Little Rock, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution, has announced Seun Aiyese as its Head of Retail, a new role that will be integral for the expansion of its mission and impact in new and existing markets throughout the South.
“Seun has years of experience driving growth and customer service objectives for financial institutions across the country, and we are excited that he has joined our team and our mission,” said John T. Olaimey, President of Southern Bancorp Bank. “Seun’s leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow and expand our impact in underserved communities throughout the Mid-South and beyond.”
Aiyese brings more than two decades of experience in financial retail leadership to his new position with Southern Bancorp. Most recently, he was the Chief Operating Officer for First City Credit Union, an 85-year-old financial institution based out of Los Angeles, Calif., and before that was the Head of Retail Banking for Affinity Federal Credit Union, a $4 billion institution serving the Northeast United States. He has also served as the Senior Vice President, Head of Branch Network and Member Experience for GEICO Federal Credit Union, as well as in several roles for Wachovia/Wells Fargo & Company, first as Wealth Management Private Banker and ultimately as Regional Bank President.
In his new role as Head of Retail at Southern Bancorp, Aiyese will oversee CDFI’s retail operations, including branch strategies, ATM Network, customer service, branch administration, branch expansions, and retail sales teams.
“It’s an honor to join the Southern Bancorp team and to be part of such an impactful, mission-driven organization,” said Seun Aiyese. “A large portion of my career has centered around leveraging innovation and development alongside expansive growth and enhanced customer experiences for all geographies to possess a financial well-being of choice. I look forward to the opportunity to do more of this work in support of the Southern Bancorp mission, which is to ensure all people in all places have access to economic opportunity, no matter the zip code or financial position.”
Aiyese is a graduate of Metro State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management. He earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership at Bethel University, and has also completed several executive education programs, including at Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford in England, Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management in Ithaca, NY, and University of Virginia Darden School of Business in Charlottesville, VA.
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About Southern Bancorp
Founded in 1986 by some of the nation’s leading political, business, and philanthropic leaders with an initial investment of $10 million, Southern Bancorp, Inc., along with its development partners – Southern Bancorp Bank and Southern Bancorp Community Partners – has grown into a $2.6 billion asset organization with 56 locations serving 65,000 customers across two states. Southern Bancorp has a unique array of financial products and services designed to help individuals at all stages of life’s financial journey – from teaching kids how to save to helping entrepreneurs and families realize the American Dream. Southern Bancorp is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, certified B-Corp, and proud member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. Learn more at www.BankSouthern.com and www.SouthernPartners.org.