Cullen/Frost Bankers Announces Two Additions to Board; Avery to Retire

On January 30, the board of directors of Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc., parent company of San Antonio-based Frost Bank, announced that two new directors, Marsha M. Shields and Jeff Rummel, have been elected to the board. Shields is the CEO and managing partner of McCombs Enterprises and oversees the Red McCombs family’s core businesses, including Red … Read more

First United Bank Welcomes Grossman to Commercial Lending Team

Dimmitt-based First United Bank has hired Craig Grossman to serve as vice president of commercial lending at the bank’s northwest Lubbock branch. The hiring was announced by R. Mark Bain, CEO. Grossman brings more than eight years of commercial banking experience to First United Bank. He spent five years with Lubbock National Bank serving as … Read more

SW Graduate School of Banking Announces 2026 Program Schedule

The SW Graduate School of Banking at SMU Cox (SWGSB) in Dallas recently announced its program schedule for 2026. Since 1957, SWGSB has been a leader in developing banking talent nationwide. Known for its rigorous curriculum and powerful professional network, SWGSB delivers immersive learning experiences that prepare financial services professionals to lead in an evolving … Read more

Traweek, Erebia and Smaistrla Named Executive Vice Presidents at Amegy Bank

Houston-based Amegy Bank announced the promotion of three long-standing leaders—Adam Traweek, Amanda Erebia and Ray Smaistrla—to executive vice president. Adam Traweek was promoted to commercial lending manager/executive vice president, overseeing the Southwest commercial banking team. He joined the bank 19 years ago and has held several leadership roles, including co-sponsor of the banker development program … Read more

USPS Changes Financial Organizations Can’t Ignore

By JODIE NORQUIST, CIP, CHSP ASCENSUS For decades, the phrase “as long as it’s postmarked by the deadline” has been a comforting refrain in the retirement and health-savings world. When a prior-year IRA contribution is mailed on April 15, or other time-sensitive tax forms are headed to the IRS, the U.S. Postal Service postmark has … Read more

Oklahoma-based Blue Sky Bank Hires Shaw as East Dallas Market President

Pawhuska, Oklahoma-based Blue Sky Bank has hired Chris Shaw to serve as East Dallas market president. He joins the team with more than 25 years of experience in commercial, industrial and business banking. Before joining Blue Sky Bank, Shaw was with b1Bank for more than eight years, capping his tenure there as Dallas market president. … Read more

Prosperity Bancshares and Stellar Bancorp Announce Merger

On January 28, Prosperity Bancshares Inc., the parent company of El Campo-based Prosperity Bank, and Stellar Bancorp Inc., the parent holding company of Houston-based Stellar Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Prosperity will acquire Stellar and Stellar Bank. Established in 2007, Stellar Bank operates 52 banking offices in greater Houston, Beaumont … Read more

City Bank’s Edwards Retires After 77 Years in Banking

Clara Edwards retired from Lubbock-based City Bank’s Monahans branch on December 31, 2025—capping a career that spanned 77 years. “We are so proud of Clara and all she has done in her 77 years of banking,” Cory T. Newsom, CEO, told KCBD News in Lubbock. “She is an extraordinary example of someone who puts her … Read more

Lubbock’s First United Bank Announces 2026 Promotions

Plains Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Dimmitt-based First United Bank and Spirit Mortgage, announced 11 company promotions in the new year. Staci Ortiz: senior vice president of Spirit Mortgage. She has been with the bank since 2017 and has 20 years of mortgage experience. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in … Read more

Cupps Named Senior Vice President and Tuscola Market President at Texas National Bank

On January 5, Sweetwater-based Texas National Bank announced that Slade Cupps has been named senior vice president/Tuscola market president. He succeeds Joel Terry, who retired in 2024 after more than 20 years serving the Tuscola community. A native of Tuscola, Slade is a true hometown banker who brings a decade of community banking experience and a deep understanding … Read more