After Almost Three Decades, Scurlock Retiring from Community Banking Association

When Steve Scurlock retires on December 31 of this year, he will do so after almost 29 years of faithful service leading the government relations efforts of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). While intending to spend just a few years at IBAT and then move on, Scurlock instead became a champion for community … Read more

Williston Elected Chair of the Council of Community Banking Associations

In early October, Christopher Williston, president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, was elected to serve as chairman of the Council of Community Banking Associations (CCBA). CCBA is comprised of the leaders of independent community banking associations around the country, and is exclusively affiliated with the Independent Community Bankers of America. The … Read more

Community Banking Association Elects Doyle Chair, Names New Executive Committee

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently announced that Christopher Doyle, president and CEO of Texas City-based Texas First Bank, has been elected chairman of the IBAT board of directors for 2023–24. He officially accepted this position during the association’s 49th Annual Convention held September 16–19 in Frisco. In addition to Doyle, members of … Read more

Community Banking Association Elects Irwin Chairman, Names New Executive Committee

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently announced that K. Kyle Irwin, president of Gruver-based Western Bank, has been elected chairman of the IBAT board of directors for 2022–23. He officially accepted this position during the association’s 48th annual convention held September 24–27 in Fort Worth. In addition to Irwin, members of the community … Read more

Community Bankers Award Nelson and Fenimore with the Industry’s Top Honors

On September 26, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recognized two of the industry’s finest for their service to community banking. The IBAT Chairman’s Award and the IBAT President’s Award were bestowed during the association’s Awards Luncheon, held during IBAT’s 48th Annual Convention in Fort Worth. Curt Nelson, IBAT’s director of membership, received the … Read more

Will Varo Bank be the Pin that Pops the Fintech Valuation Bubble?

Every banker has read the sensational headlines of massive funding rounds at almost unfathomable valuations for almost any company with a fintech moniker. They also know the narrative; bankers are greedy and dumb, credit unions are slow and can’t innovate, and morally superior (here again) fintechs are here to disrupt the trillion-dollar financial services industry, … Read more

Community Banking: Survival Above All Else

Take a stroll back in time with me. It was a simpler time. It was an easier time. It was February. In the February 24, 2020, edition of Bankers Digest, I declared that the era of “banking as a service” had arrived. As proof, I pointed to the partnerships between Goldman Sachs and Apple to … Read more

The Era of ‘Banking as a Service’ Has Arrived

What are the greatest threats to traditional banks? Based on the day that you ask any banker, you may get a different answer to the question. Community bankers have watched as big banks and credit unions have infringed upon their lines of business and customer base. More recently, they have witnessed the emergence of fintech … Read more