featuring music, giveaways, food and a live KTEX‑106 broadcast complete with a “Wagon Wheel of Prizes.” The event offered an opportunity to … Read more

Comerica Bank Appoints Jeffrey Market President in Austin

by

In late June, Dallas-based Comerica Bank announced that Stephen Jeffrey has been named senior vice president/Austin market president. He will lead market strategy, collaboration, community development and overall growth, as well as direct the region’s commercial team as group manager of business banking and middle market. “What sets Stephen apart is not just his expertise … Read more

Commercial Bank of Texas Taps Williams for Commercial Lending and Business Development in Jefferson County

by

Nacogdoches-based Commercial Bank of Texas has named Austin Williams vice president of commercial lending and business development for Jefferson County. Williams has more than 25 years of leadership experience in business development, commercial lending and community engagement across Southeast Texas. He is a graduate of the Commercial Lending Program at Southern Methodist University, holds a … Read more

Arkansas-based Bank OZK Continues Texas Expansion in Houston, Austin and Colleyville

by

Little Rock, Arkansas-based Bank OZK is ramping up its presence in Texas, recently unveiling new branch locations across major metro areas. According to the Arkansas Business Journal, Bank OZK is accelerating its footprint in Texas and Georgia, announcing plans for new branch openings in both states as part of its broader growth strategy. Earlier this … Read more

Whitson and Saucillo Appointed Deputy Commissioners at the Texas Department of Banking

by

On August 15, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced the appointment of two deputy commissioners, Jared A. Whitson and Jesus “Jesse” Saucillo, to the Texas Department of Banking. These structural changes also include the elevation of Deputy Commissioner Wendy Rodriguez to executive deputy commissioner. Whitson has served the department for more than 21 years, … Read more

Community Banks Provide Relief to Those Affected by the July Floods in Central Texas

by

The July 4 and 5 flash floods across Central Texas—particularly along the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country—resulted in more than 135 deaths, a handful of people still missing and catastrophic financial impacts in the multi-billion-dollar range, with some estimates between $18 and $22 billion. Texas banks rallied immediately to help in the aftermath of the … Read more

Powell State Bank Changing Name to Producer Bank of Texas

by

Beaumont-based Producer Bancorp, the holding company for Powell-based Powell State Bank, has announced that the bank will officially become Producer Bank of Texas on August 25. As reported in Bankers Digest in January, Producer Bancorp announced its official status as a bank holding company with the closing of its acquisition of Powell State Bank. According … Read more