WASHINGTON, N.C., Feb. 9,
2017 /PRNewswire/ -- First South Bank ("Bank"), a
wholly-owned banking subsidiary of First South Bancorp, Inc.
("Company") (NASDAQ: FSBK), is pleased to announce that
John Okerson has been
selected as the new Director of Leasing for the Bank's subsidiary,
First South Leasing. John Okerson will succeed the leadership
responsibilities at First South Leasing after current Director,
Donnie Bunn, retires in May 2017.
In recruiting a Director of First South Leasing, the Bank
desired a leader with extensive experience in the equipment
financing arena and someone who understands the needs and concerns
of small business owners. Prior to joining First South
Leasing, John spent twelve years at Siemens Financial Services,
Inc. in Malvern, PA where he
provided equipment financing solutions for businesses in industrial
production, healthcare and energy. John has bank sales
experience from his time working as a Commercial Relationship
Manager for two financial institutions in northeastern United States. Additionally, John has
experience as an entrepreneur. Bruce
Elder, President and CEO of the Bank, said, "We are
fortunate to have attracted a person with John's experience and
background to direct the sales and operations functions at First
South Leasing. Under John's leadership, we expect to see
greater growth penetration in existing markets and new equipment
types."
The Bank looks forward to John bringing his experience in lease
negotiation and financing solutions to the customers of eastern and
central North Carolina. We
view this as an opportunity to strengthen the business communities
of our footprint by expanding the offerings of First South
Leasing. These businesses drive economic growth and
development, and the Bank strives to serve as a partner to their
success.
"I am excited to join First South Bank as Leasing Director,"
said John. "I have been in banking and leasing for most of my
career; and I look forward to the challenge of expanding the value
First South Leasing can offer by tailoring valuable solutions to
the specific needs of business owners of eastern and central
North Carolina."
John recently moved to Washington, North
Carolina from Phoenixville,
Pennsylvania. He is setting down roots in Washington and has already begun to engage in
community organizations and activities.
First South Bank has been serving the citizens of eastern and
central North Carolina since 1902
and offers a variety of financial products and services to business
and individual customers. The Bank operates through its main office
headquartered in Washington,
North Carolina, and currently has
30 full service branch offices located throughout eastern and
central North Carolina. The Bank also provides a full menu of
leasing services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, First South
Leasing. In addition, under its First South Wealth Management
division, the Bank makes securities brokerage services available
through an affiliation with an independent broker/dealer.
Additional First South Bancorp investor information may be
accessed on our website at www.firstsouthnc.com.
The Company's common stock symbol as traded on the NASDAQ Global
Select Market is "FSBK".
Statements contained in this release, which are not historical
facts, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual results to differ materially from those
currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include the
effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and
monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, the risks of
changes in interest rates, the effects of competition, and
including without limitation other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially as discussed in documents filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to
time. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to
update these forward-looking statements, except as required by
law.
NASDAQ: FSBK
For More Information Contact:
Nikki Klapp | Marketing & Sales
Coordinator
nikki.klapp@firstsouthnc.com
Direct: 252.940.4918
Website: www.firstsouthnc.com
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SOURCE First South Bank