Regions Names Chief of New Small Business Unit

Regions Financial (RF) is sharpening its focus on small business.

The Birmingham, Ala., company said late Thursday it has named Joe DiNicolantonio to head a new division that will offer banking, loans and advice to companies with sales up to $20 million.

Regions, which has assets of $121 billion, previously served such customers through its business services group.

DiNicolantonio, who most recently served as Regions' president for western Tennessee, has held a series of posts in small business and consumer banking since joining the company in 1998.

"Small businesses have unique challenges and rely on their bank to help them manage and grow their companies," John Owen, Regions' head of business lines, said in a press release.

David May, who has served as its commercial banking executive for western Tennessee, succeeds DiNicolantonio as president of that region.