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Henderson; and the banking-relat- Tidwell Takes the Helm as Texas A&M
ed company Banker’s Toolbox Inc.,
Austin. Receiving the “Best” desig-
nation in the category of small-sized
companies—those with 15 to 99 U.S.
employees—are Texan Bank, Hous-
ton; SouthWest Bank, Odessa; and
banking-related company CalTech,
San Angelo.
Launched in 2006, the state-
wide program is designed to
identify, recognize and honor the
best places of employment in Texas,
benefiting the state’s economy,
workforce and businesses. Com-
panies across the state entered the
two-part survey process that eval-
uated employee experiences and
the company’s workplace policies,
systems, philosophies, practices
and demographics to determine
the 2018 honorees.
“We employ people who strive
to be the best in many aspects of
their lives, whether it’s serving
our customers or our communi-
ties,” says Dewey Bryant, CEO of
SouthWest Bank. “To support their
individual goals, we encourage our
employees to attend various train-
ing programs, participate in local
events and be active in the commu-
nities we serve. We also recognize
their efforts as part of our core
values and leadership program.”
For more information on the
“Best Companies to Work for in
Texas” program, visit BestCompa-
niesTX.com.
Anahuac National
Bank Opens
Hardin Bank
ardin Bank, based in Hardin,
Hopened its doors in February.
A branch of Anahuac National
Bank, Hardin Bank is under the
leadership of senior vice presi-
dent Bob Allen, a Hardin resident
and veteran banker with 10 years
of service to Anahuac National
Bank. Allen’s team includes branch
16 | THE TEXAS INDEPENDENT BANKER
Commercial Banking Program Chair
n January, Brad Tidwell, pres- ment options at finance industry
Iident and CEO of Hender- alternatives.
son-based Citizens National During his tenure as chair-
Bank, began a three-year term man, Tidwell is focusing on three
as chairman of the primary goals. First is to continue
Commercial Banking to grow the program, both in terms
Program Advisory of student enrollment and funding.
Board at Texas A&M Financial contributions from the
University’s Mays banking industry, along with in-
Business School. He dustries that support commercial
took over the banking, are critical to ensure the
position stability and long-term viability of
held by the program.
AMONG THE ISSUES THAT THE PROGRAM HAS SOUGHT
TO ADDRESS IS THE GROWING CONCERN THAT THE BANKING
INDUSTRY SUFFERS FROM A TALENT SHORTAGE.
the advisory board’s founding Tidwell’s second goal is to build
chairman, Robert Messer, senior a stable funding base by widening
executive vice president and CFO bank membership in the program,
of American National Bank of eventually enabling the establish-
Texas in Terrell. In addition, Geoff ment of a permanent endowment,
Greenwade, president and CEO of which will help attract top talent to
Houston-based Green Bank N.A., the program.
is the advisory board’s new vice The third, and most ambi-
chairman. tious, goal is to create a nationally
Since it was launched in recognized research institute for
2011, the program has graduated commercial banking that would
approximately 160 students into provide cutting-edge research and
full-time positions at banks across be the premier data provider for
Texas and Oklahoma, offering the commercial banking industry .
both undergraduate and graduate In order to accomplish these
degrees. goals, Tidwell is urging communi-
Among the issues that the ty, regional and national banks to
Commercial Banking Program has expand internship and mentoring
sought to address is the growing opportunities for banking stu-
concern that the banking industry dents, and to take part in pro-
suffers from a talent shortage. Spe-
cifically, there has been a dearth of grams like the one at Texas A&M.
He and his colleagues stress that
trained entry-level talent seeking increasing banker involvement
employment at banks, a problem nationwide is the key to the long-
compounded by the growing num- term success of both the program
ber of baby boomer-aged bankers and the industry.
heading into retirement. Addi- —Cecil H. Arnim III,
tional threats contributing to the Senior Vice President and Group
shortage include the elimination Manager, Commercial Banking,
of in-house training programs and Green Bank, Houston
an increasing number of employ-