New Chairman For Alabama National in Merger's Wake

Alabama National Bancorp., Birmingham, has named John H. Holcomb 3d as chairman and chief executive, succeeding founder James A. Taylor, who resigned.

Mr. Holcomb had been president and chief operating officer of the company. He remains president and chief executive of its National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham.

National's parent, National Commerce Corp., merged with Alabama National at yearend. The latter was nominally the acquirer, but National Commerce became the controlling entity.

Victor E. Nichol Jr., who was executive vice president of Alabama National, has succeeded Mr. Holcomb as its president and chief operating officer. Mr. Nichol joined National Bank of Commerce in 1994 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Before that he worked 23 years at Amsouth Bancorp, rising to senior executive vice president and head of corporate banking.

Mr. Taylor, Alabama National's ex-chairman, laid its foundation in 1981 with the purchase of First National Bank of Ashland. After buying three more banks, he formed the holding company and became its chairman. That company bought two banks and a thrift in the years through 1993.