Regions Financial Corp. Appoints Thom Smith as Private Wealth Regional Executive

Thom Smith's appointment is a significant step in Regions Bank's strategy to bolster its Private Wealth Management division. With over 30 years of experience in private banking and wealth management, Smith has a proven track record in leading high-performing teams and implementing growth initiatives tailored to the needs of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.

As the Private Wealth regional executive, Smith will oversee a range of services designed to meet the complex financial needs of clients, including:

These services aim to help clients build and preserve wealth, plan for retirement, navigate complex financial decisions, and align their financial strategies with personal and business goals.

Smith will lead the expansion of Regions Private Wealth Management’s teams across major markets in the Southeastern U.S., including:

This strategic focus aligns with growing population trends, business formations, and generational wealth transfers in these areas, all of which are driving increased demand for consultative wealth management services.

Smith's leadership aligns with Regions Bank’s Regions360 strategy, which integrates consumer banking, commercial banking, and wealth management to provide holistic, client-focused financial solutions. He will collaborate closely with other market leaders within the bank to ensure a unified approach to growth across all business lines.

Leslie Carter-Prall, Head of Regions Private Wealth Management, expressed enthusiasm about Smith's appointment, stating, “Thom is a seasoned, well-respected leader with a strong track record of building high-performing teams, executing growth strategies, and making life better for high-net-worth clients and their families.”

In his own words, Smith remarked, “After many years in the industry, the opportunity to join a company like Regions, with its strong reputation, collaborative culture, and commitment to client service, was incredibly compelling.”

Regions Private Wealth Management serves a diverse range of clients, including:

The bank has noted an increase in client engagement due to rising concerns around retirement readiness, generational wealth transfer, and philanthropic goals.

Before joining Regions Bank, Thom Smith served as managing director at Fifth Third Private Bank, leading an integrated private banking team across various states. His extensive background includes nearly two decades at Truist and BB&T, where he held the position of senior vice president and regional wealth managing director.

Regions Bank’s Private Wealth Management division has received accolades for its commitment to excellence, having been recognized for the second consecutive year by Global Private Banker for Best Trust Services by a Private Bank and Best Wealth Planning Execution. Additionally, Regions’ Institutional Services division was named to the National Association of Plan Advisors’ (NAPA) Top Defined Contribution Advisor Teams list, highlighting the bank's commitment to providing exceptional retirement plan advisory services.

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF) is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services, managing $161 billion in assets. Operating more than 1,200 banking offices and over 1,750 ATMs across the South, Midwest, and Texas, Regions Bank continues to focus on delivering innovative financial solutions to its clients.

Thom Smith's appointment signals a robust commitment from Regions Bank to enhance its wealth management services and cater to the growing demand for financial advisory services in the Southeastern U.S. As the region's economic landscape continues to evolve, Smith's leadership is poised to drive thoughtful growth and deepen client relationships.