BB&T names Keith to lead new North & Central Florida Region

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., June 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- BB&T today announced it will combine its North Florida and Central Florida Regions into a new North & Central Florida Region. Scott Keith, who currently serves as president of the North Florida Region, has been named president of the new region, which will have headquarters in Jacksonville and Orlando. Tony Coley, who currently serves as president of the Central Florida Region, has been named president of BB&T's South Florida Region. The combination and management changes will be effective July 1, 2016.

"Scott has demonstrated excellent leadership in North Florida that has led to the strong performance of the region," said Ricky Brown, president of Branch Banking &Trust. "His corporate banking expertise, proven results and significant commitment to the community make him the ideal choice for an expanded role as president of our new North & Central Florida Region." According to Brown, the strategic decision to combine the two regions will result in increased flexibility, additional client resources and greater growth potential.

Keith, 51, has 29 years of banking experience in North Florida and has served as a relationship manager, corporate banking manager, and commercial line of business manager with several financial institutions. He joined BB&T in 2005 as market president in Jacksonville and was promoted to regional president of the North Florida Region in 2010.

"I am thrilled to have this expanded role and opportunity to connect with our great team in Central Florida," Keith said. "Our combined strengths will position BB&T with elevated client service and significant growth opportunities. Market presidents Chris Rolle in Orlando and Debbie Buckland in Jacksonville have already provided significant leadership and will continue to strengthen our presence in these strategic markets."

Keith currently serves as a director of the Florida Bankers Association executive committee and serves as Tier III chairman. He is a member of The Players Council of The Players Championship, a trustee and past chairman of Gator Bowl Sports, and a member of the South Jacksonville Rotary Club. He served as a board member of Wolfson Children's Hospital where he chaired its Development Council, is a past chairman of the Board of Governors for the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, and past chair of JAXUSA, the economic development arm of JAXChamber. Keith earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Florida State University.

Coley, 42, has nearly 20 years of banking experience with several institutions in Florida. He joined BB&T in 2009 through its acquisition of Colonial Bank, where he was president and CEO of Colonial Bank's Southeast Florida Commercial Banking Division. He served as BB&T's market president of Broward County and was promoted to regional president of the Central Florida Region in 2012.

BB&T operates 326 financial centers in Florida and divides its footprint into autonomous community bank regions – each with its own president – to keep decisions local and close to the customer.

About BB&T
BB&T is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with approximately $212.4 billion in assets and market capitalization of approximately $26.0 billion as of March 31, 2016. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the company operates 2,263 financial centers in 15 states and Washington, D.C., and offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage and insurance products and services. A Fortune 500 company, BB&T is consistently recognized for outstanding client satisfaction by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Greenwich Associates and others. BB&T has also been named one of the World's Strongest Banks by Bloomberg Markets Magazine, one of the top three in the U.S. and in the top 15 globally. More information about BB&T and its full line of products and services is available at BBT.com.  

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SOURCE BB&T Corporation