Gib Blackman, Longtime Bankers Digest Publisher, Passes Away

Ralph Gilbert (Gib) Blackman Jr. died peacefully at home on January 8 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. A Texas community banker, he was most widely known as the publisher and editor—along with his wife, Bonnie—of Bankers Digest for more than 30 years. Born October 11, 1947, to Ralph and Betty … Read more

Simmons First National Corp. and Spirit of Texas Bancshares Announce Intent to Merge

On November 19, Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based Simmons First National Corp., the holding company for Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based Simmons Bank, and Conroe-based Spirit of Texas Bancshares Inc. announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Simmons will acquire Spirit, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Spirit of Texas Bank SSB, in a transaction consisting … Read more

Frost Makes Equity Investment in Austin Housing Conservancy Fund

On October 25, San Antonio-based Frost Bank announced that it has made an equity investment of $500,000 into the Austin Housing Conservancy Fund (AHC) to support workforce-affordable rental housing in the rapidly growing Austin metropolitan area. AHC, founded in 2016, is an equity fund focused on purchasing multifamily properties and preserving them as affordable housing … Read more

First United Bank to Acquire First Bank and Trust of Childress

On June 28, the board of directors of Plains Bancorp Inc., the parent company of Dimmitt-based First United Bank, announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement with Childress Bancshares Inc., the parent company of First Bank and Trust of Childress, whereby First United Bank will acquire First Bank and Trust. Following the … Read more