- Key insight: Regions combined its commercial card sales and product/operations teams under Jay Darnell, a rehire for the bank.
- What's at stake: The bank is focusing on deposit upgrades and treasury management services for commercial clients as it seeks to organically grow in market share amid stiff competition in the Southeast.
- Forward look: Regions plans to open between 135 to 150 branches over the next several years and expand its commercial payments options.
Regions Financial is expanding its commercial payments leadership as the Alabama-based regional bank accelerates its branch refresh plans.
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Regions Bank announced on Monday that Jay Darnell has rejoined the company to serve as its head of commercial card and fintech enablement. Darnell will lead teams delivering commercial card and B2B payment services.
"Regions continues to grow by focusing on innovation and client satisfaction," Darnell said in a statement. "We're committed to expanding efficient, secure payment solutions for businesses of all sizes."
Regions Bank announced the hiring of Darnell amid a core deposit platform upgrade slated for completion in 2027 and an expansion plan in the bank's native Southeast region that includes a bank branch "refresh initiative."
Regions plans to open between 135 to 150 branches in cities such as Atlanta, Miami and Nashville, according to remarks from chairman and CEO John Turner at an industry conference last week. Turner also said that Regions is currently focusing on organic growth over M&A.
According to a Regions representative, the position that Darnell is filling is a newly created role that combines the commercial card sales and product/operations teams. Darnell will run both teams and report to Regions Bank's head of treasury management Bryan Ford.
"Jay Darnell's deep experience in fintech enablement, commercial cards and leading successful teams will help us build on our legacy of service," Ford said. "Further, he knows the Regions culture and our approach to relationship banking."
Previously, Darnell originally worked for Regions in its B2B payment partnerships department from 2014 to 2019.
Darnell officially started in his new role at Regions Bank in October 2025, according to a company representative. He returned to the bank from a fintech and commercial card sales role at Veritex Community Bank, a Dallas-based community bank acquired by Huntington Bank in October.
"I am so grateful for the experience, relationships and mentorship from my time at Veritex and as they merge with Huntington Bank, I wish all of them the best," Darnell said in a LinkedIn post.
Before his time at Veritex, Darnell also worked for Visa in its B2B fintech partnerships division.
