Simmons Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Simmons First National, added Jim Recer as executive vice president, commercial regional executive.
In this role, Recer will lead Simmons’ commercial and industrial (C&I) banking strategy across Texas, Nashville, Kansas City and St. Louis, with a focus on expanding the bank’s middle-market commercial business and strengthening its presence in key growth markets.
“Jim is a highly respected leader with a proven track record of recruiting talent and developing high-performing teams,” Jonathan Schneider, president of commercial banking at Simmons Bank, said. “His experience across multiple commercial, corporate and specialty banking verticals is complemented by a disciplined approach to risk management and makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. Jim’s experience also aligns well with our strategic growth initiative to expand our middle market capabilities and enhance our client solutions. His leadership will be instrumental in accelerating sustainable, organic growth. We are excited to welcome him and look forward to the impact he will have on our clients, associates and the communities we serve, as well as his role in further strengthening and building our team.”
Recer brings more than 30 years of banking and financial services experience, including a significant portion of his career in Texas, where he has held multiple executive leadership roles. He began his career at Bank of America, advancing to group executive focused on delivering banking and investment banking solutions to middle-market companies. He later spent 13 years at BBVA Compass as senior managing director, providing integrated financial services to U.S.-based clients and serving in key leadership positions, including Houston market president, South Texas region executive and director of asset recovery management and solutions.
Recer also served as executive managing director of specialty banking at Texas Capital Bank, chief banking officer at Veritex Bank and most recently North Texas president at Texas Regional Bank, where he led company-wide initiatives to improve speed-to-market in credit and loan closing while improving production and talent acquisition.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and has completed advanced executive and risk management programs through leading institutions, including The Wharton School and BBVA’s international leadership programs in Spain.
