Sterling Bank Expands its North Texas Team

DALLAS and FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sterling Bank today announced the addition of four experienced North Texas bankers to its Dallas and Fort Worth commercial banking teams.  Lane Allen, Jeff Vincent, Cody Kiser, and Jeff Strasner have joined Sterling Bank's team of bankers who will serve small to medium-sized businesses throughout the Metroplex.

"This is a knowledgeable, highly respected team of professional bankers," said Sterling Bank North Texas Regional CEO Robert Merkle.  "Their experience and knowledge of the DFW Metroplex market will bring added value to our business customers.  We are very pleased that they have chosen to join us."

Lane Allen joins the team as Market CEO for Sterling's Uptown Dallas market.  Allen was previously vice president and commercial account officer for Bank of Texas.  Prior to that he held positions in the Dallas market with Wachovia Bank, Compass Bank, and JP Morgan Chase.

Jeff Vincent joins the team as Market CEO for Sterling's Fort Worth market.  Vincent was previously Senior Vice President and Business Banking Sales Manager for Region's Bank in Fort Worth.  He previously held positions with First Financial Bank in Burleson and with Frost Bank's North Texas operations.  

Cody Kiser joins the team as Vice President & Commercial Banker for Sterling's Fort Worth market.  He previously served as business banking relationship manager for Regions Bank in Fort Worth and has held a series of positions with Regions Bank in Fort Worth and Little Rock since 2005.

Jeff Strasner has joined the team as Senior Vice President & Commercial Banker for Sterling's Uptown market. He previously served as Vice President of Commercial Banking at Bank of Texas. Prior to that he held positions with Compass, Lone Star, and Wachovia Bank.  

Texas-based Sterling Bank has been in the North Texas area since 2000 and operates 13 full-service banking centers throughout the Metroplex.  With $5 billion in total assets, Sterling focuses on serving the needs of small to medium-sized businesses, their owners, employees, and its banking center neighbors.  The common stock for Sterling Bancshares, Inc. is traded through the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "SBIB".  For more information on Sterling Bancshares, please visit the company's web site at www.banksterling.com.

Photos: Lane Allen, Cody Kiser, Jeff Strasner, Jeff Vincent,

SOURCE Sterling Bank