VantageSouth Bank Welcomes New Faces Across Footprint
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) September 04, 2013 -- Steady growth combined with a solid commitment to success has positioned VantageSouth Bank (NASDAQ: VSB) as the employer of choice for many financial professionals throughout the Tar Heel State. Recently, the bank announced the arrival of three new executives who transition with high levels of industry knowledge and deep-rooted market familiarity. Blake Coules, named Chief Credit Officer, will office out of the Triangle while Greg Steele and Stuart Bell will serve as Market Presidents in the eastern region of the state.
Blake Coules, former Chief Data Officer with PNC Bank, brings with him proficiency in the areas of analytical and innovative problem solving paired with over 20 years in Risk Management, Commercial and Corporate Banking products. As Chief Credit Officer, Coules will oversee the bank’s credit culture to assure sound and profitable loan growth in alignment with established strategic objectives. A graduate of the University of Toronto and Executive MBA Program at the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School of Business, Coules resides in Raleigh with his wife, Brenda, and currently sits on the boards of Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina and the Carolina Hurricanes’ Kids ‘N Communities Foundation.
Joining the bank with over 24 years of experience in the financial arena, Greg Steele will oversee business development and lead a team of commercial bankers throughout Greenville in his new role as Market President. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with VantageSouth, and I am looking forward to continuing my work with the commercial clients in our community as we seek to grow and expand our brand,” said Steele. The University of New Hampshire alumnus and former Commercial Relationship Officer with Trust Atlantic Bank enjoys giving back to the community where he works and volunteering his time to Vidant Medical Foundation Planned Giving Advisory Council and J.H. Rose Athletic Foundation. Steele and his wife, Jane – along with their children, Matt, Emily and Drew – have resided in the Greenville area for the past 15 years.
“We are delighted that Greg is joining our team,” said Jim Rose, Eastern Region President. “Greenville is a key strategic market for VantageSouth, and Greg has a history of providing solutions for commercial clients in Eastern North Carolina as well as actively supporting the community.”
Stuart Bell, who most recently served as Executive Vice President and Commercial Banker with OBX Bank, joins the Outer Banks commercial team as Market President, where he will combine his extensive familiarity of Dare County with more than 30 years in the business banking sector. “I am thrilled to join the VantageSouth Bank team, and I am excited about what this partnership will mean to my clients and the Outer Banks community,” said Bell. “VantageSouth is building a strong reputation throughout the eastern part of the state, and I’m proud to be affiliated with a bank so committed to both its customers and employees.” Bell, whose primary focus will include business development and business banking, received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from North Carolina State University, going on to graduate from the NC School of Banking at UNC Chapel Hill. Bell currently resides in Kitty Hawk with wife Stacy and two sons, Quentin and Grayson, serves as Chair of the Outer Banks Hospital Development Council and is a member of the Vidant Hospital Foundation Board.
“Stuart is known as an all-star commercial relationship banker in the Outer Banks, and we are extremely privileged to welcome him aboard our team,” said Steve Jones, VantageSouth President. “VantageSouth continues to partner with high quality talent – and Stuart is no exception.”
VantageSouth Bank is a state-chartered bank operating 46 banking centers from the central Piedmont to the coast of North Carolina. The common stock of VantageSouth Bancshares, Inc., which is headquartered in Raleigh and wholly owns VantageSouth Bank, is listed on the NYSE MKT where it trades under the symbol VSB. For more information about VantageSouth Bank, visit http://www.VantageSouth.com.
Kendal Wilson, VantageSouth Bank, http://www.vantagesouth.com, +1 919.659.9024, [email protected]
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