JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – June 1, 2022 – Regions Bank on Wednesday announced Jared Opalinski has been elevated to serve as the company’s market executive and Commercial Banking leader in Jacksonville and the First Coast.
Opalinski succeeds Jim Branch as market executive. Branch will serve as Regions’ mortgage production manager covering an expanded territory including both Jacksonville and additional communities throughout the northeastern portion of the state.
These new leadership appointments reflect Regions’ commitment to leveraging collaboration across its business groups to reach a client base that includes major employers, small businesses, homeowners, and additional consumers throughout this vibrant and growing area. In addition, Branch will increase Regions’ focus on broadening mortgage services to underserved consumers, complementing the bank’s commitment to create more inclusive prosperity.
“Regions Bank is committed to serving the people and businesses of Jacksonville, and the experience and insights of Jared Opalinski and Jim Branch will help us write a new chapter of growth in this community,” said John Turner, President and CEO of Regions Financial Corp. “As market executive, Jared will lead the collaboration of our banking departments in meeting clients’ needs with customized financial solutions. Jim’s experience in our Mortgage division will help us connect more people with valuable tools to become homeowners and achieve the American dream in Northeast Florida. We are excited to build on our momentum along the First Coast, and we know Jared and Jim are the ideal leaders to help us introduce the Regions brand of superior service to more customers.”
Regions Bank is committed to serving the people and businesses of Jacksonville, and the experience and insights of Jared Opalinski and Jim Branch will help us write a new chapter of growth in this community.
John Turner, President and CEO of Regions Financial Corp
Opalinski will work with leaders from across Regions’ business groups to help their teams deliver Regions360, the bank’s comprehensive approach to meeting customers’ needs. Through Regions360, bankers get to know the unique goals of clients and collaborate with their colleagues in Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management to develop more holistic solutions to reach those goals.
“Regions Bank sets itself apart by how our bankers from all departments work in consultation with each other, rather than in silos, to deliver a deeper level of service to individual consumers, business clients, and investment clients,” said Opalinski. “The growth in Jacksonville over the last several years has been significant, and the influx of people into the area creates tremendous opportunities for our teams to work more closely than ever before to connect with clients and provide a more personalized banking experience. Together, we will further differentiate Regions as we create more financial solutions for our clients.”
Those solutions include products and services that businesses and customers need, want, and understand. Further, Regions’ focus is not simply on business growth – but also more inclusive growth in Jacksonville and beyond. From community engagement to banking services, Opalinski and Branch will focus on ways to help more people take part in the First Coast’s success. For Branch, that means helping more people own their home – creating greater generational wealth and more equitable prosperity.
Together, we will further differentiate Regions as we create more financial solutions for our clients.
Jared Opalinski, market executive and Commercial Banking leader in Jacksonville
“The housing market in Jacksonville is booming after two record-breaking years. My goal is to help open the door to homeownership to more people,” said Branch. “For our communities to truly succeed, we need to ensure all people have the opportunity to take part in that success. My role will include not only leading mortgage services across Northeast Florida – but also taking a very intentional focus toward reaching underserved consumers with financial services that create more homeownership opportunities for more people. I look forward to working together with Jared and our teams throughout the area to move that strategy forward.”
Opalinski will also work with Branch and others to identify opportunities for Regions to advance its key priorities for community engagement. Those priorities include financial wellness; education and workforce readiness; and economic and community development.
Opalinski most recently served Regions as a commercial credit leader based in Atlanta. Throughout his banking career – in places including Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina – Opalinski has served as a volunteer for Family Promise, a national nonprofit that organizes community-based responses to help homeless families find housing solutions and avoid needing emergency shelter. He plans to support Family Promise programs in Jacksonville.
“Since I was born, I’ve always had ties to Jacksonville through family, work, and the pull of the gorgeous surroundings. This is always where we wanted to be,” said Opalinski. “Now that I’m here, I’m thrilled at the opportunity to lead in life, business, and community in a place I’ve always wanted to call home.”
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $164 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 1,300 banking offices and more than 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.