TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
The First National Bank of Central Texas, based in Waco, has hired Liz Barton to serve as vice president/director of human resources. The announcement was made by Joe Barrow, chairman and CEO. Barton is responsible for developing and executing human resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the organization, … Read more
Longtime Texas lawyer and banker John B. Selman passed away on February 18 at the age of 91. The focus of his career was bringing banking to citizens in underserved areas in Texas and his Christian calling to serve the less fortunate. After graduating from the University of Texas–Austin with BBA and LLB degrees and … Read more
On February 23, San Antonio-based Jefferson Bank announced the execution of a planned succession of its chairman and president roles. After 17 years, Steve Lewis has stepped down from his position as chairman of the board, but will continue as member of the board of directors. Paul McSween III, who has served as president for … Read more
Jacksonville-based Austin Bank promoted two employees in February. Danielle Merkley has been elected bank officer. She joined Austin Bank in 2011 as a teller in the Longview Oak Forest office. In 2012, she transitioned to a customer service representative at the Greggton location in Longview, where she also served as a CSR regional trainer. She … Read more
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank recently announced two promotions and a new hire. Lacy Samples has been promoted to senior vice president/senior compliance officer. She has been in banking for more than 20 years and with NBT Financial Bank since 2019. Samples holds certifications as a certified regulatory compliance manager, certified community bank risk specialist, … Read more
Jerry Craft, chairman of the board at Jacksboro National Bank, celebrates a career milestone this year: 50 years as a Texas community banker. His service has not gone unnoticed. “As old as I am, I better have done something in my life,” Craft told North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine in 2014. He certainly has … Read more
By Sean C. Payant, Ph.D. Many bank executives spend considerable time thinking about strategies to improve overall profitability and create sustainable growth. According to what is conveyed in banking industry publications and gleaned at trade shows and conferences, the industry’s best practices generally focus on strategies to cut expenses—using technology, looking at staffing levels, increasing … Read more
Woodway-based Alliance Bank Central Texas hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new banking center in Temple on February 16. The full-service bank will be located at 408 Hilliard Rd. and mark the seventh branch spread out around Central Texas in Waco, Temple, Belton, Georgetown, Donie and Jewett. The project is scheduled to be completed in … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Stephanie Gomez to serve as treasury management officer in the bank’s Bryan/College Station, Huntsville and Conroe markets. Gomez has worked with VeraBank for nearly five years and most recently served as the assistant branch manager at the College Station branch. She holds a BS degree from Texas A&M University. “We couldn’t … Read more
Lubbock-based Plains Bancorp Inc., the holding company for First United Bank, has announced the following promotions: Amy Punchard, senior vice president, has been with the bank since 2012 and has almost 19 years of marketing experience. She serves as chief marketing director and offices at the Lubbock-Northwest banking center. Cheryl Huey, senior vice president, has … Read more