TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
Dallas-based Vista Bank is expanding its footprint to Florida, the company’s first location outside of Texas, according to the South Florida Business Journal. The bank has taken office space on the first floor of the Divosta Towers in Palm Beach Gardens and plans to open a branch in mid-August. The Journal reports that Dan Sheehan, a … Read more
In June, Midland-based Community National Bank announced several new officers and officer promotions: Charlie Parks has joined the bank as senior vice president/Lubbock market; Griselda Leyva has been hired to serve as bank officer/loan serving manager; Crystal Wagoner has joined as senior vice president/compliance and risk officer; Selena Martinez has been hired as assistant vice … Read more
On June 1, William “Tex” Gross, chairman of Dallas-based Commerce Street Holdings, and Charles G. Cooper, commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking, were honored by the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at Southern Methodist University. During an awards banquet, Gross received SWGSB’s Distinguished Service Award Award and Cooper received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. … Read more
Brittani Gunnels has joined the staff of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust as assistant vice president and mortgage loan originator in the bank’s Richardson location. She has worked in the financial services industry for 12 years. Gunnels holds an associate of the arts degree in education from Trinity Valley Community College. Active in her community, … Read more
The board of directors of Cameron-based Classic Bank NA has appointed John D. Minor chief executive officer and chairman of the board. He previously served as president and chief lending officer. Minor is a third-generation banker with more than 30 years of banking experience in Central Texas. Prior to joining Classic Bank, he was senior vice … Read more
Chelsey Reeder was recently named branch manager for Corpus Christi-based American Bank’s Victoria branch, located at 4304 N. Navarro St. The announcement was made by Randy Price, Victoria market leader. “Chelsey’s extensive experience as a banking leader in our community, combined with her commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, will be invaluable assets to our … Read more
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank has announced two new hires. Julian Castillo has joined the bank as first vice president/loan officer. He has been in banking for more than 25 years. He previously was employed by Cendera Bank as a vice president. Castillo holds a BBA degree in international business with an emphasis on Spanish … Read more
Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has opened a new banking center in San Antonio. With this expansion, the bank now has 29 locations across Texas. The new location expands Texas Regional Bank’s footprint along the I-35 corridor and brings it to Bexar County. Located near 1604 North and Blanco Rd., the bank’s services are tailored to personal … Read more
Catherine Reyer has announced her retirement from the Texas Department of Banking, effective July 31. She has served as general counsel for the department since 2014. As general counsel, she has been responsible for overseeing the legal division and providing advice and counsel to the finance commission, the banking commissioner and other divisions across the … Read more
Henderson-based VeraBank has tapped Ronnie Powell, CFP, to serve as senior vice president/senior wealth advisor on the bank’s wealth management team in downtown Austin. He has been in wealth management for 28 years and most recently served as Austin region president for Northern Trust and as senior wealth advisor for Wells Fargo Private Bank. In his … Read more