SARASOTA, Fla. – July 14, 2022 – Regions Bank on Thursday announced that Commercial Banking leader and Ft. Myers Market Executive Earnest Wilks has been elevated to lead an expanded territory. In addition to already guiding Commercial Banking teams along the Suncoast and Southwest Florida, Wilks will now also serve as Regions’ market executive for Sarasota, Bradenton, and surrounding communities.
Regions’ market executives ensure collaboration across all business groups of the bank as they deliver a holistic model of service called Regions360. In addition, market executives work with bank associates and community partners to develop and implement community engagement initiatives that create more inclusive prosperity in areas served by the bank.
“Earnest Wilks has been a model pacesetter and an inspiring leader for Regions’ teams serving Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, and surrounding areas. In addition, his leadership and insights have already benefitted our Commercial Banking teams in Sarasota, Bradenton, and beyond,” said John Turner, President and CEO of Regions Bank. “With this added opportunity to serve as our market executive along the Suncoast, Earnest is well positioned to lead teams across all our business groups toward building deeper relationships with the customers and communities we serve. There is no leader better equipped to guide our company’s continued growth in this region.”
Earnest Wilks has been a model pacesetter and an inspiring leader for Regions’ teams serving Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, and surrounding areas.
John Turner, President and CEO of Regions Bank
Through the Regions360 service model, bankers across Regions’ business groups take the time to listen and get to know the unique goals of a diverse range of clients. Then, these bankers collaborate with their colleagues across Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Wealth Management to develop comprehensive and customized solutions to reach those goals.
As he will continue to do in Ft. Myers, Wilks will also work with colleagues and community members on the Suncoast in support of Regions’ key community engagement priorities of advancing economic and community development; supporting education and workforce readiness; and increasing financial wellness.
“Regions is doing great things along the Suncoast – including our most recent community partnership with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and the opening of modern branch facilities in the area,” Wilks said. “The high standard is already set. I look forward to championing the stellar work of my colleagues in Sarasota and beyond as they work to make life and business better in the community.”
The high standard is already set. I look forward to championing the stellar work of my colleagues in Sarasota and beyond as they work to make life and business better in the community.
Earnest Wilks, market executive for Sarasota-Bradenton and Ft. Myers
In the coming weeks, Wilks will build sessions and strategies to set the leadership direction for his newly expanded territory. He says the step is a continuation of the work he has already done in serving Commercial Banking clients along the Suncoast in coordination with other local teams.
“As I meet with clients, Regions colleagues, and community leaders, I see a common vision for doing more to help our entire region grow – and that is exciting,” Wilks said. “I am honored to now play a larger role.”
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.