First Financial Bank NA Converts to a State-Chartered Bank

On April 24, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced that Abilene-based First Financial Bank National Association has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a national banking association. The bank began operating under its new charter as First Financial Bank on April 23. In 1889, First Financial Bank was originally chartered as … Read more

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Appoints Tower Vice President and Assistant General Auditor

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has appointed Matt Tower vice president and assistant general auditor. He will work with the bank’s general auditor to establish strategic priorities for the audit department and oversee the development and execution of the audit plan. Tower joined the Dallas Fed in 2021 as assistant vice president of the … Read more

Freedom Bank Chair and CEO Ortega Joins FDIC’s Minority Depository Institutions Subcommittee

On April 24, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced four new members of its minority depository institutions (MDI) subcommittee to the advisory committee on community banking. Arturo “Art” Ortega, chairman and CEO of Alamo-based Freedom Bank, is one of the four named to the subcommittee, along with John Tom Anderson, president and CEO of … Read more

Third Coast Bank SSB Converts to a Texas State-Chartered Bank

On March 13, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced that Humble-based Third Coast Bank SSB has completed its conversion to a Texas state-chartered bank from a state savings bank. The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Third Coast Bancshares Inc., was originally chartered in 2008 and enters the Texas Department of Banking’s portfolio with … Read more

Teeples Named General Counsel of Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

On March 4, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas announced that it has named David Teeples senior vice president and general counsel. He will be responsible for leading the Dallas Fed’s legal department and serve as adviser to bank leadership on issues of governance, ethics and legal authority. Teeples joined the Dallas Fed in 2017 as … Read more

Norris Named Director of Information Technology Security Examinations at Texas Department of Banking

On February 1, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced the appointment of Ruth Price Norris as director of information technology security examinations at the Texas Department of Banking. Norris graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BBA degree in finance/banking and financial institutions in 2005. She joined the Texas Department of Banking in … Read more

Chadli Retiring as Chief Financial Officer from Texas Department of Banking

Sami Chadli, chief financial officer for the Texas Department of Banking for the past 11 years, has announced that he will retire on December 31, 2023. “We would like to congratulate Sami for decades of service to the State of Texas and his commitment and loyalty to the citizens of Texas and the Department of … Read more

Texas Department of Banking Names Garcia Chief Information Officer

On September 25, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced the appointment of Jesse H. Garcia Jr. as the chief information officer at the Texas Department of Banking, effective October 1. He will be responsible for the daily operations and future technological advancement plans of the department’s information technology division. Garcia brings to the department … Read more

Whitson Named Director of Texas Department of Banking’s Bank and Trust Supervision

On September 5, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced the appointment of Jared A. Whitson as director of bank and trust supervision for the Texas Department of Banking. The appointment is effective immediately. Whitson began his career with the Texas Department of Banking in 2004 as an assistant examiner and later earned his commission … Read more

Texas Banking Commissioner Names Wisian Houston Regional Director

On August 16, Texas Banking Commissioner Charles G. Cooper announced the appointment of Gregory Cole Wisian as Houston regional director of the bank and trust supervision division for the Texas Department of Banking. The appointment is effective September 1. Wisian will be responsible for the bank supervisory activities of the Houston regional office and its … Read more