TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
By Pankaj Sarda | CSI Fraud rarely announces itself with one obvious event. It could start with a small, unfamiliar debit card charge or an urgent wire request. Those warnings may reach different teams or even a vendor. Without holistic visibility, that separation gives fraud room to grow into a more serious attack. To battle … Read more
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2026 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. This year, 24 community banks participated in the program, with 42 entries receiving awards. Now in its 35th year, the Best of Community Banking Awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of IBAT member banks … Read more
On September 14, Houston-based Third Coast Bank announced the appointment of Bernardo “Bernie” Lacayo as executive vice president/head of corporate banking. He joined the bank in March. Lacayo brings more than three decades of banking and financial services experience, with a track record of building corporate and middle-market banking businesses, developing specialized lending capabilities and … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Dick Sadka as senior vice president/senior relationship manager, serving commercial banking clients throughout the Houston market. He will be based at PlainsCapital’s Richmond Ave. banking center. Sadka brings more than 40 years of banking experience spanning commercial banking, treasury services, portfolio management and business development. Prior to joining PlainsCapital Bank, … Read more
Ozona Bank has announced the appointment of Marc Villarreal as San Antonio market president. With nearly two decades of banking experience, he has built his career around helping businesses, entrepreneurs and families achieve their financial goals through relationship-driven banking. Since beginning his banking career in 2007, Villarreal has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor, … Read more
The board of directors of Waco-based Community Bank & Trust announced that Benjamin “Ben” C. Lacy has been named president of the bank, effective immediately. David Lacy will remain chairman and CEO. As president, Ben Lacy will assume increased administrative and leadership responsibilities while continuing to serve as senior commercial lending officer. In his expanded … Read more
WestStar Bank Holding Company Inc., the holding company of El Paso-based WestStar Bank, and Las Vegas Bancorporation Inc., the holding company of Albuquerque-based Southwest Capital Bank, have entered into a definitive agreement to combine their organizations, creating a premier community banking franchise serving New Mexico and the Borderplex region. Southwest Capital Bank is expected to … Read more
On September 17, WestStar Bank announced the promotion of Trish Marquez to executive vice president and chief commercial banking officer. In her new role, she will lead the bank’s commercial lending, construction lending and treasury management teams. Marquez brings more than 41 years of banking experience to the position, including extensive leadership experience in commercial … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2026 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and New Mexico convened at Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock for the program. Established in 1973, the school offers a blend of traditional academic coursework and interactive lecture sessions hosted by … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has announced the launch of TRB Financial, a new core banking division that expands access to relationship banking through differentiated credit strategies, ongoing financial education and integrated community partnerships. TRB Financial’s first dedicated banking center, located at 332 Jefferson Blvd. in Oak Cliff, began serving customers on August 26. Citing an … Read more