TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Jess Laird, vice chairman of Athens-based First State Bank, is retiring on March 12 after 36 years of service. Laird began his banking career with First State Bank in 1988 as a loan officer. In 1999, he was named president and chief executive officer. In 2019, he was elected vice chairman by the First State … Read more
On September 18, Bowie-based Legend Bank received the Best of Show honor during the 2023 Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards presented by the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). The Awards Luncheon, held as part of the organization’s 49 Annual Convention in Frisco, recognized the top 17 recipients of IBAT’s 2023 BOCB Awards. This … Read more
On August 7, Athens-based First State Bank broke ground on a new full-service banking center in Forney. Construction of the 4,278-square-foot facility is targeted for completion by the end of the year. Bank executives, along with general contractors with the SLI Group Inc., a fully integrated commercial design firm specializing in financial institutions, were on … Read more
Athens-based First State Bank has announced the hiring of two bankers to serve as senior vice presidents in lending: Blake Laird and J.D. King. With 15 years of experience in Texas community banking, Laird previously served as vice president and relationship manager at Austin Bank in Tyler. He holds a BS degree in economics from Texas … Read more
The Texas Bankers Association (TBA) recently announced the elected officers and directors for the 2023–24 board. The officers elected are Chair David W. Osborn, WestStar Bank in El Paso; Vice Chair Jan Mills, First National Bank of Winnsboro; and Treasurer Ron Butler, First Financial Bank in Abilene. The officers’ terms run from June 1, 2023, … Read more
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Brad Curlee and reappointed Michael A. Neill to the School Land Board for terms set to expire on August 29, 2023. The board manages the acquisition, sale and mineral leasing of the lands that comprise the Permanent School Fund, which contributes billions of dollars each year to public education … Read more
The Texas Tech School of Banking recently completed its 2022 session. Banking professionals from across Texas and three other states convened at Rawls College of Business on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock for the program. Established in 1973, the school offers a blend of traditional academic coursework and interactive lecture sessions hosted … Read more
On September 8, Kemp-based Harmony Bank NA and Dallas-based Texas Brand Bank announced that they have signed a definitive agreement in which Harmony Bank will merge with and into Texas Brand Bank. The merger agreement, announced by former Texas State Senator John J. Carona, chairman of Harmony Bank, and Edward B. Tomlinson II, chairman of … Read more
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT)—the largest state community banking association in the nation—has announced this year’s recipients of the organization’s Best of Community Banking (BOCB) Awards. The winners in the top categories will be honored on September 26 during the association’s 48th Annual Convention in Fort Worth. IBAT has celebrated the outstanding accomplishments … Read more
On May 18, the Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA), announced the seven recipients of its 2022 Emerging Leader Awards. Each of the bankers selected was chosen by a TBA member banking institution president, CEO or chairman of the board and recognized for his or her outstanding qualities. “We are … Read more