First Federal Community Bank Celebrates 100 Years with Texas Historical Marker

In the aftermath of the Great War and the devastating fire of 1916 that left Paris, Texas, in disarray, a group of community leaders banded together to devise a plan for the city’s recovery. In 1922, they founded the Paris Savings and Loan Association—now First Federal Community Bank—with a mission to promote home ownership and … Read more

WestStar Bank Executive Chair and Wife Donate $10 Million to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso

On February 24, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) announced a historic $10 million gift from L. Frederick “Rick” and Ginger Francis that will endow the university’s graduate school and advance the future of biomedical sciences. As part of the Francis’ gift, and in honor of their unwavering commitment and … Read more

Independent Bankers Association of Texas Honors Ahmed and Courtney with its 2021 Excellence in Leadership Award

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored two trailblazers in Texas community banking with the organization’s 2021 Excellence in Leadership Award. Hazem Ahmed, Houston area president at Independent Financial, and Julie Courtney, CAE, CMP, president of IBAT Services Inc. in Austin, were presented this prestigious award during the association’s Connecting Leaders Conference held … Read more

Excellence in Banking Endowment at Texas Tech University Named in Honor of First Financial Bankshares’ Dueser

On October 16, the Texas Tech University System’s Board of Regents announced the renaming of the Excellence in Banking Program Director Endowment as the F. Scott Dueser Chair for Excellence in Banking. Dueser serves as chairman, president and CEO of Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares Inc. In May 2019, anonymous donors established the Excellence in Banking … Read more