Regions Bank’s point-of-sale consumer home improvement lending business has a new leader.
Michael Menk, a 25-year veteran of the company, assumed the role July 22 with the retirement of Charlie Knadler, who had led the EnerBank business that Regions acquired in October 2021.
“As EnerBank’s HR business partner, I’ve been heavily involved in the integration and been impressed at the commitment to serve customers – whether that’s the contractors who offer the loans or the borrowers using the financing to improve their homes,” Menk said.
I’m excited about the opportunity to now play a more active role realizing the synergies and opportunities that exist within this team and across Regions to further improve the contractor and borrower experience and diversify and grow our business as we become Regions Home Improvement Financing later this year.
Michael Menk, Regions Bank’s point-of-sale consumer home improvement lending business leader
“I’m excited about the opportunity to now play a more active role realizing the synergies and opportunities that exist within this team and across Regions to further improve the contractor and borrower experience and diversify and grow our business as we become Regions Home Improvement Financing later this year.”
Before relocating to Birmingham, Alabama, in 2016 to manage Regions’ Business Loan Center and then serving as a Commercial Banking Strategy executive before becoming Consumer Banking’s HR business partner in 2019, Menk led geography-based teams as a Consumer Banking Executive, Commercial Banking Executive, and Business Banking Executive in North Florida and South Alabama.
He joined Regions in 1999 as a Commercial Banking relationship manager in Panama City, Florida. After earning a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of West Florida in 1994, Menk began his banking career in 1995 as a teller for a predecessor of Truist Bank.
Michael’s proven success building strong, engaged teams and as an advocate for Regions’ customers, associates and our Regions360 culture of teamwork and collaboration will be great assets as we seek to deepen relationships with homeowners, become their premier home lender and build confidence through homeownership and the many advantages it brings.
Kate Danella, head of Consumer Banking
Becoming a premier lender to homeowners
In his new role, Menk will report to Kate Danella, head of Consumer Banking.
Consumer Banking’s three business groups are Regions Mortgage, Retail Banking and Regions EnerBank.
“Michael’s proven success building strong, engaged teams and as an advocate for Regions’ customers, associates and our Regions360 culture of teamwork and collaboration will be great assets as we seek to deepen relationships with homeowners, become their premier home lender and build confidence through homeownership and the many advantages it brings,” Danella said.
After starting his career in financial services in 1994 as a sales associate with Household Finance, Knadler moved into banking in 2000 when he served as an assistant vice president in Compliance for Merrick Bank. He joined EnerBank in 2004 as Chief Credit Officer, was promoted to Chief Financial Officer six years later, and has served as President and CEO since 2016.
Regions EnerBank makes home improvement loans to homeowners through a network of independent home improvement contractors and program sponsor relationships with manufacturers, distributors, franchisors, major retailers of home improvement and remodeling, and others in the industry.
Since Knadler joined EnerBank in 2004, the company has grown from 38 associates and $30 million in loans to more than 400 associates and more than $5 billion in loans.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished together and the growth of our business but am most proud about the way our people have grown,” Knadler said. “It’s been great to see their career and personal growth and to have been a part of that.
“Under Michael’s leadership, I know we will continue to grow, integrate into Regions, and be successful.”
I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished together and the growth of our business but am most proud about the way our people have grown. It’s been great to see their career and personal growth and to have been a part of that.
Charlie Knadler, President and CEO of EnerBank
Community commitment
Like Knadler, Menk has a long history of community service. For the past three years, he’s served on the Board of Directors for the Birmingham chapter of the American Red Cross. He’s also coached teams for the Vestavia Hills Recreational Softball organization since 2019.
Before his relocation to Birmingham, Menk served in leadership roles for United Way in Mobile, Alabama, and Panama City, Florida and held board positions with the Bay County (FL) Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Panama City Northside, the March of Dimes, Junior Achievement, the Florida Afterschool Network, the Bay Medical Center Foundation, and the Foundation for Florida State University – Panama City Campus.
“In a lot of ways, I feel like this opportunity combines the customer-facing and business support work I have enjoyed the most into one role working with an outstanding team serving incredible customers and communities,” he said. “I’m ready to get started and excited about the future.”