JANUARY 14, 2019 | VOLUME 154, NUMBER 2 | BANKERSDIGEST.COM

ARKANSAS Hicks Hired as Chief Credit Officer for Chambers Bank in Northwest American Bank Names MATT HICKS has joined Danville-based Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Raffaele CEO; Scanio Tapped Chambers Bank as chief credit officer. Arkansas and was recognized as the Ar- as President of American He has more than 14 years of experi- kansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund ence in the financial Volunteer of the Month in March 2018. Bank Holding Corp. services industry, He is a former board member of the Corpus Christi-based American Bank NA most recently Children’s Safety Center and Students in announced that STEPHEN C. RAFFAELE is serving as commer- Free Enterprise (now Enactus) at North- effective January cial lender and west Arkansas Community College, as 1, as outlined in the Fayetteville market well as Northwest Arkansas Emerging bank’s CEO transi- leader for First Leaders. tion plan issued last National Bank NWA. “Northwest Arkansas continues to June. He will also Hicks began his be an important part of our growth HICKS continue as presi- banking career in strategy for Chambers Bank,” says MIKE dent of the bank. In 2004 in retail operations at Liberty Bank, DONNELL, president. addition, RICHARD eventually leading the loan administra- Hicks is a graduate of Arkansas SCANIO has been tion department there. He also served State University and also holds an MBA tapped as president RAFFAELE as Benton County market president for degree from Harding University. In of the bank’s holding Centennial Bank and as the Northwest addition, he is a graduate of Leadership company, American Arkansas commercial loan market man- Fayetteville. Bank Holding Corp., ager for Great Southern Bank. Founded in 1930, Chambers also effective Active in his community, Hicks cur- Bank currently operates 18 branches January 1. rently serves on the board for the Single throughout Arkansas. • Last January, the bank announced a five-year strategic Koh Named President of New plan to leverage its strength as a SCANIO Louisiana Region for BancorpSouth Bank community bank. Key Tupelo-based BancorpSouth Bank Koh is a veteran banker with 33 elements of the bank’s vision include announced the promotion of KEVIN KOH years of experience, beginning his growth and investment in existing mar- to president of its Louisiana region, with career in the management training pro- kets, coupled with the bank’s previously responsibility for all gram of a Monroe-based bank. During announced entrance into the 29 banking loca- his 15 years with Ouachita Independent and San Antonio markets. In addition, tions in Louisiana. Bank, he was promoted from chief cred- American Bank executed on its strategic He most recently it officer to president, then to CEO. plan in 2018 with significant investments served as the bank’s Koh received a bachelor’s degree in in technology. Northeast Louisiana finance and commercial banking from Raffaele succeeds Scanio, who contin- division president, the University of Louisiana–Monroe. ues his involvement with the bank as vice having joined BancorpSouth operates approx- chairman of the board and remains active- BancorpSouth in imately 285 locations—as well as ly engaged with client relations, communi- KOH January 2018 after additional mortgage, insurance and ty relations and business development. its merger with Ouachita Independent loan production offices—in , “Steve has been the architect of our Bank, where he served as president and Arkansas, , Louisiana, Mississip- vision to become a leading Texas regional chief executive officer. pi, , and Texas. • Continued on page 10

PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY EXCEPT THE FIFTH MONDAY OF THE MONTH TEXAS Austin Bank Announces Wiggs’ Retirement and Jones’ Promotion to Senior Executive Vice President JEFF AUSTIN JR., chairman of the board cil. In addition, he has served as a mem- at Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, has ber of the Texas Bankers Association announced the retirement of STEVE C. board of directors and as vice chairman WIGGS, executive of its community bankers council. ESTABLISHED 1942 vice president. Austin Bank also announced that (USPS 041180) Wiggs joined the NATHAN JONES has been named bank in 2013 as president of the bank’s Southwest Southwest banking news regional president region. Jones joined published every Monday except of the bank’s Tyler Austin Bank in 1990 the fifth Monday of the month at and Whitehouse as a commercial 1700 Rio Grande St., Ste. 100 locations. In 2017, lender, bringing Austin, Texas 78701 he initiated over- with him seven WIGGS Neil Ferguson, Editor sight of a special years of banking Alina Greavu, Publication Manager assets task force while continuing as a experience. In his Lindsey Gehrig, Associate Editor commercial lender. He also serves as an 28-year tenure with Bob Brimer, Advertising advisory director. the bank, he has JONES “Steve has provided excellent ser- served as location Contact Bankers Digest at vice to Austin Bank,” says JEFF AUSTIN president and regional president, as 512/474-6889 III, vice chairman. “His commitment well as an advisory director on the [email protected] to banking and this community have board. bankersdigest.com defined his reputation as a loyal and Jones is a graduate of Texas A&M For display or classified trusted leader.” University, the Southwestern Graduate advertising inquiries, email Wiggs began his 50-year banking School of Banking at Southern Meth- [email protected] career with Garland Bank and Trust in odist University and the Jacksonville 1968 as a part-time teller. He later was Leadership Institute. One year subscription rate: a bank examiner with the FDIC before He has served in leadership posi- Print and digital $59 serving as president and CEO of Ban- tions with numerous nonprofits and Digital only $39 corpSouth in Texarkana, American State civic organizations, including the Jack- Bank in Tyler and Huntington State Bank. sonville Chamber of Commerce, United Opinions expressed by Wiggs is a graduate of the University Fund, Boy Scouts of America, Lakeview writers of bylined articles in this of North Texas with a degree in banking Methodist Church, Rotary Club and the publication are not necessarily and finance. He also is a graduate of the Jacksonville Economic Development those of Bankers Digest. We make Southwestern Graduate School of Bank- Corp., among others. He was recog- no representations or warranties for ing at Southern Methodist University. nized in 2012 as the Jacksonville Citizen information, products or services An active member of the Tyler of the Year and as Outstanding Busi- contained in any advertisement in this magazine or on the Bankers Digest community, Wiggs has been involved in nessman of the Year in 2009. website. Editorial guidelines may be numerous organizations, including the Austin Bank operates branches in obtained upon request. Articles and Tyler Museum of Art—serving on the 32 East Texas locations within 23 cities photos may be submitted to above board of trustees and as current presi- and 11 counties. The bank is locally address or sent via email. dent of the board—East Texas Sympho- owned and operated by the Austin ny Orchestra, Tyler Junior Achievement family, who is celebrating 108 years of Periodical postage paid at and Tyler Economic Development Coun- service in the Texas banking industry. • Austin, Texas, and at additional mailing offices.

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2 | Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 NATIONAL Government Shutdown Hurts SBA Lending in December, According to Small-Business Lending Index ITH THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) closed for the past two weeks because of the partial government shutdown, SBA W loan approvals dropped in December 2018 at banks and other institu- tions. Despite this setback, small-business loan approval rates for big banks reached another record high—27 percent—in December, according to the Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index released on January 8.

Business loan approval rates jobs in December, a number far above dropped three-tenths of a percent at expectations. The Federal Reserve sig- regional and community banks in De- naled in December that two more rate ber. While some of these lenders were cember. Small-bank approvals slipped hikes could come in 2019, on top of five affected by the SBA shutdown, experts below the halfway mark to 49.9 percent consecutive quarters with interest rate advise that the trend could reverse following the month of November when increases. itself if the shutdown continues. 50.2 percent were approved. The December approval percent- “NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT, 2018 WAS STILL A GREAT YEAR age for big banks (assets of $10 billion FOR SMALL-BUSINESS LENDING. AS LONG AS THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN or more) rose one-tenth of a percent from October’s figure of 26.9 percent DOES NOT CONTINUE MUCH LONGER, WE ARE STILL IN A GOOD PLACE.” to 27 percent, according to Biz2Cred- it’s monthly report, which examines Institutional lenders inched slightly “If SBA lending continues to stall, more than 1,000 small-business credit up to 64.8 percent in December, up alternative lenders could rebound. They applications made via its online lending one-tenth of a percent from 64.7 will offer money when other lenders do platform. percent in November, a good sign for not, but the funding comes at higher “Things were moving quite well small-business borrowers. rates and shorter terms,” Arora says. before the shutdown and still are for Loan approval rates among alterna- “These lenders have carved out a niche big banks,” says Biz2Credit CEO ROHIT tive lenders dropped from 56.7 percent by funding companies that do not ARORA, who oversees the index. “With in November to 56.6 percent in Decem- Continued on page 10 the SBA closed, there is now a backlog of companies awaiting funding primarily from small banks. At this point, it will take months for banks that process SBA loans to recover from this jam and restore the flow capital to small businesses. “With all the political quarreling in Washington, little has been reported about the impact on small businesses because SBA lending has stalled. The government shutdown really has begun to hurt small companies in search of capital,” Arora adds. Eyes are also on Washington because Federal Reserve Chairman JEROME POWELL hinted that the central bank may reconsider its recent policy of raising interest rates if economic growth slows down. However, the recent holiday shopping season is con- sidered one of the strongest in six years, and the Department of Labor report- ed that the economy added 312,000

Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 | 3 OKLAHOMA TEXAS Happy State Bank Announces Hiring BOK Financial Names of Bertsch and Smith to New Investment Team Stratton Executive Vice WILLIS McCUTCHEON, president of financial planning degree. Following that, President in Tulsa Amarillo-based Happy State Bank’s he served in the U.S. Air Force. Plainview market, and BRAD GRIFFIN, He is past chairman of Ports to Tulsa-based BOK Financial Corp. has senior vice presi- Plains and the Plainview First/Plainview named DAVID STRATTON executive vice dent and Happy Economic Development Corp., and is president/commercial banking. He Investment Services still active on both boards. Bertsch also manages BOK wealth management serves on the board of the Plainview Financial’s corpo- director, recently Lions Club, having previously served as rate banking group announced the president, and is a former Plainview City and financial addition of JOHN councilman. institutions for the BERTSCH as vice Smith joins Bertsch at Happy Invest- Tulsa region. president/wealth ment Services having assisted its clients BERTSCH Stratton served 15 advisor and DENISE for eight years. She attended West Texas years with JPMor- SMITH as wealth State University–Canyon. Smith is also gan Chase, most STRATTON management office very active in the Plainview community, recently as the assistant for Happy serving on the Plainview Chamber of Oklahoma region managing director. Investment Services. Commerce board, as well as a member Prior to JPMorgan Chase, he worked in Bertsch comes of the Chamber Ambassadors. corporate finance for Williams & Co. to Happy Invest- “These are two hometown folks who “David Stratton brings a valuable ment Services genuinely care about our community,” combination of extensive financial with 32 years of says McCutcheon. “They have worked experience and hometown advantage, investment industry tirelessly for many years for their cus- SMITH which is a great fit for our Tulsa market,” experience. He will tomers and I know they are excited about says STEVE BRADSHAW, president and utilize his certified financial planner taking care of those same customers the chief executive officer. “His commit- designation in Plainview and the sur- Happy Investment Services way.” ment to finding client-focused solutions rounding areas. Established in 1908, Happy State and making Tulsa the best community Bertsch graduated from the College Bank & Trust Co. operates 35 offices in it can be is in perfect alignment with of Financial Planning with a certified Texas. • our values and a great addition to our organization.” Stratton earned a BA degree in TEXAS finance from the University of Oklahoma TIB–The Independent BankersBank Promotes and an MBA degree from the University Brizendine and Schell to Senior Vice President Positions of Tulsa. Active in his community, he Dallas-based TIB–The Independent throughout the will serve as the 2019 chairman of the BankersBank NA announced a pair of Midwest, including Tulsa Regional Chamber. In addition, he officer promotions recently. territories across serves on the boards for the Foundation ERIK BRIZENDINE has been promot- , Indiana, for Tulsa Schools and the Tulsa Commu- ed to senior vice president/director Michigan, Missouri nity College Foundation. He is the past of information services. He joined TIB and Ohio. board president of Street School. in 2006 when the bank acquired the TIB is the BOK Financial Corp. is a $38-billion former Western States Bankcard in nation’s largest regional financial services company. Its California. bankers’ bank, serv- holdings include BOKF NA, BOK Finan- SCHELL MIKE SCHELL has been promoted to ing nearly 1,600 cial Securities Inc. and The Milestone senior vice president/senior relation- independent community banks in 48 Group Inc. BOK Financial NA operates ship officer. He has been with TIB since states from coast-to-coast, plus the TransFund, Cavanal Hill Investment 2016 and serves community bankers island territory of Guam. Management, BOK Financial Asset • Management Inc. and seven banking divisions: Bank of Albuquerque, Bank New Hires? Promotions? Awards and Recognition? of Arizona, Bank of Arkansas, Mobank, New Branches? Community Activities? Bank of Oklahoma, Bank of Texas and SHARE YOUR BANK’S NEWS WITH BANKERS DIGEST Colorado State Bank and Trust. • [email protected]

4 | Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 TEXAS Chandler Joins FirstCapital Bank OKLAHOMA of Texas as Senior Relationship Manager First Oklahoma Bank Midland-based FirstCapital Bank of Texas Christian University Frog Club and Hires Foreman as SVP Texas has hired TAYLOR CHANDLER to the Bradfield Elementary Dad’s Club. RAY FOREMAN has joined Jenks-based serve as senior vice president/senior FirstCapital Bank of Texas recently First Oklahoma Bank as a senior vice relationship announced its expansion into the Dallas president and lender. With 13 years of manager at the market with a new full-service branch, banking experience, bank’s loan produc- set to open in early 2019 at 5580 LBJ he has held posi- tion office in Freeway, Ste. 100, in Dallas. tions at UMB, Intrust Addison. He comes “Our goal is to provide the most and Bank of the to FirstCapital Bank complete financial support and guid- West. He was also of Texas with more ance to the Dallas market,” Chandler part of the manage- than 16 years of says. “We look forward to continuing ment team that banking experience. our partnership with local businesses to CHANDLER started CrossFirst Chandler earned help grow our community.” Bank in Oklahoma a bachelor’s degree in finance from Tex- Established in 1998, FirstCapital FOREMAN City. as Christian University and an MBA de- Bank of Texas is a locally owned and Foreman holds a BBA degree in gree from the University of Texas–Dallas. managed, independent community finance and an MA degree in econom- He also attended the Southwestern bank serving West Texas, the Texas ics from the University of Oklahoma. Graduate School of Banking at Southern Panhandle and Texas Hill Country with He also is a graduate of the Graduate Methodist University. offices in Amarillo, Horseshoe Bay, Fred- School of Banking at Colorado and Chandler is actively involved with ericksburg, Lubbock, Marble Falls and National Commercial Lending School at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Midland. • Southern Methodist University. •

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Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 | 5 TEXAS Frost Bank Announces Promotions and Elections Across the Lone Star State San Antonio-based Frost Bank recently Dallas: Frost Bank has promoted Fort Worth: Frost Bank has announced the following staff promo- the following: ARDEN BRANDS, senior promoted the following: ROBYN MARTIN, tions and elections across the compa- vice president/private banking (up- senior vice president/personal trust ny’s regions: town); JACKSON JULSON, senior vice (downtown); and LEAH SCHOENFELD, Austin: BRENT BIZZELL has been president/correspondent banking vice president/private banking promoted to vice president/personal (uptown); AMIR MIRZADEH, vice presi- (Tanglewood). The bank has elected the trust administration (downtown). JASON dent/corporate banking (Addison); and following: BRANDY LEE, vice president/ BRACKHAHN has been elected to KYLE BOTTOM, vice president/corpo- corporate banking (Clearfork); and RICK vice president/corporate banking rate banking (Lewisville). The bank has KASTNER, vice president/corporate (Pecan Park). elected the following: GABE MARTINEZ, banking (Keller). Corpus Christi: RANDY MAJEK has vice president/corporate banking (Oak Houston: The bank has promoted been elected to senior vice president/ Cliff); and SARAH LASHUA, vice presi- the following: JAMES WOOLSEY, senior corporate banking, FIA (Victoria main). dent/personal trust (uptown). vice president/private trust (Galveston); and JAIME VARGAS, vice president, customer service (The Woodlands East Shore). MIKE S. CLEMENTS has been elected to serve as vice president/ investment services (Post Oak). Permian Basin: ERIC WESTPHAL has been elected to serve as senior vice president, corporate banking (Midland BIZZELL BRACKHAHN MIRZADEH BOTTOM LASHUA Tower). Rio Grande Valley: PAOLA ESCALANTE-CASTILLO has been elected to serve as vice president/corporate banking (Valley Alamo). San Antonio: Frost Bank has promoted the following: KATHLEEN FINCK, senior vice president/trust MARTIN SCHOENFELD LEE KASTNER WOOLSEY administration (downtown); JAMES HUANG, vice president/network engineering (One Frost); DEBBIE SALDANA, vice president/commercial loans tech support (One Frost); and SIBONAE JONES, vice president/private banking (Park North). The bank has elected the following: KEVIN THOMPSON, VARGAS CLEMENTS WESTPHAL ESCALANTE-CASTILLO FINCK senior vice president/corporate banking (Boerne); MAGGIE TUSCHINSKI, senior vice president/e-commerce operations (One Frost); NICK WATNE, senior vice president/Frost Brokerage Services (downtown); LAMAR SCHOLZE, vice president/trust real estate (downtown); CLEVE MARKUM, vice president/ HUANG JONES THOMPSON TUSCHINSKI WATNE corporate personnel (downtown); and MELISSA GALBRAITH, vice president/ consumer banking administration PHOTOGRAPHS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR RANDY MAJEK IN CORPUS CHRISTI; ARDEN (One Frost). BRANDS, JACKSON JULSON AND GABE MARTINEZ Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc. is a IN DALLAS; AND DEBBIE SALDANA AND financial holding company with $31.2 CLEVE MARKUM IN SAN ANTONIO. billion in assets as of September 30, 2018. Founded in 1868, Frost Bank is SCHOLZE GALBRAITH one of the 50 largest U.S. banks. •

6 | Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 TEXAS In Memoriam: William R. Carden Jr., Founder of The Carden Group BILL CARDEN, a renowned banker and Among other career highlights, commissioned by the Baptist General academic who founded the bank Carden served as pastor at Rock Prairie Convention of Texas. consultancy firm The Carden Group, Baptist Church in College Station while Carden is survived by his wife of 61 passed away on completing his academic studies. In the years, Merilyn, with whom he celebrat- December 30. He early 1970s, just prior to joining the ed an anniversary on December 28, two was 81. His career staff at Baylor University, he wrote a days before his passing. Additional was divided controversial assessment of the Baptist survivors include two daughters and between his passion colleges and universities throughout the a son, six grandchildren, a sister and for teaching and a state entitled Carden Report, which was numerous cousins. • talent for banking. Carden grad- uated from Baylor CARDEN University with a triple major in religion, philosophy and history, then went on to earn his MA degree in history. In 1960, he began his teaching career at Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton. He earned a Ph.D. in history from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1966, and then accepted a teaching position at Stetson Univer- sity in Deland, Florida. Soon, however, Carden returned to the Lone Star State to be near his aging parents. Back in Texas, he joined the staff of Baylor University as vice president for academic affairs. That was followed in 1973 by a move to Dallas to go into the real estate business. Five years later, he launched his banking career at First National Bank in McAllen. Eager to re- turn to Central Texas, he subsequently PROVIDING INSURANCE PROTECTION accepted a position as president of the FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS American Bank of Waco. Financial Institution Bond In 1982, Carden returned to aca- demia to establish and direct the Center Directors and Officers Liability Policy for Banking and Financial Studies in the Cyber Liability/Privacy Breach Response Baylor Business School, formulating a Commercial Property, Auto, Workers’ Compensation continuing education curriculum for Lender Placed Insurance banks around the country. He formed Mortgage E&O and Impairment a bank consultancy firm, The Carden Group, in 1985 and spent the remaining Debit and Credit Card Fraud years of his career developing rela- Insurance Coverage Review tionships with bankers and companies Group Health Insurance across the U.S. Insurance for Your Bank Commercial Customers “Bill was a multi-talented individual,” observes CHRIS WILLISTON, ambassa- dor and former CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. “From his early days as a banker, then later Proudly endorsed by the Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado Bankers Association as a consultant to many in the banking industry, he was a trusted resource. He 800 318 4142 will be missed for his insight and contri- INSURANCE BIA.INSURANCE • WWW.BIA.INSURANCE butions to community banking.”

Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 | 7 TEXAS Independent Bank Group ADVERTISERS Completes Acquisition of Guaranty Bancorp American Bankers Association...... 12 On January 2, McKinney-based IN- Independent Bank Group common stock Texas Bankers Association DEPENDENT BANK GROUP INC., the in the aggregate. Bankers Insurance Agency...... 7 holding company for INDEPENDENT In connection with the completion Haltner Design + Build...... 5 BANK, announced the completion of of the transaction, Independent Bank IBAT 2019 M&A or Stay Summit...... 3 its acquisition of GUARANTY BANCORP. Group also announced that it intends to Southwestern Graduate School Guaranty Bancorp conducts its banking increase its quarterly dividend to $0.25 of Banking at SMU...... Insert operations through its wholly owned per share in the first quarter of 2019. Texas Tech University School subsidiary, GUARANTY BANK AND TRUST “Based upon the strong financial perfor- of Banking...... 8 CO., with 32 branches located along mance of our company and Guaranty the Colorado Front Range, including 14 Bancorp in 2018—and the anticipated locations in the greater Denver metro- performance of the combined compa- politan area. As of September 30, Guar- ny—we believe that increasing our div- anty Bancorp, on a consolidated basis, idend is an appropriate way to enhance reported total assets of $3.81 billion value for all of our shareholders,” says and total deposits of $3.06 billion. DAVID R. BROOKS, chairman and chief As previously disclosed, Guaranty executive officer of Independent Bank stockholders will receive 0.45 shares Group. of Independent Bank Group stock in Independent Bank Group, through exchange for each share of Guaranty its wholly owned subsidiary, Indepen- Bancorp stock held immediately prior to dent Bank, operates in the Dallas/Fort the merger, resulting in the issuance of Worth, Austin and Houston markets, as approximately 13.18 million shares of well as the Colorado Front Range. •

TEXAS Florida’s Mercantil Bank Holding Corp. Adopts New Brand, Expands in Houston Market Coral Gables, Florida-based MERCANTIL in communications, products, signs and BANK HOLDING CORP. has announced a services. new brand identity for its businesses, According to a company release, cementing another step in its long-term “Amerant’s identity is strong, yet ap- vision as an independent company in proachable. It represents the human its South Florida, Greater Houston and side of the brand and the bank’s focus on New York City markets. The new name its various stakeholders.” is AMERANT BANK. Amerant Bank opened its eighth “We are fully focused on the needs of Houston-area banking center last Octo- today’s customers and wanted our brand ber at 21776 Katy Fwy., its first location to be a powerful word that is easy to in Katy in addition to area branches pronounce and remember,” says MILLAR in Houston, Sugar Land and Spring. WILSON, CEO. “Our new name reflects According to a report in the Houston our heritage and experience, while Business Journal, ERIK SMITH is leading strengthening our commitment to serv- the new branch as market manager. ing our markets and our valued domestic Smith had previously served as a Hous- and international customers with an ton branch manager for Birmingham, innovative and comprehensive range of Alabama-based BBVA COMPASS before financial services.” joining Mercantil Bank last September. The company will use the Amerant In business for almost 40 years, the brand and officially change its corporate company now known as Amerant Bank name at its annual shareholders’ meet- operates 22 locations—15 in South ing this year. The Amerant brand will be Florida and eight in the Houston market, used throughout the company and will as well as a commercial real estate loan be implemented over the coming months production office in New York City. •

8 | Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 TEXAS ARKANSAS From Main Street to Wall Street: Veritex Holdings Completes Centennial Bank Celebrates 20 Years of Banking Acquisition of Green Conway-based CENTENNIAL BANK, a family,” says JOHN ALLISON, chairman Bank, Making it One of wholly owned subsidiary of HOME and co-founder. “We started out with BANCSHARES INC., celebrated 20 years about 12 employees, most of whom the 10 Largest Banks in business on January 4. Since opening are still with us today. Now, 20 years Headquartered in Texas in 1999 as FIRST STATE BANK, Home later, Centennial Bank employs more BancShares has completed 23 acquisi- than 1,800 people in multiple states, On January 1, Dallas-based VERITEX tions, reaching $15 billion in assets. with 430-plus employees in Conway HOLDINGS INC., the holding company for In 2006, the company completed an and the surrounding area. We are very VERITEX COMMUNITY BANK, completed initial public offering and began trading pleased to be one of Conway’s largest its acquisition of Houston-based GREEN on the Nasdaq. In 2009, the deci- employers. BANCORP INC., the holding company for sion was made to consolidate Home “We have gone from Main Street to GREEN BANK. This is Veritex Holdings’ BancShares’ charters and rebrand its Wall Street, and Centennial Bank now seventh acquisition in its eight-year banking subsidiary Centennial Bank. serves more than 100 communities, but history, making it one of the 10 largest “We set out to start a small we are proud to continue to call Conway banks headquartered in Texas. Veritex community bank for friends and home,” Allison adds. Bank now has 43 full-service locations • in Texas, with a concentration in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston metroplexes. At the end of the third quarter of 2018, Green Bancorp reported total LOUISIANA The LOFI reports that INVESTAR BANK, assets of $4.4 billion, total deposits of based in Baton Rouge, opened its $3.4 billion and total equity capital of Mergers and Acquisitions Central Branch located at 8759 Sullivan $490.2 million. The combined company Rd. in Central. will have approximately $8 billion in The Louisiana Office of Financial assets. Institutions (LOFI) reports that “Our vision for Veritex Commu- INVESTAR BANK, based in Baton Rouge, OKLAHOMA nity Bank is to continue to build the has applied to merge MAINLAND BANK, Branches highest-quality, community-focused a Texas state-chartered bank based in Texas City, with and into Investar Bank business bank in Texas,” says C. MAL- The Office of the Comptroller of the and to establish the existing offices of COLM HOLLAND, chairman and CEO of Currency (OCC) reports that it has Mainland Bank as branches of Investar Veritex Holdings. “The acquisition of approved an application by CENTRAL Bank. Green Bancorp aligns with our vision NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO. OF ENID, to acquire highly profitable, quality The LOFI reports that RICHLAND STATE based in Enid, to establish a branch at Texas banks with talented management BANCORP INC., based in Rayville, has 514 Colcord Dr. in Oklahoma City. teams. This acquisition more than merged with and into BUSINESS FIRST doubles our size in terms of employees, BANCSHARES INC., based in Baton TEXAS assets and branch locations.” Rouge, and immediately thereafter Veritex Community Bank specializ- merged THE RICHLAND STATE BANK with Mergers and Acquisitions es in providing depository and credit and into BUSINESS FIRST BANK. It also The OCC reports that FIRSTCAPITAL services to retail and small- to mid-size established the existing offices of The BANK OF TEXAS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, businesses. The name Veritex is derived Richland State Bank as branches of based in Midland, has applied to merge from the Latin word veritas, meaning Business First Bank. truth. Veritex Bank was founded in FIDELITY BANK, based in Wichita Falls, 2010 and has 43 branches in Dallas, Branches with and into FirstCapital Bank of Texas National Association. Fort Worth, Austin, Honey Grove and The LOFI reports that BUSINESS FIRST Houston, as well as one branch located BANK, based in Baton Rouge, opened Branches in Louisville, Kentucky. its Spring Valley Road Banking Center • The OCC reports that FIRST NATIONAL located at 5220 Spring Valley Rd., BANK, based in Paducah, has withdrawn Ste. 100, in Dallas, Texas. The bank an application to establish a mobile SEND US YOUR BANKING NEWS! also opened its Metairie Road Banking van branch at 117 S. Graham in [email protected] Center located at 2328 Metairie Rd., Stephenville. Ste. 100, in Metairie.

Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 | 9 American Bank continued from page 1 his role in 2007. He was named presi- SERVICES dent in 2009 and, additionally, CEO in bank, and he has recruited a highly 2016. Scanio was named vice chairman INTERNAL AUDIT OUTSOURCING: Time experienced and talented team of of the bank’s board of directors in 2017 to improve or develop your internal executives to lead the bank toward that and continues in that role, actively in- audit function? Our firm can help! We end,” says BEN B. WALLACE, chairman of volved as an ambassador for American provide administrative guidance or the board. Bank in the Coastal Bend area and as training to your personnel or will handle Raffaele has more than 30 years a leader in the Texas banking industry all your internal audit needs. Oversight, of experience in the financial services through his board position with the In- operational, IT, regulatory compliance, industry. He joined American Bank in dependent Bankers Association of Texas. FDICIA and SOX—we can assist your 2016 as executive vice president and Prior to joining American Bank, Sca- company in all facets of internal was promoted to president and chief nio held lending positions with several auditing. Call Bryan Kendrick to discuss operating officer in May 2017. Prior to financial institutions in Austin, including at 210/413-4134, or visit our website at joining American Bank, Raffaele held Austin Savings Association, Alliance www.kendrickservices.com. executive positions with both publicly Bank and MBank. He holds a BBA degree traded and private banking organi- in finance from the University of Texas– zations throughout Texas. His career Austin. POSITIONS AVAILABLE includes positions as president, chief “Richard’s leadership at American financial officer, chief operations/oper- Bank over the past 30 years has been COMPLIANCE OFFICER: The National ating officer, chief strategy officer and critical to the success of the bank and I Bank of Texas is looking for candidates chief development officer, as well as can think of no one better suited to lead in the Fort Worth area for a compliance serving as a board member and investor the holding company,” says PATRICIA officer. Candidates should have strong in various banks. He is a chartered HAWN WALLACE, chairman of the holding knowledge of banking regulations, financial analyst and received a BA de- company’s board. “Richard exemplifies including Office of the Comptroller of gree in business from Baylor University. the best of career community bankers.” the Currency requirements. We offer Scanio joined the American Bank American Bank Holding Corp. owns a growth environment with excellent Holding Corp. board in January 2018 American Bank NA. Founded in 1970, benefits and a salary commensurate and will continue to serve as a director. the bank has assets totaling nearly $1.4 with qualifications. Send résumé and His affiliation with American Bank began billion as of September 30. It operates salary expectations to NBTHRDept@ in 1989. After serving as chief lending 16 locations in Austin, Corpus Christi, nationalbanktexas.com. Equal officer for several years, chief operating Goliad, Houston, Port Aransas, Rock- Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. officer responsibilities were added to port, San Antonio and Victoria. • LENDER IN SHERMAN, TEXAS: First Texoma National Bank in Sherman, Texas, is seeking a lender with a SBA Lending continued from page 3 results are based on primary data sub- minimum combined experience of three mitted by more than 1,000 small-busi- to five years in consumer, real estate qualify for traditional bank loans. The ness owners who applied for funding and commercial loans. Must have a higher cost of capital is a reflection of on Biz2Credit’s online lending platform, proven track record of strong credit and the increased risk involved in lending to which connects business borrowers and collection skills, as well as marketing those firms.” lenders. and community participation. Please “No matter how you look at it, 2018 Founded in 2007, Biz2Credit has send résumé and salary requirements was still a great year for small-business arranged more than $2 billion in to [email protected]. lending. As long as the government small-business financing. The firm was shutdown does not continue much lon- recently ranked among the top 200 DALLAS, HOUSTON AND ATLANTA: ger, we are still in a good place,” Arora fast-growing companies on Deloitte’s LiftFund Inc., a nonprofit small-business observes. “If SBA lending stalls much 2018 Technology Fast 500. Biz2Cred- lender based in San Antonio with offices longer, it will negatively impact small it is expanding its industry-leading throughout Texas and 12 other states, companies looking for funding, slowing technology in custom digital platform seeks vice president of large loans in down the strong growth we’ve seen in solutions for leading banks and other Dallas, Houston and Atlanta, Georgia, this part of the economy.” financial institutions, investors and with five-plus years of experience Biz2Credit analyzed loan requests service providers in the U.S. • in small-business lending, in-depth ranging from $25,000 to $3 million knowledge of commercial real estate from companies in business more than For more information on the Biz2Credit lending, fixed-asset financing, working two years with an average credit score Small-Business Lending Index, visit capital loans and accounts receivable above 680. Unlike other surveys, the bit.ly/biz2creditindex. financing, and SBA-guaranteed loans;

10 | Bankers Digest January 14, 2019 strong analytical skills in relation to Houston and Austin with five to 10 VICE PRESIDENT COMMERCIAL loan underwriting and financial analysis; years’ experience originating C&I, CRE, LENDER, FIRST FINANCIAL BANK NA, and highly organized with attention SBA and deposit relationships. Could STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS: Bachelor’s to detail. For more information and move into a leadership role. Prefer degree. Accounting/finance preferred to apply, visit liftfund.catsone.com/ credit trained, currently producing in and six years of previous banking careers. the their market. Base salary $125– experience. Professional demeanor, oral 200k+, progressive incentive plan. Send communication and interpersonal skills VICE PRESIDENT OF LARGE LOANS IN résumé to [email protected] or call are essential. Must actively participate VICE PRESIDENT/LOAN OFFICER: First Anthony Potenti at 214/515-7609. in sales/service culture and support National Bank of Eldorado in Eldorado, core values of the organization. Apply at Texas, is looking for a loan officer. BANK SEARCH AND PLACEMENT: ffin.com/careers. Loan experience preferred. Loan We specialize in officer-level searches portfolio will consist of ag, commercial, requiring high degrees of confidentiality CMBS AND/OR BALANCE SHEET LENDER/ consumer, real estate and oilfield. and personal, in-market interaction. ORIGINATOR: Dallas based. Five to Looking for strong leadership skills Simply better service. Mark Mitchell, seven years experience preferred. with the ability and desire to grow the Lone Star Search, 972/335-9009, Please call or write [email protected], loan portfolio. Excellent benefits, and [email protected]. 214/515-7606. salary commensurate with experience. Submit résumés to mvaughan@ New Hires? Promotions? Awards and Recognition? fnbeldorado.com. New Branches? Community Activities?

COMMERCIAL LENDER IN ATHENS, TEXAS: SHARE YOUR BANK’S NEWS WITH BANKERS DIGEST We are actively seeking an experienced [email protected] commercial lender. The best candidate would have a minimum of five years commercial lending experience— specifically commercial real estate, residential and consumer loan experience. The ideal candidate would be an individual who is goal-oriented, CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INFORMATION works well in a team environment and desires to be involved in our RESPONDING TO CLASSIFIED ADS local community. First State Bank is When responding to classified ads directed to Bankers Digest, email a family-owned community bank that inquiries to [email protected] and include the box number in offers opportunities for growth and the subject line; or mail responses to Box Number c/o Bankers Digest, advancement with an attractive salary 1700 Rio Grande St., Ste. 100, Austin, Texas 78701. and benefits package. If you feel you are qualified and the best candidate for this CLASSIFIED AD RATES position, please submit your résumé to Rates are $45 for the first 30 words; $10 for each additional 10 words [email protected]. per insertion. Classified ads that use a Bankers Digest box number for forwarding responses will be charged an additional $5 per insertion COMMERCIAL LENDER: ABC Bank is for handling. Classified ads are posted on the Bankers Digest website seeking an experienced commercial (bankersdigest.com) for the duration of the advertising agreement at no lender to join our team in Addison, additional charge. The advertising deadline is noon Monday for the following Texas. The ideal candidate has Monday’s publication. Only principals will be assigned box numbers. three-plus years of experience in CRE, C&I, commercial lending and DISCLAIMER credit underwriting. ABC Bank is an Bankers Digest makes no representations or warranties for information, established community bank and offers products or services contained in any advertisement herein. a competitive salary and excellent benefit packages. Submit résumés DISPLAY ADVERTISING to Leslie Demma at ldemma@ For information on display advertising in Bankers Digest, theabcbank.com. email inquiries to [email protected] or visit SENIOR COMMERCIAL LENDERS: Dallas, bankersdigest.com/display-advertising. Houston and Austin: Texas bank looking for senior commercial lenders in Dallas,

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NATIONAL Independent Community Bankers of America Announces Staff Promotions On January 2, the INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS OF AMERICA announced several staff promotions. KEVIN TWEDDLE was named chief Get the operating officer for the ICBA Services Network; RHONDA THOMAS-WHITLEY Full Picture and MICHAEL EMANCIPATOR were named vice president and regulatory counsel; and ERIKA BRERETON was named director of marketing project management and video production. Tweddle joined ICBA in 2017 as group executive vice president of innovation and financial technology. In his new role as COO, he will provide leadership, management and vision for the association’s services network. He ABA will also continue to drive ICBA’s innova- tion, change management and financial Compliance Schools technology strategies. Spring 2019 Session As part of ICBA’s government relations team, Thomas-Whitley and March 30 – April 5, 2019 Emancipator will continue advocating Tucson, AZ on behalf of the nation’s community banks. Thomas-Whitley’s areas of ABA Compliance Schools cover the basic regulations in responsibility include consumer regu- play today, as well as how to strategize where they may lation and compliance and payments law. Emancipator’s areas of expertise go tomorrow. Students at each level learn alongside peers include consumer financial regulation and industry experts to bring the challenges of regulatory and community development law. change into focus for their institution. As part of ICBA’s marketing and communications team, Brereton will continue to apply her video production and project management skill set to produce creative, compelling content that furthers the community bank story, Register Today: encourages engagement and expands aba.com/CS6 ICBA’s digital footprint. •

BANKERS DIGEST JANUARY 14, 2019