Johnnie Wright, Senior Vice President, Pensacola Market Leader
PENSACOLA, FL – September 19, 2013 – SmartBank, a subsidiary of SmartFinancial, Inc., has expanded and moved into a full-service office in the downtown Pensacola area. The Bank has hired Johnnie Wright, an industry veteran with more than 24 years of commercial lending and business development experience, as Senior Vice President and Market Leader.
Wright’s appointment in Pensacola is part of recent strategic growth moves made by SmartBank to solidify its presence in the Panhandle. The Bank’s acquisition of GulfSouth Private Bank in 2012 paved the way for SmartBank to expand its market in the Northwest Florida region which includes branches in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. In addition, SmartBank recently opened a Loan Production Office in Panama City.
“We are excited about the opportunity to serve clients in the Pensacola market and beyond,” said SmartBank President and CEO, Billy Carroll. “Building a foundation with strong leadership and forward thinking has been integral to the success of SmartBank. I am confident in the team we’ve put together and with Johnnie’s leadership and expertise in this market, SmartBank will be able to expand its sophisticated banking services to a brand new and broader client base.”
Before joining SmartBank, Wright was the Pensacola Market President for Hancock Bank. He will lead a team of knowledgeable and successful bankers from the Pensacola area with an experience in community banking, commercial and consumer lending and business banking services.
SmartBank is a full service bank offering a unique balance of exceptional products and a service-focused environment. SmartBank, with assets over $475 million, opened its first office in January 2007 in Pigeon Forge, TN and now serves clients in 8 locations across Northwest Florida and East Tennessee. SmartBank’s results during its first 6 years are proving the execution of a successful plan to create a better bank. Recruiting the best people, delivering client service with excellence, strategic branching and a conservative and disciplined approach to lending have all given rise to SmartBank’s success. For more about SmartBank, visit www.smartbank.net.