Five-year First Home Bank executive Joe James took a position with Springfield First Community Bank, helping fill the gaps left by its president who exited for another job.
James, who worked the last five years as executive vice president in Springfield for the bank owned by Mountain Grove-based First Bancshares Inc. (OTCQB: FBSI), started March 20 as senior vice president at SFC Bank. In his new position, James is in charge of a $30 million to $40 million loan portfolio.
“Mr. Rob Fulp provided me with an opportunity that was very attractive and I couldn’t pass it up,” James said of SFC Bank’s chairman and CEO. “I’ve known Rob for a number of years. We worked together previously at BancorpSouth.”
James said he’s helping SFC Bank after co-founder Brian
Straughan left recently to join First United Bank in Sherman, Texas. Three-year Executive Vice President Monte McNew succeeded Straughan.
“When he resigned, they needed another banker to fill the slot in the lending staff,” James said.
At First Home Bank, James held the No. 2 job in Springfield under President and CEO Brad Weaver. The company’s Queen City branch is located at 1465 E. Sunshine St. James said he didn’t believe First Home had filled his position, noting Weaver is out on vacation this week. Weaver could not be reached for comment by deadline.
At SFC Bank, James joins a company that has over $500 million in assets with a goal of $1 billion in the next three to five years. The company’s 2016 net income was $7 million.
