TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
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
On February 25, Denver, Colorado-based FirstSun Capital Bancorp and Irving-based First Foundation Inc. jointly announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has approved the merger of their respective bank subsidiaries, Dallas-based Sunflower Bank NA and Irvine, California-based First Foundation Bank, with Sunflower Bank NA continuing as the surviving bank. Completion of the … Read more
On February 23, Texas Gulf Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Texas Gulf Bank NA, announced the appointment of Steve Thompson as president and chief executive officer of the bank. He will focus on accelerating the bank’s growth across its core footprint in Harris, Galveston and Brazoria counties. Thompson succeeds James F. Brown Jr., who … Read more
ORogers Pope Sr. and Rogers Pope Jr.n June 17, Rogers Pope Sr., chairman of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust, announced a significant leadership transition during the bank’s board of directors meeting. He is passing the gavel of chairmanship to his son, Rogers Pope Jr. He will remain active in the bank in his new role … Read more
Dallas-based Susser Bank has appointed Carl Cravens president and chief banking officer. In his expanded role, he will continue to report directly to Sam L. Susser, chairman and CEO, and assume responsibility for all commercial banking, credit functions and marketing across the bank’s footprint. Cravens joined Susser Bank in 2018 and has been instrumental in scaling … Read more
Two esteemed banking executives retired this spring from Mt. Pleasant-based Guaranty Bank & Trust. Clifton A. “Cappy” Payne has retired after 40 years with Guaranty Bank & Trust. He joined the bank in 1984, became controller in 1988 and was elected to the board of directors of both the bank and the holding company in … Read more
Jess Laird, vice chairman of Athens-based First State Bank, is retiring on March 12 after 36 years of service. Laird began his banking career with First State Bank in 1988 as a loan officer. In 1999, he was named president and chief executive officer. In 2019, he was elected vice chairman by the First State … Read more
On November 8, Corpus Christi-based American Bank announced that Byron Bexley has joined the team as vice chairman/San Antonio. In his role as market leader, he will oversee commercial banking activities in San Antonio. Bexley brings more than 40 years of banking experience, most recently serving as chairman and chief executive officer of TexStar National … Read more
The board of directors of The First National Bank of Sterling City has named Scot Long president and CEO. He replaces Roger D. Williams, who has held the office of president and CEO for the past 37 years. Williams will become an employee of the bank holding company, Sterling City Banc Shares Inc., and remain … Read more