News Summary
First Citizens Bank has appointed Justin Rice and JP Connell as Area Executives for South Carolina and Georgia, respectively. This decision aims to strengthen the bank’s presence in the Southern coastal economy and enhance service to clients. Both executives bring extensive experience and community involvement to their roles, with Rice overseeing the Lowcountry region and Connell responsible for Charleston. Their leadership is expected to contribute positively to the bank’s growth and the region’s finances.
Columbia, SC — First Citizens Bank has announced the appointment of Justin Rice and JP Connell as Area Executives in South Carolina and Georgia, respectively. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the bank’s focus on growth in the Southern coastal economy and addressing clients’ financial challenges effectively.
Justin Rice will take charge of the South Carolina Lowcountry region, as well as overseeing Savannah, Georgia. JP Connell will be responsible for the Charleston, South Carolina region and its surroundings. Both executives will manage business, commercial, and branch banking operations while leading teams to serve clients in their designated areas.
Shan Teel, the South Regional Executive Vice President for First Citizens Bank, emphasized that strong community ties are essential for the new leaders as they work to bolster the bank’s presence in the region.
Rice has an extensive background with First Citizens Bank, having joined the organization in 2006. He has dedicated nearly 20 years to the Lowcountry market and was appointed as the Market Executive for the area in 2015, supervising four branches. His community involvement includes serving as the Chairman of the University of South Carolina Education Foundation, as well as being a board member for the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and the Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity. Justin Rice graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
JP Connell began his career with First Citizens Bank in 2018 in Denver, Colorado. He has held several roles within the organization, including serving as a national sales team leader for the bank’s cannabis banking business and working as the Business Banking Manager for the Southern Coastal area. Connell earned his MBA from the Kenan Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina in 2022, and he is also an alumnus of the University of South Carolina.
First Citizens Bank operates 17 branches along with Business, Commercial, and Wealth teams in the Charleston and Lowcountry areas. Having been present in South Carolina for over 75 years, the bank currently employs around 1,000 associates and maintains more than 100 branches statewide. First Citizens Bank offers a wide array of banking services, including personal, business, commercial, and wealth management services.
Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. ranks among the top 20 U.S. financial institutions, with over $200 billion in assets and presence in the Fortune 500. With its commitment to building financial strength that lasts, First Citizens Bank seeks to provide comprehensive solutions tailored to meet the needs of its clients.
The appointments of Justin Rice and JP Connell signal First Citizens Bank’s ongoing dedication to community involvement and a responsive approach to the evolving financial landscape in South Carolina and Georgia. As they step into these leadership roles, both executives are poised to make significant contributions to the bank’s mission and the regional economy.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Banking
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