ServisFirst Bank Announces Expansion into Texas

Rhea-AI Summary

ServisFirst Bank (NYSE:SFBS) announced expansion into Texas with a new office in Houston, effective Dec. 15, 2025. The bank appointed Christopher Dvorachek as Regional CEO, Texas & Executive Vice President to lead the market entry.

The Houston team includes seven senior commercial bankers and treasury/portfolio professionals with experience in underwriting, portfolio management, treasury sales, and commercial lending. ServisFirst previously introduced correspondent banking services in Texas in 2023 and is working with a tenant representative to identify permanent offices.

News Market Reaction

+1.36%

1 alert

+1.36% News Effect

On the day this news was published, SFBS gained 1.36%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Steven Taylor experience: 15 years Dena Chapa experience: nearly 20 years Sherien Owida experience: 20 years +1 more

4 metrics

Steven Taylor experience 15 years Commercial banking experience cited for Senior Vice President role

Dena Chapa experience nearly 20 years Credit underwriting and portfolio management experience

Sherien Owida experience 20 years Underwriting, portfolio management, and commercial credit analysis experience

Texas expansion reference year 2023 Year correspondent banking services were introduced in Texas

Market Reality Check

Price: $84.33 Vol: Volume 325,932 is 1.33x t...

normal vol

$84.33 Last Close

Volume Volume 325,932 is 1.33x the 20-day average of 245,575 ahead of this Texas expansion news. normal

Technical Shares at $73.76 traded -23.53% below the 52-week high of $96.46 and 10.95% above the 52-week low of $66.48, sitting below the 200-day MA of $77.73 before this announcement.

Peers on Argus

SFBS was down 1.39% pre-news. Key peers like IBOC (-0.46%), ABCB (-0.10%), AUB (...

SFBS was down 1.39% pre-news. Key peers like IBOC (-0.46%), ABCB (-0.10%), AUB (-0.41%), BANF (-0.57%) and ASB (-1.43%) also traded slightly lower, indicating a generally weak regional bank tape rather than a Texas-specific re‑rating for SFBS.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Oct 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Oct 20	Q3 2025 earnings	Positive	-6.8%	Reported higher EPS, NIM, and loan/deposit growth yet shares fell post‑print.
Sep 26	Earnings date set	Neutral	-1.1%	Announced Q3 results and webcast schedule; stock drifted modestly lower.
Sep 15	Dividend declaration	Positive	-0.6%	Board approved <b>$0.335</b> quarterly dividend; shares eased slightly afterward.
Jul 28	Industry ranking	Positive	-0.6%	Ranked fifth among $10–50B banks on strong profitability metrics; stock ticked down.
Jul 21	Q2 2025 earnings	Positive	-0.7%	Strong EPS, margin, and balance sheet trends but shares moved modestly lower.

Pattern Detected

Recent fundamentally positive updates (earnings strength, rankings, dividends) have been followed by modest negative price reactions, suggesting a pattern of selling into good news.

Recent Company History

Over the last six months, ServisFirst reported strong Q2 and Q3 2025 results with EPS growth, expanding net interest margins, and rising loans and deposits, yet each earnings event saw a negative next‑day move. A positive industry ranking in July and a dividend declaration in September also coincided with mild declines. Against that backdrop, today’s Texas expansion and leadership build-out extend the bank’s growth footprint, but come while the stock trades below its 200-day average and well under its 52-week high.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights ServisFirst Bank’s strategic push into Texas via a new Houston office a...

Analysis

This announcement highlights ServisFirst Bank’s strategic push into Texas via a new Houston office and a seasoned local leadership team. It follows prior steps in 2023 introducing correspondent banking services in the state, reinforcing a long-term regional focus. Recent history shows the company delivering strong earnings and dividends while the stock traded below its 200-day average. Investors may watch loan growth, deposit trends, and credit quality in Texas to gauge how effectively this expansion contributes to overall performance.

Key Terms

correspondent banking, treasury management, portfolio management, capital call lines, +2 more

6 terms

correspondent banking financial

"expanded its presence in the state through the introduction of Correspondent Banking services in Texas"

A network arrangement where one bank provides payment, settlement and foreign-exchange services on behalf of another bank so customers can send and receive money across regions where the sending bank has no branch. Think of it as a local post office using an international partner to deliver mail: it enables cross-border trade and remittances, generates fee income for the servicing bank, and creates operational and compliance risks that can affect bank profitability and market access.

treasury management financial

"Vice President, Treasury Management Sales Officer): Lorena brings expertise in treasury management sales"

Treasury management is a company's day‑to‑day handling of cash, short‑term investments, borrowing and financial risks to make sure bills are paid, excess cash is used wisely, and exposure to things like interest rates or foreign currencies is controlled. Think of it as running the company's checking account and emergency fund so operations keep flowing. For investors, strong treasury management signals that a company can meet obligations, fund growth without costly surprises, and protect value in changing markets.

portfolio management financial

"nearly 20 years of experience in credit underwriting, portfolio management, and commercial risk assessment"

Portfolio management is the process of selecting, organizing, and overseeing a collection of investments to achieve specific financial goals. It involves making decisions about where to put money, balancing risk and reward, and adjusting the mix of investments over time, much like a gardener tending to different plants to ensure a healthy, thriving garden. This helps investors grow their wealth steadily while managing potential losses.

capital call lines financial

"deep expertise across capital call lines, fund finance, commercial and industrial lending"

Capital call lines are short-term loans a fund uses to pay for investments or expenses before it collects committed money from its investors. Think of it like a bridge loan that lets a buyer move quickly while waiting for a promised paycheck; it smooths timing, speeds deal-making, and can reduce the number of immediate requests for cash from investors. For investors, these lines affect a fund’s apparent performance, risk profile, and the timing of when they must provide capital.

fund finance financial

"deep expertise across capital call lines, fund finance, commercial and industrial lending"

Fund finance is the set of lending arrangements and credit lines that provide cash to investment funds—such as private equity, real estate, or hedge funds—so they can operate, make investments, or bridge timing gaps between raising capital and deploying it. Think of it like a business credit card or short-term loan for a fund: it smooths cash flow and can boost returns, but it also increases leverage and liquidity risk, which investors should monitor.

commercial and industrial lending financial

"capital call lines, fund finance, commercial and industrial lending, and specialty industry segments"

Commercial and industrial lending is when banks and other lenders make loans to businesses to pay for things like equipment, inventory, payroll, or short-term cash needs—think of it as a business taking out a mortgage or line of credit to keep operations running. Investors care because the size, growth and quality of these loans affect a lender’s profits and risk exposure: healthy lending can signal steady income, while rising defaults can warn of trouble in the economy or a bank’s balance sheet.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Christopher Dvorachek Appointed Regional CEO, Texas

HOUSTON, Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), is pleased to announce its expansion into Texas with the opening of a new office in Houston. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the Bank’s continued growth and reflects its commitment to serving clients in one of the country’s most dynamic commercial markets. To lead the Bank’s entry into Texas, ServisFirst Bank has appointed Christopher Dvorachek as Regional CEO, Texas & Executive Vice President. Christopher brings three decades of commercial banking experience with extensive expertise in delivering strategic financial solutions, driving market expansion, recruiting and developing high-performing teams, and leading new-market growth initiatives. He is a graduate of Marquette University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business degree in Economics.

“We are thrilled to officially launch ServisFirst Bank in Texas under Chris’s leadership,” states Tom Broughton, ServisFirst Bank Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President. “His deep experience, strong business acumen, and proven ability to build successful markets make him the ideal person to establish our footprint in Texas.”

In addition to Christopher, ServisFirst Bank has built a strong initial team to support its Texas presence:

• Steven Taylor (Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer): Steven brings 15 years of commercial banking experience and a background in business ownership, giving him a unique operational perspective that strengthens his advisory approach for clients. He has extensive experience structuring financing solutions in specialized industries.
• Lori Christian (Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer): Lori offers more than two decades of experience in credit underwriting, commercial lending, and portfolio growth. She has developed deep expertise across capital call lines, fund finance, commercial and industrial lending, and specialty industry segments.
• Michael Reyes (Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer): Michael brings over two decades of experience progressing from branch leadership to managing complex commercial relationships. He has successfully built and managed sizable loan and deposit portfolios and is known for strong client service and credit discipline.
• Dena Chapa (Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager): Dena has nearly 20 years of experience in credit underwriting, portfolio management, and commercial risk assessment. She has managed large middle-market portfolios and has expertise in credit structuring, loan negotiation, and onboarding new commercial clients.
• Lorena Chavez (Vice President, Treasury Management Sales Officer): Lorena brings expertise in treasury management sales, onboarding, and operational integration. She has supported complex commercial clients, managed risk mitigation processes, and assisted with system conversions during bank acquisitions.
• Sherien Owida (Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Manager): Sherien has extensive experience in underwriting, portfolio management, and commercial credit analysis. She manages and underwrites commercial credit relationships with a strong analytical background and a focus on sound credit decisions.
• Morgan Gonzales (Commercial Account Manager): Morgan has experience supporting commercial banking teams through client servicing, loan onboarding, operations support, and daily account management. She is known for delivering high-level service and coordinating with internal partners to meet client needs.
  
  

“It is an honor to lead ServisFirst Bank’s Texas expansion,” said Christopher Dvorachek, Regional CEO, Texas & Executive Vice President. “Texas has a remarkable economy with exceptional opportunity. We have assembled a highly talented team of commercial bankers, portfolio managers, and treasury professionals who are dedicated to delivering the efficiency, responsiveness, and client-centric approach that ServisFirst Bank is known for.”

In 2023, ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. expanded its presence in the state through the introduction of Correspondent Banking services in Texas, further reinforcing the bank’s long-term commitment to the region. The addition of the Houston office marks the next significant step in ServisFirst Bank’s strategic growth across the Texas market. ServisFirst Bank is working with a tenant representative to identify permanent offices.

For more information regarding ServisFirst Bank’s recent Texas expansion announcement, please contact Krista Conlin at Krista@KCProjects.net. For more about ServisFirst Bank, please visit www.servisfirstbank.com.

ABOUT SERVISFIRST BANK
ServisFirst Bank is a full-service commercial bank focused on commercial banking, correspondent banking, treasury management, private banking and the professional consumer market, emphasizing competitive products, state-of-the-art technology and a focus on quality service. Recently, the Bank announced that its assets exceed $18 billion. The Bank offers sophisticated treasury management products, Internet banking, home mortgage lending, remote deposit express banking, and highly competitive rates. 

ServisFirst Bank was formed in May 2005, and has offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In April 2015, and annually thereafter, ServisFirst Bank has earned investment- grade ratings and a stable outlook from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), which measures companies’ financial fundamentals. ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of its filings may be obtained at www.servisfirstbancshares.com.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Krista Conlin, Krista@KCProjects.net

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d616d9ca-63b1-4e89-bf24-607c20f22c3f

 

FAQ

What did ServisFirst Bank (SFBS) announce on December 15, 2025 about Texas?

ServisFirst Bank announced a Texas expansion with a new Houston office and appointment of Christopher Dvorachek as Regional CEO, Texas.

Who is Christopher Dvorachek and what role will he have at ServisFirst Bank (SFBS)?

Christopher Dvorachek was named Regional CEO, Texas & Executive Vice President to lead ServisFirst Bank's Texas market entry.

Which ServisFirst Bank (SFBS) services and teams are starting in Houston?

The Houston office will include commercial banking officers, portfolio managers, treasury management sales, and commercial account management.

When did ServisFirst Bancshares (SFBS) first expand into Texas before the Houston office?

ServisFirst introduced correspondent banking services in Texas in 2023.

Will ServisFirst Bank (SFBS) have a permanent Houston office yet?

ServisFirst is working with a tenant representative to identify permanent offices in Houston.