HOUSTON-Southwest Bancorporation of Texas Inc. is agreeing to purchase Citizens Bankers Inc. of Houston for approximately $130 million. The merger, if approved by regulators and shareholders, will close in the fourth quarter or early 2001.

HOUSTON-High oil prices mean a comeback of oil and gas executives to the city's ritziest neighborhood. Since Jan. 1, the oil barons have been the leading purchasers of estate homes, a dominance that hasn't been seen since the energy downturn.

AUSTIN-Chat technology is being implemented into SiteStuff.com's portfolio of services. The e-procurement solutions firm for the commercial real estate industry will open appropriate pages for potential customers and provide instant price quotes.

AUSTIN-Northwest Austin has lured another high-tech company into its midst, with Advent Networks Inc. signing for 23,304 sf of office space at the Great Hills Plaza. Location and an available talent pool motivated the signing.

AUSTIN-The Kernel Group, an enterprise software solutions provider based in Austin, is receiving about $3.8 million in venture capital from Reston, VA-based Updata Venture Partners. The funding will go to further product development, marketing and sales.

FT. WORTH-A 207,600-sf office project, two years in the making, is on its way to reality for developer Ed Bass, whose infusion of capital into the downtown CBD has made it a worthy opponent of neighboring Dallas.

McALLEN, TX-Hilton Hotels Corp. has opened the 104-room Hilton Garden Inn McAllen, bringing the chain to more than 80 locations. More than 200 Hilton Garden Inns are expected to open by year's end.

HOUSTON-Weingarten Realty Investors of Houston has named a new vice president of property management. Lois Robinson will assume responsibility for the operation of the REIT's entire portfolio, which encompasses 14 states.