Chris Furlow TBA President & CEO
3/1/2021 As we go to print for the March edition of Texas Banking, it is the end of an icy February week that brought our state its worst winter weather event in decades.
2/1/2021 Banks have led as economic first responders during the pandemic, even as some government partners changed the rules of the Paycheck Protection Program and other relief efforts.
1/1/2021 The dawn of 2021 provides the opportunity to turn the page and to have fresh perspective.
12/1/2020 With the challenges and change that 2020 threw at the banking industry, one thing we can say about the year is that it gave Texas bankers the opportunity to shine.
11/1/2020 You will also find no better witness to the nobility of character than Texas community bankers during this challenging year — from working tirelessly to save jobs and small businesses to contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to feed neighbors
10/1/2020 With Cybersecurity Month upon us and the Nov. 3 elections just days away, our thoughts turn to the implications of possible cyber-sourced election disruption.
9/1/2020 This year the COVID-19 pandemic presents a rare opportunity to reset the discussion in the bank versus credit union debate and provide long-straddling elected officials and candidates with new facts.
8/1/2020 The ease — or difficulty — of the PPP forgiveness process will ultimately define the success or failure of the program for both PPP small business borrowers and lenders.
7/1/2020 “In God We Trust. All Others Pay Cash.” The first thought that ran through my mind was that banks should have posted this message for the government at the launch of the PPP.
6/1/2020 “Interim Final Rule.” Interim and final? Only the government could come up with something so bureaucratic and official yet “oxymoronic.”
5/1/2020 As of April 16, Texas banks led the way, making more than 134,737 approved loans — the highest number among the 50 states. The amount of approved loans totaled more than $28 billion.
4/1/2020 Texas banks, which have long had pandemic plans, have taken swift action to protect and provide prudent aid to customers; to care for their perseverant employees; and to ensure safety and soundness across our banking system.
3/1/2020 When ATMs emerged in the 1960s and '70s, some futurists saw it as the beginning of the end of community banking. It clearly wasn't. Today, we see many actors challenging community banks using technology.
2/1/2020 In April, the Texas Bankers Association proudly celebrates the 100th anniversary of its Agriculture Conference.
1/1/2020 There were many accomplishments in 2019. But as we look back, we recall that 2019 was bittersweet as TBA mourned the loss of two industry giants this fall.
11/1/2019 There are factors beyond the control of community bankers that dictate the condition of the U.S. and global economies. The status of the yield curve is certainly important, but there are other critical questions to ask.
10/1/2019 When most people think about cybersecurity, they think about technology. But the human element remains the most significant challenge we face when it comes to cyber vulnerabilities.
9/1/2019 When you speak with Texas community bankers, especially those closest to the border, BSA/AML issues are frequently atop the list of concerns. A particular sticking point is the Currency Transaction Report threshold of $10,000.
8/1/2019 The Texas Bankers Foundation has launched a new initiative that recognizes our association???s passion for financial literacy, education and a healthy agriculture community in Texas.
7/1/2019 The bank-core relationship is fundamental to meeting the needs of bank customers and this requires strong collaboration in a rapidly evolving and ultra-competitive marketplace.