Bank One Picks Texas Executive To Run Enlarged La. Operation

Bank One Corp. said Monday that it has completed its integration of the former First Commerce Corp. and named an executive from Texas to run its Louisiana banking operations.

Mike Ballases was named vice chairman of Bank One Louisiana. He is to become president and chief executive officer of the Louisiana operation in mid-1999.

Mr. Ballases had been executive vice president of Bank One Texas and manager of its corporate banking in the Houston area.

In Louisiana, Mr. Ballases, 48, will succeed G. Lee Griffin, who is to retire in the middle of next year. Mr. Griffin, 60, was chairman of Premier Bancorp, which was bought two years ago by Bank One. He has been Bank One's Louisiana president since 1996.

Bank One converted the six First Commerce banks last weekend. It completed the First Commerce acquisition in June, becoming Louisiana's largest banking company, with more than 200 branches and 800 automated teller machines statewide.

Bank One is headquartered in Chicago.

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