T E X A S

Cummings Hired as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at First State Bank of UvaldeFirst State Bank of Uvalde announced the appointment of JAMES P. CUMMINGS JR. to executive vice president and chief

operating officer. Prior to joining the bank, he was the director of compliance review services for Hamby and Hengeli, a San Angelo-based accounting firm, where he was responsible for

compliance consulting for more than 30 financial institutions.

Prior to working at the accounting firm, Cummings was a senior special agent with the U.S. Department of Trea-sury and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. His experience covered a wide range of criminal investigations, including terrorist financing, narcotics/weapons smuggling, human trafficking, child exploitation and other high-risk criminal activity. Cummings was the team leader on several specialized domestic and international missions to combat criminal and terrorist organizations worldwide.

Cummings attended Texas Tech Uni-versity and Lubbock Christian University before receiving a master’s degree from Angelo State University. He is a fourth-gen-eration Texas banker; both his great grand-father and father were bank presidents. His father, JIM CUMMINGS, currently is a director with City Bank in Lubbock.

First State Bank of Uvalde operates in Uvalde, Camp Wood, Carrizo Springs, Concan, Leakey, Sabinal and Utopia. •

CUMMINGS JR.

FEBRUARY 4, 2019 | VOLUME 154, NUMBER 5 | BANKERSDIGES T.COM

PUBLISHED E VERY MONDAY E XCEP T THE FIF TH MONDAY OF THE MONTH

T E X A S Birmingham, Alabama-Based Regions Bank Hires Vetters to Lead Houston OfficeBirmingham, Alabama-based Regions Bank has hired LORI VETTERS as managing director for the company’s

diversified corpo-rate banking team in Houston. She brings nearly 30 years of banking, leadership and financial manage-ment experience to Regions Bank, having served in

various capacities throughout her career with JP Morgan Chase, Wachovia bank and, most recently, HSBC.

Vetters holds a BS degree in geology/earth science from Tulane University and an MBA degree in finance from Southern Methodist University. She has a long his-tory of community service to many non-profit organizations, currently serving as a member of the Rice Overseers board,

Teach for America–Houston and the Houston Independent School Foundation board, of which she is chair.

“Lori’s experience, strong ties to the Houston business community and pas-sion for excellence make her a natural fit for this role,” says JOHN STACY, head of Houston’s diversified corporate bank-ing group for Regions Bank.

“Regions…will continue to expand [its] Houston corporate team with a goal of growing our business with exist-ing clients, as well as developing new relationships throughout the Houston and South Texas communities,” says BRYAN FORD, diversified corporate banking executive for Regions Bank in the Mid-America and South markets.

Regions Financial Corp. serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,500 banking locations. •

VETTERS

A R I Z O N A Des Moines, Iowa-Based Bankers Trust Names Joyce Arizona Market PresidentDes Moines, Iowa-based Bankers Trust Co. has named PATRICK JOYCE Arizona market president. He will replace JOE

STEWART, who will retire from Bankers Trust in March 2020. Until Stewart’s departure, the two will work closely together, with Stewart serving as senior vice presi-dent and business

development officer.

Joyce has 25 years of experience in banking and has been with Bankers Trust since it entered the Arizona market in 2008. “When I helped establish Bankers Trust in Arizona…we had no assets, no customers and no brand equity,” Joyce says. “Today, our Arizona operation has a respected and growing brand, more than $750 million in loan commitments and more than 20 team members.”

Bankers Trust has $292 million in deposits across three Phoenix-area branches and overall has $3.2 billion in deposits, according to the FDIC. •

JOYCE

2 | Bankers Digest February 4, 2019

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T E X A S IBC Bank–Houston Promotes Fazio and Leong to First Vice PresidentsIBC Bank–Houston recently announced the promotions of MARIO FAZIO and PETER LEONG to first vice presidents.

Fazio began his career at IBC Bank in 2006 as a credit analyst, providing analysis on com-mercial and residential real estate develop-ments. While focused on com-mercial lending, his responsibilities include managing customer portfolios, developing new customer relation-ships and aiding the loan department in credit analysis. He has worked in the

banking industry for more than 12 years. Fazio received a BS degree in economics from Texas A&M University.

Leong joined IBC Bank in 2009 and completed the credit training program, eventually progressing to assistant credit manager. His new responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day oper-ations in the credit and loan operations departments, and will focus on mitigat-ing risks of current and proposed loans to ensure credit quality. Leong has worked in the banking industry for more than nine years. He holds a BBA degree in finance from Texas State University.

IBC Bank–Houston is a member of International Bancshares Corp. based in Laredo, with 191 facilities serving 90 communities in Texas and Oklahoma. In 2016, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary. IBC Bank–Houston has been serving the area since 1997 and has 14 locations. •

FAZIO

LEONG

T E X A S IBC Bank–Laredo Promotes Castillo and Ramos to Assistant Vice PresidentsIBC Bank–Laredo recently announced the promotions of SAMANTHA CASTILLO and DAVID RAMOS to assistant vice

presidents.Castillo has

worked in the bank’s internal audit department since 2013. She is respon-sible for supervising and reviewing the activities and work of six staff auditors who are assigned to conduct reviews of financial and op-erational activities. She manages and evaluates internal audit measures to ensure that control and operating pro-cedures within IBC

Bank are upheld.

Castillo graduated from the Univer-sity of Texas–San Antonio with a bache-lor’s degree in accounting. She also has a certified internal auditor designation from the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Ramos began his banking career in 2002 as a teller in various IBC Bank–Laredo branches and transferred to the financial accounting department in 2005. In 2010, he relocated to the in-ternal audit department, where he was promoted to assistant auditor in 2016. His job duties include managing staff during the audit process, conducting comprehensive reviews of audit work papers, providing assistance with audit plans and implementing audit process-es based on new banking regulations.

Ramos graduated from Texas A&M International University with a bache-lor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in finance in 2003.

IBC Bank–Laredo operates a retail branch network of 20 locations. •

CASTILLO

RAMOS

Bankers Digest February 4, 2019 | 3

It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again: Yogi Leadership Planning

AS I SURVEY THE BANKING SCENE, I AM AMAZED at how something as simple as getting older can affect the future of community banking. Of course, you may think that everything is going great and you’re wondering whether

aging—or more specifically, dementia—is settling in on this consultant. I assure you, while I’m not getting any younger, I still remember to show up to work and I am doing my best to help our industry be more successful. To that end, this article is about how aging and our lack of planning is severely affecting future leadership and thus, potentially, the sustainability of our time-tested community banking industry.

Several years ago, my wife surprised me and whisked me off to Punxsutaw-ney, Pennsylvania, for a birthday trip that will be forever etched in my mind. You may think that a trip to Pennsylva-nia is kind of lame unless you realize that my birthday is in February—the second day of the month to be exact. More particularly, it’s on the greatest and least appreciated holiday of the year, Groundhog Day. Unfortunately, there is no Parade of Roses or Macy’s Day Parade to honor the humble and ever faithful prognosticator of the weather: the groundhog.

Punxsutawney—to those readers who aren’t sensitive to underappre-ciated critters and birthdays—holds the largest Groundhog Day celebration in America, perhaps even the world. Groundhog Day received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film Groundhog Day, which was set in Punx-sutawney and featured Punxsutawney Phil, the Keystone State’s favorite son…er, groundhog. The movie starred Bill Murray who portrayed Phil Conners, an arrogant, egocentric Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during a hated as-signment covering the annual Ground-hog Day event in Punxsutawney, finds himself in a time loop. He repeats the same day again and again, waking up over and over to the Sonny and Cher song I Got You Babe. He could have been Yogi Berra’s inspiration for his

“déjà vu all over again” quote.How long, you may ask, was Phil

stuck? Although no one really knows, in 2014, the website WhatCulture.com combined various time-duration assumptions and estimated that Phil spent a total of 12,395 days—just un-der 34 years—reliving Groundhog Day.

The good news is that after in-dulging in numerous self-de-structive activities, including

multiple creative suicide attempts, he re-examined his life and priorities and ultimately broke the loop to settle

down with the love of his life. Hopefully, you and I can learn our life and banking lessons in less than 34 years!

You might be wondering what in the world Bill Murray and the movie Groundhog Day have to do with the

future of our community bank lead-ership? A fair question! In short, I

think too many of our banks and bank boards are stuck in a loop, year after year, thinking that the

problem of executive succes-sion will solve itself. Therein lies our industry problem: year after year, management

and boards continue to wake up to Son-ny and Cher with no successor.

As I meet with banks around the country, several things are apparent. First, many of the executive officers are starting to look more and more like my parents: they’re old. Second, when I meet with their boards of directors, the age issue becomes even more pro-nounced—they are even older than the executive officers! Third, and most

Continued on page 10

INDUSTRY

INSIGHTS

RANDY DENNIS Founder and PresidentDDF Consulting (ddfconsulting.com)

LIKE GROUNDHOG DAY, TOO MANY OF OUR BANKS AND BANK BOARDS ARE STUCK IN A LOOP, YEAR AFTER YEAR, THINKING THAT THE PROBLEM OF EXECUTIVE

SUCCESSION WILL SOLVE ITSELF. THEREIN LIES OUR INDUSTRY PROBLEM.

4 | Bankers Digest February 4, 2019

T E X A S Centennial Bank Announces Officer PromotionsLubbock-based Centennial Bank recent-ly promoted 10 team members.

JAY KEMPER has been promoted to senior vice president/Lubbock market president. He started his career at Cen-tennial Bank in 2004 and has amassed an impressive track record in loan and deposit production, business develop-ment and leadership. Kemper will contin-ue to act as regional lending manager.

J. TRAVIS MARLAR has been promot-ed to senior vice president/lending. He joined the bank in 2016 as vice presi-dent/lender. In January 2018, Marlar was named manager of the bank’s Up-land location, where deposits and loans continue to climb under his leadership.

TERRICA TAYLOR has been promoted to senior vice president/Slaton market president. She joined the bank in 2012 as lending assistant/banking officer. In 2014, she was promoted to assistant vice president/lender. She spent time building her portfolio at the bank’s Quaker location before moving back to Slaton to continue as a lender.

RHONDA AVEN has been promoted to vice president/portfolio manager and works in the bank’s Hart location. Most recently, she was lending assistant to the market president.

GUILLERMINA ENRIQUEZ has been promoted to vice president/loan op-erations. She joined Centennial Bank in 2011 in the credit department and in 2018 was named assistant vice presi-dent/loan operations.

BELINDA FRYE has been promoted to vice president/portfolio manager at the Quaker location. She joined the Centen-nial Bank team in 2015 as an assistant vice president/lending assistant.

ASHLEY HAWKINS has been promot-ed to vice president/banking center manager. She joined Centennial Bank in 2013 as a customer service repre-sentative at the Post location and was subsequently promoted to banking officer and lending assistant. In 2017, she was promoted to branch operations manager.

TAMMY SERVICE has been named vice president/portfolio manager. She has been with the bank since 1996 when she was hired to work in oper-ations. She was promoted to lending assistant, then assistant vice president/lending assistant to the Plainview mar-ket president and other executives.

KANDICE BETHKE has been promot-ed to assistant vice president/mortgage lender. She joined the bank in 2014 as a teller at its Fredericksburg location and was soon promoted to lending assis-tant. Most recently, Bethke earned her NMLS license and was named mortgage lender at the bank.

DYLAN WALD has been promoted to assistant vice president/portfolio manager. He joined the bank in 2017 as a lending assistant at the Austin branch where he handled teller duties, branch operations, customer service and assis-tance to lenders. •

T E X A S

Williston, Who Led Independent Bankers Association of Texas for 30 Years, Joins The Bank CEO NetworkCHRISTOPHER L. WILLISTON, former president/CEO and now ambassador for the Austin-based Independent Bankers

Association of Texas (IBAT), has been tapped to partici-pate in The Bank CEO Network. The organization assists community bank CEOs in their effort to gain information and insights that

will help them better understand, adjust and make informed decisions regarding current and potential opportunities, as well as threats.

Members of The Bank CEO Network meet twice a year—typically the first two weeks of May and October—to discuss pressing industry-related challenges with like-minded commu-nity bank CEOs from across the nation. The network provides opportunities to engage in an open exchange of infor-mation and ideas in a noncompetitive, friendly environment.

“Because of Chris’ depth and breadth of experience, his interaction with banking leaders nationwide and his long and highly effective leadership at IBAT at both the state and national level, he is uniquely suited to assist me in making The Bank CEO Network an even more important resource for…fellow network members,” says BOB WALTERS, a founder and leader of The Bank CEO Network, as well as chairman of The Bank Advisory Group. “I’m confident Chris will make a valuable contribution…and [members] will benefit immensely from his involvement and expertise.”

Williston retired as president and CEO of IBAT at the end of 2018 after serving in that role for the past 30 years, and now serves the association as an ambassador. •

WILLISTON

WALDBETHKESERVICEHAWKINSFRYE

ENRIQUEZAVENTAYLORMARLARKEMPER

Bankers Digest February 4, 2019 | 5

A R K A N S A S

Davis Returns to Business Banking at FNBC Bank in Mountain HomeCHAD HUDSON, regional president/chief lending officer at Ash Flat-based FNBC Bank, recently announced that SHANE

DAVIS has been hired as a senior vice president/business banking officer at FNBC Bank’s Mountain Home office. He will assist in growing the FNBC Bank and Mountain Home market, as

well as business development in and outside of the bank’s footprint.

Davis first joined FNBC Bank in early 2016 as senior vice president/commer-cial lender. He returns to the bank from Batra Hospitality in Columbus, Ohio, where he served as chief operating officer since mid-2017.

With more than 20 years of banking experience, Davis has worked primarily with commercial and small-business clients. He began his banking career in Mountain Home in 1995. Davis was rec-ognized as the Twin Lakes Banker of the Year by Baxter Bulletin readers in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

“Shane played an important role in our organization as we began to provide a sharper focus on business banking relationships,” says MARTY SELLARS, FNBC Bank president and CEO. “We are excited to welcome him back to our organization and the banking industry.”

Davis holds a BS degree in communi-cation with a minor in business adminis-tration from the University of Arkansas.

Chartered in 1912 as the Bank of Ash Flat, FNBC Bank is a $465-mil-lion-asset community bank. Its six-county footprint through North Cen-tral and Northeast Arkansas includes offices in Ash Flat, Cherokee Village, Highland, Hardy, Mammoth Spring, Salem, Melbourne, Horseshoe Bend, Batesville, Mountain Home and Jones-boro. FNBC Bank employs more than 100 people in its 11 locations. •

DAVIS

N E W M E X I C O Western Heritage Bank Promotes Gomez to Vice President/DepositsLas Cruces-based Western Heritage Bank announced that MARISOL GOMEZ has been promoted to vice president/

deposits. She will serve the Las Cruces market. She has more than 25 years of banking experience, starting her career in Las Cruces as a teller with Bank of the Rio Grande (now First

National 1870). Since then, she has held various industry positions in

deposit operations, branch operations and BSA. Gomez joined Western Heritage Bank in December 2018 as assistant vice president/deposits.

“As a recent hire, Marisol has quickly advanced and we are pleased to watch her grow with our community banking team,” says GREG CORY, president and chief executive officer.

Established in 2001, Western Her-itage Bank is a New Mexico state bank and a wholly owned subsidiary of New Mexico First Financial Inc. The bank operates locations in Las Cruces and Deming, as well as in El Paso, Texas. •

GOMEZ

M I S S I S S I P P I Louisiana-Based Origin Bank Hires Miller as Business Development BankerANDY MILLER has joined Ruston, Louisi-ana-based Origin Bank as vice presi-dent/business development banker for

its Mississippi market. He has more than 17 years experience in the banking industry. In his new position, he will focus on acquiring and maintaining quality banking relation-

ships, specifically with small-business clients. He will be based out of Origin Bank’s office in Flowood.

Miller has a BS degree from Bel-haven University and is a graduate of the Mississippi School of Banking at the University of Mississippi. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Rankin program.

“[Andy] has extensive experience in business development and a history of building successful financial relation-ships,” says LARRY RATZLAFF, the bank’s Mississippi state president. “I look for-ward to seeing the impact he will have on the success of our organization.”

Origin Bank operates 40 banking centers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. •

MILLER

6 | Bankers Digest February 4, 2019

T E X A S Oklahoma’s Valliance Bank Hires Team Members in Texas MarketsOklahoma City-based Valliance Bank announced new hires for its Texas loca-tions in McKinney and Fort Worth.

ROSS GILLISPIE has joined the bank’s lending team as senior vice president of commercial lending in McKinney. With

more than nine years of banking experience, he previ-ously served as vice president and commercial lender for North Dallas Bank & Trust in Plano. Gillispie holds a BBA degree in finance

with a minor in accounting from Oklaho-ma State University. He is a board member of the Plano Symphony and has served on the advisory committee of the McKinney Young Professionals organiza-tion, including as chair.

Valliance Bank also welcomes OMAR AKHTAR as vice president/commercial lending at the McKinney location. With more than four years of banking expe-rience, Akhtar previously served as a commercial lending officer at Indepen-dent Bank in Plano, where he specialized

in serving profes-sionals and business owners. He holds an MBA degree from Southeastern Okla-homa State Univer-sity and a BA degree in business adminis-tration and finance from Austin College.

Akhtar is a member of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the Plano Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a volunteer for Junior Achievement, as well as the East Plano Islamic Center.

MARIAN HAIDARI joins the bank team as vice president/commercial relationship manager at its office in

McKinney. She brings more than 12 years of banking experience. Prior to joining Valliance Bank, Haidari served as vice president and branch manager at BTH Bank in Plano.

She holds a BBA degree from the University of Texas–Dallas. Haidari volunteers at the Samaritan Inn, a local nonprofit program that teaches self-sufficiency and life skills to meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

HOPE COLLINS is a new addition to the bank’s Fort Worth team as a lending assistant. She brings more than seven

years of customer service and banking experience. Prior to joining Valliance Bank, Collins served as a loan adminis-trator at Ciera Bank in Aleda.

Also joining the Valliance Bank team in Fort Worth is MOLLY THAMES, who has been hired as a business banker. She brings more than five years of customer service and sales experi-ence. Prior to joining Valliance Bank,

Thames served as a patient care manag-er at Nobilis Health Corp. in Dallas. She holds a BBA degree in business market-ing from the University of North Texas–Denton.

MARIE FULTON has been hired to serve in the bank’s treasury services department as assistant vice president

of treasury sales in Fort Worth. She has more than 16 years of banking experi-ence. Fulton volunteers at the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth and teaches third grade and

kindergarten Sunday school at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mansfield.

Established in 2004, Valliance Bank operates locations in Oklahoma City and Norman, Oklahoma, as well as McKinney and Fort Worth, Texas. •

GILLISPIE

HAIDARI

COLLINS

THAMES

FULTON

BANKERSDIGEST@BANKERSDIGEST.COM

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AKHTAR

Bankers Digest February 4, 2019 | 7

As a banker, you’re an expert in smart money management. Teach Children to Save is the perfect opportunity for you to share this expertise with children in your community while introducing them to basic concepts of financial education.

New: Through FinEdLink, we can connect you with community groups and schools in your area that are interested in hosting banker-led financial education presentations. Simply check the opt-in box when registering for Teach Children to Save.

Get started at aba.com/Teach.

Find Your Community Match with FinEdLink

TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE DAY April 12, 2019 #TeachChildrenToSave

O K L A H O M A First New Oklahoma Bank Charter in 10 Years Granted to Watermark BankIn January, Oklahoma City-based WA-TERMARK BANK was officially granted a charter by the Oklahoma State Banking Department and opened its doors at 921 NW 63rd St. The bank is Oklaho-ma’s first new charter granted in the past decade and one of only 14 granted over the past nine years in the U.S. INTERNATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE received a charter and opened in 2017, although it is associated with Interna-tional Bancshares in Laredo, Texas.

Watermark Bank also holds the distinction of raising the largest amount of capital for a newly chartered bank in Oklahoma history.

According to a company statement, “the boutique bank aims to deliver highly personalized financial service to the community by combining premium technology services with an emphasis on concierge-level customer service.”

“This opening marks a special day for our bank and Oklahoma. We are honored to be a part of the Oklahoma business community and look forward to investing in its success,” says MATT POLLOCK, president and chief executive officer.

Since 2006, Pollock served at BANK SNB, a unit of Pine Bluff, Arkan-sas-based Simmons First National Bank. He was promoted to Oklahoma City market president in 2012 and, in 2015, was named the bank’s regional president for Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas.

According to American Banker, SCOTT MUELLER, chief financial officer at American Energy Partners and Arca-dia Capital, will be Watermark Bank’s non-executive chairman. Fenimore, Kay, Harrison & Ford is providing the group with legal advice. •

L O U I S I A N A

MidSouth Bank, Proyecto Hispano Donate Coats to J.W. Faulk StudentsLafayette-based MIDSOUTH BANK partnered with the nonprofit Proyecto Hispano de Ayuda a La Comunidad to purchase and distribute coats to 30 students at J.W. Faulk Elementary School in Lafayette. The bank donat-ed $1,000 to the organization, which provides goods and services to families in need and works to achieve a strong, united and prosperous Hispanic com-munity. Proyecto Hispano de Ayuda a La Comunidad assists the community in the aftermath of natural disasters, establishes tutoring and training pro-grams and ensures that members of the community receive adequate medical attention.

MidSouth Bank has 42 locations in Louisiana and Texas. •

8 | Bankers Digest February 4, 2019

T E X A S

Texas Capital Bank to Relocate Galleria-Area Office Amid GrowthDallas-based TEXAS CAPITAL BANK NA is relocating its Galleria-area office in Houston to accommodate its strong growth in that market, according to a report in the Houston Business Jour-nal. Texas Capital Bank leased 65,000 square feet at Four Oaks Place in the Uptown submarket, according to a spokesperson from Texas Capital Bank, and according to the Journal, is spend-ing approximately $5.5 million on the office remodel.

“As a result of our impressive growth in Houston over the past five years, where we’ve essentially tripled our loan and deposit base in the market, we are moving to accommodate our expand-ing business,” JOHN SARVADI, Houston executive managing director for Texas Capital Bank, told the Journal. “We look forward to continuing to serve our pre-mier commercial banking and wealth management clients in our new space at Four Oaks Place.”

The bank’s current Galleria-area executive office is a 48,000-square-feet facility at 1 Riverway, less than a mile away from Four Oaks Place. Texas Capital Bank’s banking center on the first floor of 1 Riverway will close, but it will reopen on the first floor space of Four Oaks Place, according to a Texas Capital Bank spokesperson. The project is expected to be completed by March 1.

Texas Capital Bank closed its 1 Riv-erway location for nearly two months starting in August 2017 after its space flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Established in 1998 by seven found-ers, Texas Capital Bank is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The compa-ny is one of the top 100 FDIC banks in the U.S. by asset size. •

T E X A S Midwest-Based Bank to Expand Midsize Business Lending to New Markets, Including HoustonCincinnati-based FIFTH THIRD BANK plans to take its middle-market lending business to Houston, Dallas and Denver within the next year, CEO GREG CARMI-CHAEL announced on January 22 after the bank reported fourth-quarter earn-ings that beat analysts’ estimates. The expansion was reported in the Cincin-nati Business Courier.

Fifth Third Bank has previously added a middle-market lending team in California that was deemed “very successful,” which prompted the bank to decide to expand that portion of its business further. According to Car-michael, Fifth Third Bank already has commercial bankers running its national corporate business in each of the new markets.

“Our track record of hiring strong talent and successfully growing our middle-market franchise gives us a high degree of confidence in executing on

our current expansion plans,” Carmi-chael says in the Courier.

Fifth Third Bank has 1,121 branches in 10 states, all east of the Mississippi River, but it has lending teams around the country. The bank’s middle-market business has grown rapidly in the past year, says Fifth Third Bank COO LARS ANDERSON, who joined the bank in 2015 after nearly five years as vice chairman of Dallas-based Comerica Bank.

“We were able to accumulate a first-class team in California and we’re al-ready seeing some very positive momen-tum there,” Anderson says in the Courier.

“We already have a leader for Texas who will be coming on board shortly…I have a history in Texas and know that market pretty well. We will be able to leverage that. I don’t have any reason to believe we can’t deliver our middle-market value proposition like we have in 2018 in these expansion markets.” •

A R K A N S A S Stone Bank Makes Three-Year Commitment to #believeboonecounty InitiativeMountain View-based STONE BANK has made a three-year, $7,500-per-year commitment to the #believeboonecoun-ty campaign developed by the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce. Harri-son is the seat of Boone County. The total contribution of $22,500 makes the bank one of the strategic initiative’s largest underwriters.

“Boone County began the initiative to accomplish four major goals: devel-op, retain and acquire talent; advance the region’s economy; improve quality of life; and tell our story,” says DUSTY MIDDLETON, Stone Bank senior vice president and Harrison market manager.

“From those initial meetings, the ini-tiative has developed a strategic plan to

accomplish those goals, including new promotional materials and intensive internet management,” Middleton says.

“Our commitment goes well beyond a monetary contribution. We are com-mitted to having our people involved at every level.”

According to Middleton, Stone Bank’s Harrison location has originated more than $80 million in loans and grown to nearly $50 million in deposits since it opened a temporary office there in December 2016. The bank opened a new financial center in Harrison last May.

Stone Bank is a $372-million-asset bank with banking offices in Mountain View, White Hall, Harrison, Little Rock and Cave City. •

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Bankers Digest February 4, 2019 | 9

T E X A S

American Momentum Bank Enters West Texas MarketCollege Station-based AMERICAN MO-MENTUM BANK completed its acquisition of Midland-based COMMERCIAL STATE BANK on January 18. Commercial State Bank, with $676 million in assets as of December 31, 2018, has seven locations in West Texas, including in Midland, An-drews, Odessa, Lubbock and Seminole. American Momentum Bank, with total assets of $1.1 billion as of December 31, has three full-service Texas bank-ing centers in Bryan/College Station, a loan production office in Dallas and 10 full-service banking centers in Florida.

“We are very pleased to expand our footprint in West Texas,” says DONALD A. ADAM, chairman and chief executive officer of American Momentum Bank.

“We’ll be able to offer additional banking services to the community while main-taining the same friendly West Texas way of doing business that people have come to appreciate from Commercial State Bank.”

The merger will bring new service offerings to current and future Com-mercial State Bank clients, includ-ing single-family mortgage lending, small-business administration lending and, with the systems conversion in late April, a new online banking platform.

“As we transition, we will maintain the high level of customer service and the personalized approach that West Texas deserves, as well as adding even more value to the community,” says JOHN GRIST, who will continue with the organization as chief executive officer/West Texas. “The knowledgeable Com-mercial State Bank bankers our clients have come to know and trust will con-tinue to serve as part of the American Momentum Bank team.”

American Momentum Bank was founded in 2006 in Tampa, Florida, as a state-chartered bank. Its parent company, ADAM BANK GROUP, acquired College Station-based BRAZOS VALLEY BANK in 2012, moved its headquarters to Texas and converted to a national charter. •

A R I Z O N A

Branches

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reports that JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA, based in Columbus, Ohio, has applied to establish a branch at the intersection of E. Legacy Blvd. and N. Pima Rd. in Scottsdale.

A R K A N S A S

Branches

The Arkansas State Bank Department reports that ANSTAFF BANK, based in Green Forest, has applied to establish a branch at 777 Hwy. 62 E. in Mountain Home.

The OCC reports that it has approved an application by RELYANCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, based in Pine Bluff, to establish a branch at 100 Morgan Keegan Dr., Ste. 310, in Little Rock.

T E X A S

Branches

The Texas Department of Banking (TDB) reports that BENCHMARK BANK, based in Plano, has applied to establish a branch at 6348 Woodway Dr. in Houston.

The TDB reports that it has approved an application by FROST BANK to establish a branch at 3432 Scott St. in Houston.

The TDB reports that FROST BANK, based in San Antonio, has applied to establish a branch at 19961 U.S. Hwy. 59 in Humble.

The OCC reports that FIRST NATIONAL BANK TEXAS, based in Killeen, has established a branch at 8522 Broadway, Ste. 208, in San Antonio.

The OCC reports that it has approved an application by JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA, based in Columbus, Ohio, to establish a branch at the northeast corner of Six Pines Dr. and Mall Ring Rd. in The Woodlands.

The OCC reports that it has received an application by JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA, based in Columbus, Ohio, to establish a branch at the southwest corner of 82nd St. and Milwaukee Ave. in Lubbock.

The OCC reports that it has received an application by WOODFOREST NATIONAL BANK, based in The Woodlands, to establish a branch at 22850 Morton Ranch Rd. in Katy.

10 | Bankers Digest February 4, 2019

Succession continued from page 3

important, few are giving the attention they should to plan-ning for the next generation of

management, the board or aging stock-holders. To make matters worse, the communities many of these banks are serving are aging as well. Very few young bankers are willing to move their families to Nowheresville, USA. This creates a toxic aging mix and a serious problem for all the banks and regulators charged with oversight of our community banks.

Now, I will be the first to admit that I am no spring chicken and, truthfully, just as bad as my

clients when it comes to thinking about a succession plan. Unlike Bill Murray waking up to I Got You Babe, we don’t have an unlimited number of days to get it right. By ignoring the succession issue, we run the risk of having no

“babe” to wake up to in the event of an untimely death.

Although most companies recognize the importance of succession planning, according to the 2017 Bank Director Compensation Survey, sponsored by Compensation Advisors, “48 percent of bank directors and executives—includ-ing chief executives, human resources officers and chief financial officers—say their bank does not have a successor to replace the CEO when the top executive retires or leaves…Yet, just 17 percent say that developing a CEO succession plan is a top compensation challenge.”

Perhaps in a metropolitan or region-al banking market this would not be a problem. For states such as Arkansas (where I reside), though, 50 of our community banks are located in rural markets like Dumas, McGehee, Delight, Salem and Corning, to name just a few. To compound the pain, according to one survey, 44 percent of the respondents who had identified a potential internal

candidate were very concerned about losing that candidate if he/she did not get the job, thus exacerbating the succession issue and kicking the can

down the organization chart. Turns out they were right to be concerned. Almost a third of the internal candidates who were passed over left the bank or retired.

Hopefully by now, you’ll agree that community bankers have a problem. Even if some of us are calendar-chal-lenged and still believe that we’re only as old as we feel, I can assure you that our state and federal supervisory examiners are not so chronologically deceived. In fact, they have identified succession as one of our major risks for the next several years. They are going to consider our age in their risk matrix.

So, how do we break the time loop, recognize our need for successors, identify qualified leaders and live happi-ly ever after?

First, recognize that succession has to be a priority, not just a recurring con-versation, for the executives, board of directors and stockholders. Your bank is too important to your community to leave it to chance.

Second, identify the most critical links in the executive chain of command. You may be a healthy 42-year-old CEO, but have a 64-year-old chief of opera-tions whose untimely demise would be devastating to your bank. His or her de-parture needs to be first on the board’s list of succession plans. In some banks, the loss of a COO would be far worse than the loss of the CEO.

Third, establish a succession team made up of key board members—usu-ally including the chairman of the board—and at least the bank’s CEO to come up with a board-approved suc-cession plan.

Fourth, before you begin your search for Mr. or Ms. New CEO or COO, identify the job responsibilities of the

executive that’s at the top of your list for a successor. I warn you that this pro-cess can be even scarier than the loss of the person, in that it may begin to dawn on your team how critical that person really is. We find that some banks may have to reallocate job responsibilities across several positions to be able to identify a viable or realistic successor.

Finally, don’t wait until the last min-ute to begin the identification process. It takes time to find a viable successor for key jobs. Unfortunately, 41 percent of banks tended to do succession planning only on an as-needed basis, according to the Meyer survey. At a minimum, regard-less of the executive’s age, the succes-sion team should prepare an emergency plan—for those worse-case scenarios—as well as a three- to five-year plan. In more rural markets, a longer planning horizon will be needed to take into con-sideration younger existing employees who need grooming.

In today’s uncertain banking and reg-ulatory environment, our banks have plenty of issues that need some im-

provement or clarity. Punxsutawney Phil, while an adorable weather icon, is not a very good weatherman. His weather predictions have only been correct 39 percent of the time. With succession planning, our average needs to be high-er. It is such a critical issue that it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later so we can all get on with our lives and live happily ever after.

Oh, and by the way, if you ever get the chance to go to the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, you would be joining me and visitors from across the globe in a uniquely and highly enter-taining American experience! •

Randy Dennis is president and founder of DD&F Consulting Group, a 25-year-old full-service consulting company for community banks based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Whether your goal is to grow, perform or be secure, DD&F has an experienced team that can help you succeed. Contact Dennis regarding strategic planning at 501/374-2600, rdennis@ddfconsulting.com. To learn more, visit ddfconsulting.com.

UNLIKE BILL MURRAY WAKING UP TO I GOT YOU BABE, COMMUNITY BANKERS DON’T HAVE AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF DAYS TO GET IT RIGHT. BY IGNORING THE SUCCESSION ISSUE, WE RUN THE RISK OF HAVING NO

“BABE” TO WAKE UP TO IN THE EVENT OF AN UNTIMELY DEATH.

Bankers Digest February 4, 2019 | 11

P O S I T I O N S A V A I L A B L E

CENTURY BANK IS LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED SENIOR COMMERCIAL LENDER IN THE DALLAS MARKET. The best candidate would have 10 years commercial lending, commercial real estate and real estate development loan experience. The ideal candidate would have strong analytical skills in relation to loan underwriting and financial analysis; highly organized with attention to detail. Prefer individual currently working in the area. Excellent benefit package. For more information and to apply, send résumé to Eileen.tyrrell@centurybnk.com. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

SENIOR OPERATIONS OFFICER AT CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK. Citizens National Bank in Brownwood, Texas, a $200-million bank in Central Texas, is seeking a senior operations officer. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years experience and a desire to be a part of good, stable home-owned community bank. Please submit résumés to JGuest@cnb-brownwood.com.

GROWING, TOP-PERFORMING METROPLEX BANK LOOKING FOR ELITE BANKERS who want to be more than just a hired hand. Bring your book of business and/or team, have a seat at the management table and share in the value creation your efforts produce. Contact David Baty at banker@texasrepublicbank.com.

LOOKING FOR NO. 2 PERSON WHO CAN EVENTUALLY BECOME PRESIDENT/CEO. I am looking for a No. 2 person who can eventually become president and chief executive officer of a $500-million community bank located in Texas with multiple locations. I am currently president/CEO looking for a person to back up and support my position. I anticipate working for a few more years, but looking down the road I need someone in training now for succession planning. The bank is profitable, in good condition, has low-employee turnover, good culture and a stable board of directors and shareholders.

Résumés will be held confidential. I would advise any candidate to be patient in the interview process as I/we are looking for an all-around good fit with our culture. Bank needs to grow, expand market share and become more efficient. EOE. Submit résumé to advertising@bankersdigest.com with JAN-2 in the subject line.

SENIOR COMMERCIAL LENDERS: Dallas, Houston and Austin: Texas bank looking for senior commercial lenders in Dallas, Houston and Austin with five to 10 years’ experience originating C&I, CRE, SBA and deposit relationships. Could move into a leadership role. Prefer credit trained, currently producing in the their market. Base salary $125–200k+, progressive incentive plan. Send résumé to apotenti@babich.com or call Anthony Potenti at 214/515-7609.

BANK SEARCH AND PLACEMENT: We specialize in officer-level searches requiring high degrees of confidentiality and personal, in-market interaction. Simply better service. Mark Mitchell, Lone Star Search, 972/335-9009, mark@lonestarsearch.net.

COMPLIANCE OFFICER: The National Bank of Texas is looking for candidates in the Fort Worth area for a compliance officer. Candidates should have strong knowledge of banking regulations, including Office of the Comptroller of the Currency requirements. We offer a growth environment with excellent benefits and a salary commensurate with qualifications. Send résumé and salary expectations to NBTHRDept@

nationalbanktexas.com. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

CHIEF LENDING OFFICER/COMMERCIAL LENDER FOR LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, AREA. Growing community bank needs seasoned CRE lender. Stock and ownership options. Please call or send résumé to Kevin@Babich.com, 214/515-7606.

LOCATION PRESIDENT/LENDER: Ready to run your own location? Independent community bank is looking for energetic individual to manage and grow a $100MM+ branch located in the South Central Texas area. Degree required, along with minimum 10 years experience in all areas of banking, with emphasis in commercial and real estate lending. Formal credit training a plus. Prefer individual currently working in the area. Excellent benefit package. Please reply in confidence by sending résumé and salary requirements to advertising@bankersdigest.com and include JAN-1 in the subject line. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

VICE PRESIDENT COMMERCIAL LENDER, FIRST FINANCIAL BANK NA, STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS: Bachelor’s degree. Accounting/finance preferred and six years of previous banking experience. Professional demeanor, oral communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Must actively participate in sales/service culture and support core values of the organization. Apply at ffin.com/careers.

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N E W M E X I C O Grant Helps Revitalize Historic Downtown TucumcariOne of Route 66’s most iconic small towns, Tucumcari, is undergoing a revi-talization, thanks in part to $17,000 in partnership grant program funds from TUCUMCARI FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION and the FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DALLAS (FHLB Dallas). The funds were awarded to Tucumcari MainStreet Corp. in mid-January during a ceremonial check presentation. The

funds will be used to offset operating expenses, support educational oppor-tunities for entrepreneurs and develop fundraising programs.

“We’re trying to reinvest in our community and return it to how our residents remember it—a friendly place where everyone knows each other,” says COOPER GLOVER, MainStreet Corp. board president.

FHLB Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank system. With total assets of $73.7 billion as of Septem-ber 30, 2018, it supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and oth-er credit products to approximately 825 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. •

1700 RIO GRANDE ST., STE. 100AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701

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B A N K E R S D I G E S T F E B R U A R Y 4 , 2 0 1 9

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