Texas

If roughing it together in the wilderness and cooking for one another build character and team spirit in schoolkids, scouts and soldiers, why shouldn't they do the same for bankers?

Sometimes the very challenges millennials introduce — whether it is seeking more benefits, demanding flexible schedules or asking for frequent feedback on performance — can turn banks into better places to work for employees of all ages.

Quirky Amarillo National Bank asks the strangest job interview questions, has a "director of celebrations" on staff, and makes sure nobody has a title with the word "chief" in it. There isn't even a CEO.

Popular among employees: The Wow, Win and Spirit awards, which come with different levels of monetary prizes, go to exceptional employees throughout the year. Then, at the end of the year, there is a drawing from the pool of winners for a $1,000 prize.

Benchmark Bank is willing to work with the people who work for it.

Activity to relieve stress/promote fun: When temperatures exceeded 108 degrees during a heat wave last year, Veritex hired a Kona Shaved Ice truck to visit all offices and give employees free icy treats.

Amarillo National Bank, No. 12 in the overall ranking, is No. 3 in the category for banks with $3 billion to $10 billion of assets.

Popular with employees: Employees submit ideas to improve the bank through an intranet site. The reward for ideas that get implemented is a cash prize ranging from $25 to $1,000.

Popular with employees: Employees team up by branches and departments to develop a theme for the Halloween costume contest.

Fitness/wellness program: Allegiance provides a medical concierge service to all employees on site or in their homes.

Popular with employees: Last year Happy State gave more than $101,000 to help employees in crisis with medical expenses, car repairs and mortgage payments.

Popular with employees: Trivia questions go out the Friday before every Texas Tech football game. The first three employees to respond with the correct answers win a prize, such as gift cards, game tickets and Texas Tech apparel.

Months after advocating for a blockbuster sale of Comerica, Hudson Executive Capital has slashed its stake in the company, as chatter about a potential deal has fizzled. Still, the firm is credited with pushing the struggling regional bank to adopt a surprisingly aggressive turnaround plan.

The $13.1 billion-asset parent company of PlainsCapital Bank named William Furr CFO, effective Sept. 1.

Santander Consumer USA Holdings again delayed its second-quarter results and financial statement due to ongoing discussions with federal regulators about accounting issues.

The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., disclosed the identities of directors nominated to its board by two investor groups.

The chairman of First National Bank of Santa Fe has accepted additional duties ahead of the bank's upcoming merger.

The spike in the Libor rate is a boon for banks that have lots of floating-rate loans tied to the well-known benchmark. Shifts in money market funds are the driver, with the big question being how long the run will last.

Some observers are concerned that borrowers in energy-dependent regions, in an effort to compensate for pay cuts, are becoming overleveraged. But lenders say they are being prudent.

The $1.1 billion-asset bank said in a press release Monday that it appointed Ron Coben to become its interim chief executive, succeeding Jeffrey Wilkinson, who resigned "to pursue his next entrepreneurial challenge.