Regions Bank created a franchise lending team led by industry veteran Peter Salas. Salas and his team will focus on helping drive business sustainability and expansion through specialization in franchise concepts.

Salas began his banking career in 1985 at Flagler Federal Savings & Loan in Miami where he worked as a teller. He later joined the bank’s management trainee program and received formal credit training. In 1999, he launched First Union Bank’s bilingual sales call center, where he managed four teams of 80 bankers. He also led an SBA outreach initiative focused on serving minority, veteran and women-owned businesses.

Under Salas’ leadership, Regions’ franchise lending team will focus on developing relationships with franchise owners throughout Regions’ footprint in high-growth markets across the Southeast, Texas and the Midwest. There are franchise concepts in every market Regions serves, ranging from retail outlets to service providers, such as health and wellness locations.

“Regions Bank is committed to the strength and vitality of businesses that support our economy and provide essential jobs and services. Our franchise lending team is a direct complement to the tailored solutions delivered by Regions to a broad range of corporate banking clients,” Ronnie Smith, head of corporate banking at Regions, said. “Further, this addition complements Regions’ acquisition of small-business lender Ascentium Capital in 2020 and the expansion of our small business administration (SBA) lending business. Peter’s experience, vision and leadership are ideally suited for helping Regions expand its range of customized and innovative solutions for business clients, and we are proud to welcome him to our team.”

Regions’ commercial banking, wealth management and consumer banking divisions, Salas and his team work together with the goal of deepening existing business relationships and attracting new clients who can benefit from the bank’s approach to team-based, comprehensive services.

“The depth of Peter’s experience and his commitment to a positive client experience are two key attributes that make him the ideal leader to help Regions further build on its commitment to small-business success,” Nikki Stephenson, head of credit products and small business administration lending at Regions Bank, said. “Our teams serve some of the most vibrant and growing markets in the country. At the same time, we have the experience and insights to work with clients through a variety of opportunities and challenges as they develop a plan for business growth. The addition of Peter and his team is the latest example of Regions’ commitment to help business clients grow and succeed.”