TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Neil Ferguson 
In 2006, Elaine Martin was working for the Elgin Bank of Texas when five Central Texas entrepreneurial partners approached her about writing a charter for a new bank. “I’ve worked with and around banks most of my life,” Martin recalls thinking. “How hard can it be?” Over the ensuing months, the answer to that question … Read more
On January 9, Dan Odom, president and CEO of Lubbock-based Western Bank, announced that eight team members have received promotions in the new year. John Weddige has been promoted to senior vice president/Lubbock president. Prior to the promotion, he was senior vice president/commercial lender. Melinda Rechkemmer is now senior vice president/loan operations director. Jared Bailey … Read more
Following last summer’s merger of Houston-based CommunityBank of Texas NA and Houston-based Allegiance Bank, the resulting Stellar Bancorp Inc. recently unveiled a logo for the new bank, Stellar Bank, which is expected to open for business in February. According to a press release issued to announce the transaction, the new bank is expected to have … Read more
On January 2, the Texas Bankers Hall of Fame announced its 2023 inductees who will be honored at the 10th Annual Texas Bankers Hall of Fame Gala, April 27 on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Five iconic bankers—Kenneth L. Burgess Jr., Ron Butler, James D. Goudge, J. Pat Parsons and the late … Read more
Hammond, Louisiana-based First Guaranty Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Guaranty Bancshares Inc. announced a definitive agreement to purchase Houston-based Lone Star Bank in an all-stock transaction. The combined financial institutions will have approximately $3.2 billion in total assets, $2.5 billion in total loans and $2.8 billion in total deposits. Established in 2006, Lone … Read more
The board of directors at Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank recently announced four promotions in the new year. Raleigh Cosby, senior vice president/commercial lender specializing in real estate, has been elected to serve on Charter Bank’s board of directors. He has been with the bank since 2007 and has more than 37 years of banking experience … Read more
Mergers and Acquisitions The TDB reports that it has approved an application by The Chasewood Bank, based in Houston, to acquire MergerCo Inc., based in Houston. The TDB reports that Prosperity Bank, based in El Campo, has applied to acquire Lone Star State Bank of West Texas, based in Lubbock, and FirstCapital Bank of Texas … Read more
Name Changes The TDB reports that Security Bank of Crawford, based in Crawford, has applied to change its name to Security Bank of Texas. Conversions The TDB reports that it has approved an application by The First Liberty National Bank, based in Liberty, to convert to a state charter under the name First Liberty Bank. … Read more
Edna Meyer-Nelson has been elected the chair of Houston-based Agility Bank NA, the first bank in the country established as a minority depository institution focused on women, but serving all. A former banker, Meyer-Nelson is president and CEO of The Richland Companies, one of the largest women-owned real estate investment firms in the country with … Read more
Corpus Christi-based American Bank’s annual Holiday Bear Drive is back and underway. Donations of new stuffed teddy bears will be accepted at any American Bank or TexStar National Bank location through December 31. The stuffed bears are given to children and families who need comfort and support to help rebuild their lives. The bears will … Read more