TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Forbes has released its 15th annual list of “America’s Best Banks,” with numerous companies headquartered in Texas making the cut. Of the 100 banks on the list, eight are based in the Lone Star State. Here are the Texas-based 2024 “America’s Best Banks” (the numbers indicate the bank’s ranking on Forbes’ list of U.S. banks: … Read more
The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank’s Southeast region has announced the promotion of Blaine Caillier to regional president. The announcement was made by Stephen Lee, South Texas area banking executive. Caillier started his career at First Financial Bank just over 13 years ago and most recently served as the Mid-County market president … Read more
First Financial Bankshares Inc., the holding company for Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA, has announced the appointment of Keith Morton to executive vice president/Houston credit administration. The announcement was made by Luke Longhofer, executive vice president/chief lending officer. Morton previously served as senior vice president of special assets at Capital One Bank in Houston since … Read more
On September 22, First Financial Bankshares, the financial holding company of Abilene-based First Financial Bank, announced the appointment of Javier Jurado to serve as executive vice president and chief audit executive. He will oversee and execute internal audit planning and reporting, and report directly to the audit committee. Jurado brings more than 19 years of … Read more
Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA has opened a new location in Frankin—its 80th Texas branch. The Franklin branch extends the bank’s reach in the Bryan/College Station region to six locations. Located at 100 W. Decherd, Suite C, the new walk-in facility is an expansion in services from the previous loan production office that opened earlier … Read more
Longtime Texas banker Kenneth L. “Ken” Burgess passed away on May 24. He was 92. While his initial goal was to become a veterinarian, his career eventually shifted to community banking after working for 11 years as a farmer. As a banker, he incorporated his knowledge of, and passion for, agriculture into a successful career … Read more
The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA has elected Mike Parker executive vice president and chief compliance officer. He brings more than 15 years of compliance experience to First Financial Bank, including his most recent post as director of compliance governance with USAA Federal Savings Bank. The announcement was made by Randy … Read more
On January 10, First Financial Bankshares Inc., the holding company for Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA, announced the election of Michelle S. Hickox as executive vice president and chief financial officer to replace James R. Gordon. Hickox most recently served as chief financial officer of Independent Financial Group Inc. and its subsidiary, McKinney-based Independent Bank. … 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
Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA recently opened its 79th branch, a 3,300-square foot location in Lumberton. The addition extends the bank’s Southeast Texas region’s reach further north into Hardin County. The region also has locations in Orange, Vidor, Mauriceville, Newton, Port Arthur and Beaumont. First Financial Bank expanded its footprint into Southeast Texas in 2013, … Read more