TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
On December 1, Ernst & Young LLP announced that John D. Steinmetz, president and CEO of Dallas-based Vista Bank, has been named a 2025 “Entrepreneur of the Year” national finalist, following his selection as a Southwest regional award winner in June. Steinmetz was chosen from a group of 221 “Entrepreneur of the Year” regional winners, … Read more
American Banker has released its 2025 list of the “Best Banks to Work For,” which includes 13 banks based in Texas and banks that do significant business in the Lone Star State. The 2025 list of the 90 best banks has a few newcomers, including the one that nabbed the No. 1 spot—Wood & Huston … Read more
In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored the 2025 top winners of its Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. McAllen-based Lone Star National Bank won Best of Show for its community service entry “Starr County Volunteerism.” The 2025 BOCB Best of Show, Community Spirit and Gold Eagle Award recipients were recognized at … Read more
On September 15, Denver-based National Bank Holdings Corp., the holding company for NBH Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire Vista Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Dallas-based Vista Bank with operations in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Lubbock, as well as Palm Beach, Florida. The transaction is expected to close in … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2025 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and three other states convened at Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock for the program. Established in 1973, the school offers a blend of traditional academic coursework and interactive lecture sessions hosted … Read more
On August 5, Dallas-based Vista Bank announced the appointment of Mandy Austin as president of corporate banking. She has more than 20 years of experience in strategic financial leadership. Austin spent 18 years at Bank of Texas, serving as Dallas market president and CEO, leading the corporate banking division. Under her leadership, the Dallas region … Read more
On April 30, Dallas-based Vista Bank announced the appointment of Bob Mahalik, a seasoned financial expert with more than 40 years of regulatory experience at the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, to senior vice president, director of strategic initiatives and mergers-and-acquisitions (M&A) advisor. The move signals a deepening of the Vista Bank M&A bench as it positions … Read more
Loan Production Offices The OCC reports that it has approved an application by First National Bank Texas, based in Killeen, to establish a loan production office at 641 N. Stanton Dr. in El Paso. Branches The OCC reports that it has approved an application by Woodforest National Bank, based in The Woodlands, to establish a … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Independent Bank, based in McKinney, has applied to merge into SouthState Bank NA, based in Winter Haven, Florida. Main Offices The OCC reports that it has approved an application by The First National Bank of Eagle Lake, based in Eagle Lake, to relocate its home office from 100 … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that Sunflower Bank, based in Dallas, has withdrawn its application to merge with HomeStreet Bank NA, based in Seattle, Washington, and has also withdrawn its application to convert to a national association. Branches The OCC reports that VeraBank NA, based in Henderson, has applied to establish a branch at … Read more