TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank announced three personnel changes in March. Lee Beckelman has joined the bank as an advisory director. A graduate of the University of Texas–Austin, his past work experience includes positions at various banks, as well as several oil and gas companies. He currently serves as chief financial officer of Smart Sand … Read more
The Education Foundation of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) is gearing up for the fourth-annual IBAT EDGE, a program that offers two days of education, renowned industry keynote speakers and leadership development training focused on community banks in Texas. The goal is to Educate, Develop, Guide and Empower (EDGE) community bank employees. This … Read more
El Paso-based WestStar Bank has promoted Claudia Rodriguez to executive vice president. She oversees all aspects of risk management, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), financial intelligence unit (FIU), compliance, information security, legal, audit and loan review. With 23 years of experience in the banking sector, Rodriguez has dedicated the past 13 years of her career … Read more
On March 5, Third Coast Bancshares Inc., the holding company of Humble-based Third Coast Bank, announced the appointment of Eva Pawelek to serve as regional president and head of Houston corporate banking. She joined the organization in October 2025 following the merger between Third Coast Bancshares Inc. and Keystone Bancshares Inc. Pawelek will lead the … Read more
Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank has announced the appointment of Matt Cravey to its board of directors. He is the founder and president of Cravey Real Estate Services Inc. in Corpus Christi, the largest commercial real estate firm south of San Antonio. Cravey’s career spans more than 50 years. He first went into real estate in … Read more
By JAMES WHITE, EngageFI Scan the trade publications and conference agendas, and you’ll find a drumbeat of optimism: AI adoption is surging. Two-thirds of financial institutions are now “implementing AI.” Budgets are climbing. Use cases are multiplying. The future, we’re told, has arrived. But the banking industry is celebrating the wrong number. Here’s the problem. … Read more
On March 9, Journey Financial Group Inc. and Houston-based Lone Star Bank jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Journey will acquire Lone Star. The transaction is expected to close late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter of 2026. Journey Financial Group is led by Dean O. … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Reid Wendell to serve as senior vice president/senior relationship manager. Based at the bank’s Kirby location in Houston, he brings 15 years of commercial banking experience to his new role. Wendell oversees a portfolio of commercial clients, builds new banking relationships and leads analysts who support portfolio management. Wendell previously … Read more
In early March, Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust announced that Matthew Spivey has been promoted to market president for its Fort Worth location and Mason Whitmarsh has been promoted to assistant vice president and lending officer. Spivey joined Texas Bank and Trust as a senior vice president and commercial lender in the bank’s Fort Worth … Read more
On March 5, Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust announced key hires and promotions across multiple locations. This news comes in addition to the bank’s recent announcement that Craig Berry is succeeding Dwight Berry in the role of president; Dwight Berry will continue serving as chief executive officer and Craig Berry will continue as … Read more