Regions taps insider as director of strategy

Regions Financial in Birmingham, Ala., has promoted an insider to become its new director of strategy and corporate development. 

The $161 billion-asset company said in a press release that Tom Speir will report to David Turner, its chief financial officer. He succeeded Nikki Stephenson, who recently was named head of credit products.

Speir will be responsible for Regions’ M&A strategy and oversee the bank’s Small Business Investment Company and strategic equity investment programs. 

Speir previously served as assistant treasurer and head of balance sheet management at Regions. He was at Wachovia Bank before joining Regions in 2009. 

Speir "has a deep understanding of the competitive financial services marketplace, and he brings an analytical, customer-focused approach to large-scale initiatives," Turner said in the release. "He and his team will focus on the products and services that are in greatest demand throughout our footprint.”

Regions has completed a number of acquisitions recently, buying EnerBank, Sabal Capital Partners and Clearsight Advisors.