HARLINGEN, Texas - The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) has honored Texas Regional Bank (TRB) with two Best of Community Banking (BCOB) Awards.
TRB was awarded the Community Spirit Award for Architectural Design and the Gold Eagle Award for Innovation in Community Banking.
IBAT celebrates various aspects of community banking across Texas, and 2023 marks the 32nd year that the association hosted the BOCB Awards.
The BOCB competition recognizes Texas banks for their innovation, creativity, and success in serving their customers, communities, and employees.
Awards are presented as Community Spirit Award, Gold Eagle, Silver Eagle, or Bronze Eagle in one of six categories: architectural design, bank culture, community service, financial literacy, innovation, and marketing.
Jason Leal, chief experience officer for TRB, said community banks, such as his, play a critical role in their local communities. He pointed out that TRB was one of three banks to win the Community Spirit Award and was honored as the recipient in the Architectural Design category. Leal said TRB shows its appreciation for its communities by incorporating local building materials and historical photographs throughout its banking centers.
"When you combine our architecture with not only our core values but the culture of our people inside the branch, it makes the branch warm and inviting,” Leal said. Our branches have become more than just a bank; it’s where customers can gather and talk to their friends.”
TRB was also awarded the Gold Eagle Award for Innovation. Brad Freudenberg, chief technology officer at TRB, played a pivotal role in this achievement.
Freudenberg said the Golden Eagle for Innovation demonstrates TRB's dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements within the banking industry. Through technology, Freudenberg said, TRB provides a better banking experience for its customers and employees.
"Texas Regional Bank is different from most community banks because we’re investing in technology and how technology can help to support the future," Freudenberg said. "We achieve this by bringing technology in-house by building our software and establishing our infrastructure.”
Editor’s Note: Click here to view a complete list of the BCOB award winners.
In other TRB news, Ben Fedorko as joined the bank as Trust Division President. In this role, Fedorko will oversee TRB's statewide trust business operations, bringing his expertise to drive the division.
"It's an honor to be entrusted with overseeing TRB’s statewide trust operations,” Fedorko said. “I look forward to leveraging my expertise in estate planning and fiduciary services to manage assets, build lasting relationships, and safeguard our clients' legacies."
A graduate of Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, Fedorko has a Bachelor of Business Administration, specializing in Management, and a minor in Economics. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, he pursued a law degree at South Texas College of Law. While there, he was a member of the South Texas Law Review.
Fedorko launched his career as a corporate lawyer with an international law firm based in Houston. He eventually narrowed his focus to specializing in trusts and estates. He holds a certification in Estate Planning and Probate from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Houston Business and Estate Planning Council member.
"We are excited to welcome Ben to the Texas Regional Bank family," said John Tippit, executive vice president over Divisions of Texas Regional Bank. "His comprehensive background, combined with his deep roots in the Texas community, makes him the ideal leader to elevate our Trust Division to the next level."
As of June 30, 2023, Texas Regional Bank had assets of approximately $2.6 billion with 30 banking centers across the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Hill Country, Houston, and DFW Metroplex. TRB is a full-service financial institution offering core banking, trust, wealth management, mortgage, international banking, insurance, foreign exchange, and economic development services.
