LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Jan. 11, 2021 – Regions Bank on Monday announced the retirement of Little Rock banking veteran Lynn Wright. Rodney Abston, commercial banking leader for Regions in Central Arkansas, suceeds Wright as market executive serving Little Rock and surrounding communities.
Wright held key leadership roles for Regions and its predecessor banks in Arkansas for 36 years. During his tenure, the bank grew relationships with medium- and large-sized business clients, modernized and updated its branch footprint, and established and supported community partnerships throughout the state.
“Lynn Wright is a dedicated leader whose passion for advancing Arkansas’ economic growth while investing in community organizations has made a real and tangible difference,” said John Turner, President and CEO of Regions Financial Corp. “Regions has established a legacy of devoted client service and community engagement in Little Rock. Lynn Wright has played a key role in building that foundation of service, and I know our commitment to Little Rock will continue to grow under Rodney Abston’s leadership.”
As market executive, Abston will work with Regions leaders across all banking departments to focus their teams on implementing Regions360, the bank’s comprehensive approach to meeting customers’ needs.
Through Regions360, the company’s bankers learn the unique goals of clients and collaborate with colleagues from Regions’ various departments – including Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking and Private Wealth Management – to develop holistic solutions.
In addition, Abston will work with colleagues and community members to identify opportunities for the bank to make a meaningful difference through volunteer service, nonprofit support, delivering financial education, and more. Abston will also continue leading Regions’ Commercial Banking teams in Central Arkansas as they serve and support business clients.
“Regions Bank has built a reputation of being a trusted resource and valued partner in working with the people and businesses of Little Rock to help them reach their financial goals,” said Abston. “Lynn Wright is a highly respected business and community leader through his longtime service to Regions and to nonprofit and civic organizations. I am honored to follow in his footsteps and build on the foundation he established as we build on the bank’s legacy of serving and uplifting customers and communities in Arkansas.”
Abston is a financial services industry veteran of nearly 30 years. He joined Regions in 2007 as a credit process manager and moved to the Commercial Banking team in 2008 as a relationship manager. Prior to Regions, Abston was employed at Nuvell Financial Services; Stephens, Inc. and Worthen Investments and Worthen Bank. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Finance specialty from Texas Tech University and obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas Little Rock.
Abston also graduated from Vanderbilt University’s Client Advisor Program and has achieved a Certified Treasury Professional designation. He has been recognized as a Regions Chairman’s Club Award recipient honoring the company’s top 10% of performers and was recognized as the bank’s Little Rock sales leader for three years.
Abston’s volunteerism includes board service with Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas and membership on the Central Arkansas Executive Association. He is a graduate of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class XXVII.
During Wright’s service at Regions, he led the bank’s regional Commercial Banking group in Little Rock. Wright also actively served on many boards to help advance the Little Rock community. They include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, where he serves as board treasurer, and the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, where he’s part of the executive committee. Wright also serves on the Arkansas Bankers Association board and is a member of Fifty for the Future, a community leadership group working for the betterment of the Little Rock area.
“My career at Regions has provided me with incredible opportunities to work alongside business and community leaders to elevate Little Rock’s presence and expand its economic possibilities for all of our neighbors,” said Wright. “I’m deeply grateful for this experience, as well as for all of the connections I’ve made during my 36 years of serving our banking clients. It’s been a privilege to support them. I know that Rodney Abston will do an outstanding job in writing the next chapter as I retire and he takes on this new role.”
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $145 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,400 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.