TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced the election of Jeff Vorhees to serve as executive vice president and treasurer. Vorhees most recently served as director of corporate treasury at McKinney-based Independent Financial, a $19 billion public bank. Prior to that, he held positions in asset liability management consulting, investment banking … Read more
Dallas-based Polunsky Beitel Green LLP, a prominent residential mortgage law firm that serves Texas banks, announced that Hannah Barton has joined its business development team. She brings more than 12 years of experience in the residential mortgage industry, including expertise in client success, strategic partnerships and operational leadership. She is based in the firm’s Dallas … Read more
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank announced in April that Cody Adams has been promoted to assistant vice president and credit analyst. He joined the bank in 2021 as a loan processor and soon transferred to the credit department. Adams holds a BBA degree in sports business from Stephen F. Austin and is currently enrolled at … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University has announced its highest honors for 2025. H. Gary Blankenship, chair, CEO and chief lending officer of Bank of the West, will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award on May 29. The following week, on June 5, Ron Butler, chair and CEO of … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University has announced new leadership and added three new trustees to its board of advisors. T. Gary Hudson, former president and CEO and current board member of Farmers & Merchant’s Bank, is the new SWGSB chair and R. Scott … Read more
Tupelo, Mississippi-based Cadence Bank has promoted Wayne Parkman to North Central Plains division president, overseeing six Cadence Bank branches covering Fort Worth and the greater Waco region. Parkman has been with Cadence Bank for nearly four years and in banking for 39 years. “Wayne is a proven leader both within Cadence as well as with … Read more
John E. Grist, chairman and CEO of Snyder-based West Texas State Bank, along with Chris Comer, Lubbock market president, announced two new officer hirings. Both join the team with experience in West Texas banking and both will office at the bank’s new branch at 7202 Slide Rd. in Lubbock. John E. Dolan joins the bank … Read more
J. Pat Hickman, former chairman, president and CEO at Happy-based Happy State Bank, passed away on March 1. He was 72. In 1970, Hickman first enrolled at Texas Tech University, but he spent most of his time with his brothers in Phi Delta Theta rather than in the classroom. He resumed his higher education at … Read more
Paul Davidson has joined San Antonio-based Texas Partners Bank to serve as chief banking officer. With more than 40 years of experience in the banking industry, he specializes in developing and implementing sales and growth strategies that create transformative opportunities. Prior to joining Texas Partners Bank, Davidson was regional chair and Houston market president at … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank announced that it has hired Nick Davis to serve as lending officer for the Park Cities market in Dallas. In this role, he will leverage more than 15 years of experience in commercial lending, financial management and business development. The Park Cities banking center, which is expected to open in the … Read more