Wallis Bank’s Dakri Family Donates $4 Million to Support University of Houston’s Center for Economic Inclusion

The Dakri family, which includes the leadership of Wallis-based Wallis Bank, has pledged $4 million to support the University of Houston’s new Center for Economic Inclusion (CEI) in the C.T. Bauer College of Business. Launched in May, the CEI’s programs build on Bauer’s award-winning SURE program (Stimulating Urban Renewal through Entrepreneurship), which trains students in … Read more

Amegy Bank Promotes Garza and Higtower to Executive Vice Presidents

Natalie Garza and Ryan Hightower have both been promoted to executive vice president at Houston-based Amegy Bank. In their respective roles, they will provide executive leadership and continue their efforts in the commercial lending group. Having joined Amegy Bank after completing the company’s credit training program, both have more than 30 years of combined commercial … Read more

Amegy Bank Expands in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with New Loan Production Office in Arlington

Houston-based Amegy Bank has opened a loan production office in south Arlington as the bank continues to expand its footprint in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The new loan production office, located at 700 Highlander Blvd., Ste. 350, in Arlington, will be led by Shirley Cox, senior vice president of commercial banking. Cox is an Arlington … Read more

Amegy Bank Promotes Maben to Chief Operating Officer

Houston-based Amegy Bank named Diane Maben chief operating officer in June. She was promoted to this newly created position after serving as Amegy Bank’s executive vice president and manager of administrative services. She will continue to provide direction to the operational functions of the bank and partner with the chief executive officer and president on … Read more

Independent Financial Expanding Middle-Market Banking Teams in Texas and Colorado Markets

McKinney-based Independent Financial has added new associates to its middle-market banking team in both the Texas and Colorado markets. The new middle-market bankers are Christina “Crissy” Rivera, Jennifer Baggs Kamacioglu, Matthew Opheim and Jeff Gulczynski. Last year, the bank announced plans to double its growing middle-market portfolio over the next five years with a focus on … Read more

Comerica Bank Taps Cohn to Lead its Central and South Texas Retail Team

Dallas-based Comerica Bank has announced that Vickie Cohn will lead its Central and South Texas retail team, replacing Theresa Bazan, who recently was promoted to national sales enablement director for consumer and small business banking. In this senior vice president role, Cohn will be responsible for the development and leadership of the Austin, Kerrville, Houston and … Read more

PlainsCapital Bank Taps Ugalde, Sadeghpour and Wheeler for Houston Commercial Lending

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank recently welcomed Philip Ugalde, Jasmine Sadeghpour and Daniel Wheeler as senior vice presidents and senior commercial loan officers for its Houston market. Ugalde and Sadeghpour will serve clients from PlainsCapital’s office at 2925 Richmond Ave. while Wheeler office out of The Woodlands location at 1699 Research Forest Dr. In his new role, … Read more

Louisiana-based Origin Bank Hires Schulman, Alaniz and Durham for Houston Banking Team 

Choudrant, Louisiana-based Origin Bank has hired Mitchell Schulman, Stephen Alaniz and Alexis Durham for the company’s Memorial Banking Center team in Houston. “Mitchell, Stephen and Alexis have a proven history of building relationships and earning trust through hard work and personalized service,” says Jody Proler, regional chief operating officer. “Their combined experience and alignment with … Read more

Agility Bank Opens as First Minority Depository Institution in the U.S. Primarily Owned and Led by Women

On May 18, Houston-based Agility Bank NA announced that it has received all regulatory approvals to open as the first bank in the U.S. primarily owned and led by women under a special charter by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Through this Minority Depository Institution (MDI) charter, Agility Bank’s focus will be … Read more