Chip Bartlett Joins Texas Bankers as Senior Vice President of Government Relations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 12, 2026
(AUSTIN) – Texas Bankers Association (TBA) CEO Chris Furlow and General Counsel/EVP for Government Relations Celeste Embrey are proud to announce the appointment of David “Chip” Bartlett as Senior Vice President of Government Relations, further strengthening the association’s leadership at a time when Texas banks are playing a key role in the nation’s financial future. The appointment is effective March 1, 2026.
“I was drawn to TBA because Texas is emerging as the new financial capital of the nation, and Texas banks of all sizes are contributing to this remarkable shift,” Bartlett said. “TBA is at the center of that story, and I am excited to be part of helping to shape that future.”
“Chip shares TBA’s commitment to reining in government overreach and allowing banks to focus on their essential role supporting Texas families and the American economy,” said Furlow. “His passion for the industry, experience, and integrity bolster our ability to advance member policy priorities before Congress, federal agencies, and other key stakeholders.”
Bartlett comes to TBA from the Financial Services Forum, where he most recently served as Vice President of Government Relations. He previously served as Vice President of Congressional Relations at the Consumer Bankers Association and served in the same position at the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), where he focused on legislative and regulatory priorities tied to financial regulatory reform and the needs of community banks.
Embrey added, “Chip’s background will be invaluable as we tell the story of the men and women who tirelessly work to meet the deposit and credit needs of families, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses in communities across Texas and the nation.”
Bartlett’s Capitol Hill experience includes serving as Senior Legislative Assistant for Financial Services to US Rep. French Hill, where he managed a broad portfolio of issues before the House Financial Services Committee, including legislation affecting financial institutions, capital markets, housing, tax, and trade policy.
Further, Bartlett brings security and regulatory experience to his TBA role. He held multiple roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), including serving as a Treasury attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, where he supported cross-border financial intelligence coordination and anti-money laundering efforts. Earlier in his career, he served as a bank examiner with the Arkansas State Bank Department, giving him firsthand experience with safety and soundness supervision and Bank Secrecy Act compliance.
Although Bartlett has worked with banks of every size, he said he is especially motivated to advocate for community banks.
“My dad was a proud Texas banker for well over a decade, so I know the value and trusted relationships that TBA members offer their customers and communities, and I look forward to fighting on their behalf,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett’s move to Texas represents a homecoming for his family. His family resided in Plano and Corpus Christi during his childhood, and his wife, Sarah, hails from nearby Arkansas.
# # # #
About Texas Bankers AssociationThe Texas Bankers Association is America’s oldest and largest state banking trade organization. TBA has been at the forefront of critical industry issues, including challenging hyper-regulation such as Biden’s CFPB’s Sec. 1071 rule, advocating for common-sense deposit insurance reform, and leading initiatives for community bank security, innovation, and competitiveness.