On April 29, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced the approval of Texas Traditions Bank in Katy—the first de novo state bank charter since September 2019. The bank is anticipated to serve customers primarily in Fort Bend County and portions of Harris and Waller counties.

Subject to the granting of deposit insurance by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Texas Traditions Bank is expected to open in mid-August 2022 with a minimum capital amount of $31.5 million. Organizers (and board members) include William J. Kacal, who will serve as chairman; Ryan Whitzel and Keith Badough, who will each serve as vice chairman; and Michael Dierschke, Rand Lassus, Matthew Mabry, Samuel Morris, John Pritchett, Vicki Keiser and Darren Miller.

“The formation of this new state bank is another positive sign for the Texas economy and the Houston area in particular,” Cooper says. “This new bank also reflects community leaders seeing the advantage of a locally owned and managed financial institution. The Texas economy is best served with a strong community banking system that provides credit opportunities to small businesses and consumers.”