Chattanooga banking veteran Mark Stewart has joined Truist Financial Corp., as the Chattanooga market president for the second biggest bank in the city.
Stewart, a 35-year banker who previously worked as an executive and commercial lender for Bank of America, Synovus, Cornerstone and First Tennessee banks in Chattanooga, fills the job previously held by J.V. Vaughn, who retired as Truist's market president in Chattanooga at the end of last year.
"We couldn't be more pleased to welcome Mark to the Truist team," Johnny Moore, Tennessee regional president for Truist, said in an announcement of Stewart's appointment. "He brings invaluable banking experience to the Chattanooga market with over three decades in the industry, and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes through his work with Truist clients within the community."
Moore said Truist operates under a community banking model with decision making close to the communities it serves. Market presidents lead a local team to provide a diverse mix of services, including business banking, commercial banking, middle market banking, not-for-profit/government banking and regional commercial real estate clients.
Stewart is a graduate of the University of Alabama and is also a certified treasury professional. Prior to working in Chattanooga, Stewart worked as a vice president at the former SunTrust Bank in West Palm Beach, Florida.
SunTrust merged with BB&T Bank in 2019 to form Truist Bank, which reported $2.4 billion of bank deposits in the Chattanooga area last year.
Truist currently operates 17 offices in the Chattanooga metropolitan area. Among the 29 commercial banks in metro Chattanooga, only First Horizon Bank with $2.8 billion in deposits is bigger than Truist in the local market.
Beyond his career at Truist, Stewart is involved with United Way, the Executive Circle of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, International Business Council for the chamber, Rotary Club and other civic organizations.
-- Compiled by Dave Flessner