Stacking the Deck: Secrets of High-Performing Banks

By Sean C. Payant, Ph.D. Many bank executives spend considerable time thinking about strategies to improve overall profitability and create sustainable growth. According to what is conveyed in banking industry publications and gleaned at trade shows and conferences, the industry’s best practices generally focus on strategies to cut expenses—using technology, looking at staffing levels, increasing … Read more

Alliance Bank Central Texas Breaks Ground on New Branch in Temple

Woodway-based Alliance Bank Central Texas hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new banking center in Temple on February 16. The full-service bank will be located at 408 Hilliard Rd. and mark the seventh branch spread out around Central Texas in Waco, Temple, Belton, Georgetown, Donie and Jewett. The project is scheduled to be completed in … Read more

VeraBank Welcomes Gomez as Treasury Management Officer

Henderson-based VeraBank has hired Stephanie Gomez to serve as treasury management officer in the bank’s Bryan/College Station, Huntsville and Conroe markets. Gomez has worked with VeraBank for nearly five years and most recently served as the assistant branch manager at the College Station branch. She holds a BS degree from Texas A&M University. “We couldn’t … Read more

First United Bank Announces 2023 Promotions

Lubbock-based Plains Bancorp Inc., the holding company for First United Bank, has announced the following promotions: Amy Punchard, senior vice president, has been with the bank since 2012 and has almost 19 years of marketing experience. She serves as chief marketing director and offices at the Lubbock-Northwest banking center. Cheryl Huey, senior vice president, has … Read more

First Texas National Bank Promotes Three, Including Farris to CEO

Tom Farris, chairman of Floydada-based First Texas National Bank, has announced the following promotions. T.K. Farris has been named chief executive officer of the bank. A graduate of Texas Christian University and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University, Farris has been with First Texas National Bank since 2017. His experience is … Read more

Former Sanger & Altgelt Chair Haynes Elected to First State Bank of Uvalde Board of Directors

First State Bank of Uvalde Chairman Chip Briscoe and President and CEO Chad D. Stary recently announced that Jones “Joe” Neville Haynes has been elected to the First State Bank of Uvalde board of directors. Haynes recently retired as managing partner, president, CEO and chairman of Sanger & Altgelt LLC, a premier insurance agency headquartered … Read more

First Liberty Bank’s Board Announces Promotions for the New Year

Liberty-based First Liberty Bank announced a number of promotions during its board of directors meeting held in mid-December. “These talented individuals have played a big part in our success as a community bank through their hard work and dedication,” says Charles McGuire, chairman. “Our board of directors takes great pleasure in recognizing these deserving individuals … Read more

Texas Bank and Trust Welcomes Borrelli as Mortgage Loan Originator in Tyler

Kim Borrelli has joined the staff of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust as vice president and mortgage loan originator in the bank’s residential mortgage lending division in Tyler. Borrelli launched her career as a mortgage loan assistant and has worked in the mortgage lending industry in East Texas for more than 26 years, building upon … Read more

Lone Star Capital Bank Names McCoy, Watson and Potter Advisory Directors

San Antonio-based Lone Star Capital Bank NA has appointed three new members to its board as advisory directors. All currently serve as executive vice presidents at the bank. Christy McCoy, chief operating officer, has been in banking for 28 years and at Lone Star Capital Bank for 26 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in … Read more

In Memoriam: ValueBank Texas’ Harlan Heitkamp

Harlan Raymond Heitkamp, founder and former chairman of Corpus Christi-based ValueBank Texas, passed away on February 6. Raised in Bracken, he attended Texas Tech University, earning a master’s degree in civil engineering. After marrying his wife of 64 years, Gerry, in 1958, the couple moved to Corpus Christi where Heitkamp worked for the City of … Read more