TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
On September 17, Rogers Pope Jr., chairman and CEO of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust, announced four promotions within the bank’s commercial lending department. Blake Bradshaw was promoted to vice president and commercial lending officer in Longview; Trey Cogswell and Will Pope were each promoted to assistant vice president and commercial lending officer in Frisco … Read more
Lubbock-based Victory Bank has hired Kyle Fernandez as vice president/Hill Country banking leader, a newly created role focused on growing the bank’s presence in the region. Stephen Harris, a Fredericksburg banker and business owner who serves as a Victory Bank ambassador, will help Fernandez expand the bank’s presence in the Hill Country. “Victory Bank already … Read more
Dallas-based Susser Bank continues to expand its Dallas commercial banking team with the addition of Meredith Worley as senior vice president/relationship manager and Conner Heil as vice president/relationship manager. Worley brings more than 15 years of experience serving privately held businesses and business owners across North Texas. Her expertise includes commercial lending, sponsor lending, asset-based … Read more
In late September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) announced that Gabe Guerra, president and CEO of Corpus Christi-based Kleberg Bank, has been elected chair of the IBAT board of directors for 2026–27. He officially accepted the position during the association’s 52nd Annual Convention held September 19–22 in San Antonio. In addition to Guerra, … Read more
El Paso-based WestStar has named Marcela Candia vice president/director of accounting. In her role, she oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and internal controls and works with senior leadership to support the bank’s financial objectives. Candia joined WestStar in 2022 and has more than 20 years of accounting experience across multiple industries. During her … Read more
On August 13, El Paso-based WestStar announced the appointment of Christopher Mims as vice president/information security officer. He will lead the development and management of the bank’s information security program, oversee regulatory compliance and align security initiatives with the bank’s strategic objectives. Mims brings 15 years of information technology and cybersecurity experience, with expertise in … Read more
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank has announced the addition of four banking professionals to its team. Randy McCauley has joined the bank as an advisory director. He brings more than 43 years of community banking experience, with a comprehensive background in lending, compliance, loan review, risk management and executive leadership. He is the principal consultant … Read more
Omaha, Nebraska-based Security National Bank of Texas has announced the promotion of a new leader for the bank’s commercial lending team and a new hire for SBA sales management. Ian Smith has been promoted to senior vice president/commercial lending team lead. He is based at the bank’s financial center at The Union in Dallas. In … Read more
The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University 2026 summer session wrapped up June 5 with a commencement ceremony for SWGSB Class LXVII at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. William T. Chittenden, Ph.D., president and CEO of SWGSB, delivered the commencement address to more than 350 guests celebrating 82 graduates from … Read more
The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) elected new executive committee members to its board during the 41st Annual Connecting Leaders Conference, held in June at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. Founded in 1985, the IBAT Leadership Division is dedicated to the development of tomorrow’s leaders in community banking. The … Read more