Southern Bancorp names Jeremy Loftin COO

Jeremy Loftin is Southern Bancorp Inc.'s new chief operating officer.

Following its acquisition of Legacy Bank & Trust Co. earlier this month, Little Rock, Arkansas-based Southern Bancorp Inc. this week named Jeremy Loftin its new chief operating officer.

Loftin will serve as dual COO of both Southern Bancorp and Legacy Bank & Trust until the conversion and integration of Legacy Bank & Trust into the combined organization, planned for the last quarter of this year, according to a news release. Loftin served as Legacy Bank & Trust COO since 2019.

“Jeremy’s appointment to COO comes at a critical time for Southern Bancorp as we work to integrate Legacy Bank & Trust into our organization and prepare for the most significant growth phase in our organization’s history. Jeremy is the perfect person to help lead us through these milestones,” said Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp Inc., in the release. “His proven track record of operational excellence, people-focused leadership, and purpose-driven results will be instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition for Legacy’s staff and customers later this year, as well as for the long-term growth and impact of our mission.”

Loftin brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience to the position, including expertise in trust administration, investment management and operational governance, according to the release. Prior to his time at Legacy Bank & Trust, Loftin served as chief administrative officer for Missouri Trust & Investment Co.

“Jeremy has been an invaluable part of Legacy Bank & Trust for many years, and we are proud to see him take on this expanded role,” said John Everett, CEO of Legacy Bank & Trust, in the release. “His dedication, expertise, and commitment to our customers have been second to none, and we are grateful for his service and leadership as he helps guide our organization into the future.”

In his new role with Southern Bancorp, Loftin will oversee Southern Bancorp’s enterprise operations and lead operations integration efforts currently underway at organizations ahead of the Q4 conversion.

“I am honored to join Southern Bancorp’s leadership team and help advance its unique mission of creating economic opportunity for everyone in the communities we serve,” said Loftin in the release. “I look forward to combining our incredible teams and working together to make an even greater difference for families and businesses across our footprint.”

Loftin said there are no immediate plans for him to move out of the area with the new role.

The COO role was previously held by Vance Smiley, according to the release. A longtime leader at Southern Bancorp, Smiley in 2023 agreed to step away from his role as chief innovation officer and into a newly created COO role to establish its job functions and lead Southern Bancorp operations during the search for a long-term candidate. Smiley is to remain at Southern Bancorp, returning his focus to advancing the bank through technology and innovation.