#USA #Small Business #SouthState Bank #Winter Haven #Private Wealth

SouthState Bank Strengthens Teams

SouthState Bank has recently announced significant developments within its Private Wealth, Small Business, and Commercial Banking divisions. These changes come in the form of strategic promotions and new hires, with a clear focus on improving service delivery for their clients. Richard Murray, the president of SouthState, emphasized the commitment to providing essential resources for small business and wealth clients, ensuring their long-term success and financial security.

Key Promotions and New Hires

Prominent among the promotions is Joseph Brice, who has transitioned from his role as a regional area manager to become the Small Business Banking Group Leader for the Northern Group. His extensive experience with SouthState, dating back to 2013, positions him well to lead this essential segment. Similarly, Rob Pregnolato has been appointed as the Small Business Banking Group Leader for the Southern Group, further demonstrating SouthState's internal talent development strategy.

Adding to the team's expertise, SouthState has onboarded several talented small business bankers:

• - Peter Bevel in Birmingham, Alabama, previously a branch manager at SouthState, brings a wealth of retail banking experience.
• - Andrew Leech, from Daytona, Florida, has held multiple banking roles over 29 years and is dedicated to enhancing client experiences.
• - Tanesha Thrash, based in LaGrange, Georgia, joined SouthState in 2016 and has developed strong relationships with both individual and business clients.
• - Christy Truitt in Auburn, Alabama, comes with 25 years of varied banking experience and has already joined SouthState as a branch manager.

In addition to the small business segment, SouthState has welcomed new advisors to the Private Wealth division:

• - Will Barlow from Atlanta, GA, and April Croasmun from Jacksonville, FL, each bring over 20 years of experience in wealth management, ensuring a high level of service for high-net-worth clients.
• - Jennifer Thompson in Hilton Head, SC, and Steven Wickline in Charleston, SC, also join the team, rounding out a group of professionals equipped to handle comprehensive wealth management strategies.

Focus on Commercial Banking

The Commercial Banking team has also expanded, aiming to bring further depth to SouthState's service offerings. Among the new hires is Lauren Ervin, a commercial relationship manager in Jacksonville, with over two decades of financial services experience and strong ties to the community. Matt Mehr joins from Leyline Renewable Capital as a private capital solutions relationship manager, and Douglas Tuttle, a seasoned banker with extensive experience, will serve as a commercial relationship manager in Athens, GA.

SouthState Corporation, trading on the NYSE under the symbol SSB, is headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida. With its national chartered bank subsidiary, SouthState Bank, the company provides a comprehensive range of financial solutions including consumer, commercial, mortgage, and wealth management services, catering to over 1.5 million customers.

Conclusion

As the bank continues to grow and enhance its service capabilities, these strategic team expansions position SouthState to meet the evolving needs of its clients effectively. By promoting from within and attracting new talent, SouthState is building a strong foundation to support its mission of long-term client success.