TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
The Federal Reserve Board of Governors has re-appointed Thomas J. Falk of Dallas as chair and Claudia Aguirre of Houston as deputy chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas board of directors for 2023. Falk joined the Dallas Fed board in 2019 and was appointed chair in 2022. He is the retired chairman and … Read more
Hillary Bryand has joined the staff of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust as vice president and mortgage loan originator in the bank’s Tyler Grande location. She most recently served as senior mortgage lender and branch manager for Cardinal Financial. Bryand has worked in the financial services industry for 20 years, garnering experience in customer service, … Read more
In 2006, Elaine Martin was working for the Elgin Bank of Texas when five Central Texas entrepreneurial partners approached her about writing a charter for a new bank. “I’ve worked with and around banks most of my life,” Martin recalls thinking. “How hard can it be?” Over the ensuing months, the answer to that question … Read more
Following last summer’s merger of Houston-based CommunityBank of Texas NA and Houston-based Allegiance Bank, the resulting Stellar Bancorp Inc. recently unveiled a logo for the new bank, Stellar Bank, which is expected to open for business in February. According to a press release issued to announce the transaction, the new bank is expected to have … Read more
On January 2, the Texas Bankers Hall of Fame announced its 2023 inductees who will be honored at the 10th Annual Texas Bankers Hall of Fame Gala, April 27 on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Five iconic bankers—Kenneth L. Burgess Jr., Ron Butler, James D. Goudge, J. Pat Parsons and the late … Read more
Hammond, Louisiana-based First Guaranty Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Guaranty Bancshares Inc. announced a definitive agreement to purchase Houston-based Lone Star Bank in an all-stock transaction. The combined financial institutions will have approximately $3.2 billion in total assets, $2.5 billion in total loans and $2.8 billion in total deposits. Established in 2006, Lone … Read more
The board of directors at Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank recently announced four promotions in the new year. Raleigh Cosby, senior vice president/commercial lender specializing in real estate, has been elected to serve on Charter Bank’s board of directors. He has been with the bank since 2007 and has more than 37 years of banking experience … Read more
On December 28, Odessa-based SouthWest Bank announced the appointment of Phil George as Odessa market president. He currently serves as the bank’s senior vice president of commercial lending. George replaces Paul Weaver, who has been elected as the bank’s chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2023. George has 19 years of experience in the banking … Read more
On December 5, Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank (TRB) announced the addition of insurance to its suite of financial services. TRB Insurance will offer a wide range of products and services, including home, auto and life insurance, as well as commercial insurance. The new TRB Insurance division was created with the acquisition of Mission Duncan Insurance … Read more
Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA recently opened its 79th branch, a 3,300-square foot location in Lumberton. The addition extends the bank’s Southeast Texas region’s reach further north into Hardin County. The region also has locations in Orange, Vidor, Mauriceville, Newton, Port Arthur and Beaumont. First Financial Bank expanded its footprint into Southeast Texas in 2013, … Read more