The TABC was organized in 1976 as the result of the efforts of a number of Texas bank lawyers. Those lawyers, who were from various parts of the state, had been working with each other for some time on a bank card program in which their respective clients were participating. At that time, the lawyers were dealing with a fairly new complex body of consumer credit regulation legislation. They found that their common interest was highly specialized and that it was, therefore, helpful to exchange ideas with others who were dealing with the same problems. As a result of this initial contact, the exchange of information, ideas and concerns grew, and the group concluded that there was a need for a permanent organization that would bring together lawyers who regularly represented banks to do, on a larger scale, what they had been doing. The result was organization of the Texas Association of Bank Counsel in July of 1976.

As stated in its Bylaws, the purpose of TABC, among other things, is to bring together by association, communication and organization, Texas lawyers who devote a substantial part of their professional time to the representation of banks and other financial institutions, to provide for the exchange among members of such information about transactional techniques, developments in the law and the like as would be calculated to enhance the knowledge and improve the skills of counsel.

Board of Directors

TABC is organized as a Texas nonprofit corporation. Its governing body is a Board of Directors of 15-plus the Association's officers and its immediate past president. The officers are a president, a president-elect, a vice president, and a secretary-treasurer. Officers and directors are elected annually by the members at a convention held each fall. Officers hold office for one year, and the 15 other members of the Board hold office for three years with one-third of the 15 elected each year.

Historically, the Board membership has had a geographical balance and a balance between lawyers from major cities who primarily represent larger banking organizations and those representing community banks that for the most part come from smaller communities. In like manner, the holders of officer positions have alternated between lawyers from the state's larger cities and those from smaller communities.

Board of Directors Roster

Relationship with TBA

In many states the only organization substantially similar to the TABC is a section or committee of the state bankers organization. Although the TABC has long enjoyed, and continues to enjoy, a good working relationship with the Texas Bankers Association, the TABC is an entirely separate and independent organization. There is another banker's organization in Texas, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, which is made up of mostly community bankers. The General Counsel of IBAT currently serves as an advisory director.

Since organization, the General Counsel of the TBA has been our Association's Secretary-Treasurer as is the present TBA General Counsel, John M. Heasley. An arrangement exists under which the TBA staff provides TABC with record keeping and other administrative support services, and TABC members are on the mailing list for news releases and similar materials mailed by TBA to its member banks. These materials are particularly helpful to our members during the legislative session.

TABC members and committees have provided a wide range of technical assistance to TBA.

Relationship with Texas Tech School of Law

TABC also enjoys a good working relationship with the School of Law of Texas Tech University. Our monthly publication, "The Texas Bank Lawyer", is one result of the relationship between TABC and the Law School of Texas Tech.

Through the efforts of student writers and the editor, Professor John Krahmer, who also serves as an advisory director, "The Texas Bank Lawyer" is a most helpful publication for the bank lawyer. There is no doubt that receipt of the TBL is one of the more attractive benefits from TABC membership.

Texas Tech Law School has made a significant commitment to education in the field of banking law. TABC funds scholarships awarded annually to TBL student editors and writers.

If you would like more information about the TBL and the Association's relationship with the Texas Tech Law School, please contact Professor John Krahmer (806) 742-3920.