Investor reaction to the proposed $8.6 billion deal has been sour, with both banks' share prices falling more than 11% as of Friday afternoon. The response appeared to reflect the market's distaste for mergers of equals and the risks associated with crossing the $100 billion-asset threshold.

The two Southeast banks agreed to combine in a transaction valued at $8.6 billion. Synovus CEO Kevin Blair would be chief executive of the combined bank, but a slim majority of board members would come from Pinnacle.

The Columbus, Georgia-based bank is working with a financial adviser and has recently held merger talks with at least one rival, people familiar with the matter said.

Wolverton is in her third year leading consumer banking and brand experience at the Columbus, Georgia, bank. The $60 billion-asset Synovus is Georgia's largest bank.    

The Georgia-based bank recorded a $257 million hit after unloading a bundle of securities that it expects to redeploy into higher-yielding assets. It also forecast a resumption of loan growth in the second half of the year.

Katherine Weislogel's career began by being in the right place at the right time.

Charge-offs and nonperforming loans rose at the Georgia bank in the first quarter. But it blamed the problem on one large client and said the matter has been resolved.