Texas City-based Texas First Bank has promoted John Morrell to chief credit officer and advisory director. He succeeds David A. Daspit, who, after more than 18 years of managing the credit department at Texas First Bank, is transitioning to take a credit advisory role.

Morrell joined Texas First Bank in 2020 as regional loan president for the Southeast Texas market and has successfully established the bank’s presence in the area while building his business-level credit risk, underwriting and compliance management skills alongside Daspit.

Prior to joining Texas First Bank, Morrell served as a commercial banker for more than a decade in the Golden Triangle of Texas. A Port Neches native, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and an MBA degree from Lamar University. He serves on the boards of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Beaumont Children’s Museum and Latin Mass Society of Beaumont.

“Over the past four years, John has done a great job growing our Golden Triangle market,” notes Chris Doyle, president and CEO. “He has shown that he not only understands what it means to be a community banker—involved in his community and understanding their needs—but he has a superior understanding of the credit side of the bank.”

Established in 1973, Texas First Bank has 26 locations throughout Galveston, Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Liberty, Montgomery and Jefferson counties.