The Texas Bankers Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Texas Bankers Association, honored Tom C. Nichols of Fort Worth with the 50-Year Banker Award during TBA’s 133rd Annual Convention on May 12 in San Antonio. The award honors bankers with a half century or more of service and dedication to the banking industry.
Nichols is chairman and CEO of Carlile Bancshares Inc. While attending Abilene Christian University in the ’60s, Nichols began his banking career as a part-time bookkeeper at First National Bank – Abilene. Upon graduation, he joined the FDIC as a bank examiner. After leaving the FDIC, he held lender positions in various small banks in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Nichols organized Carlile Bancshares in Fort Worth in 2007
Nichols has served both the banking industry and his community. He served as a board member of the Texas Bankers Association, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the National Kidney Foundation and various nonprofit hospital boards. He was also active in United Way Lubbock.
The Texas Bankers Association is the largest and oldest state bankers association in the nation, forming in 1885.