Hattiesburg, Miss. — Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has promoted Cory Whittington to City President of its Hattiesburg market.
“Cory has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of our mission and a genuine commitment to helping our customers and our community succeed,” said Jason Giachelli, Division President for Southern Bancorp. “His experience, leadership, and strong ties to the community will help us continue to support the families and businesses of Hattiesburg with our mission-focused style of banking for many years to come.”
Whittington brings more than 20 years of experience in banking, lending, credit administration, and risk management to his new role. He began his career as an Assistant Vice President with The First Bank in Hattiesburg in 2004, later joining Centra Sunbelt Federal Credit Union as an Underwriting Manager and Senior Underwriter in 2014. Whittington joined the Southern Bancorp mission in 2020 as a Senior Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer in Hattiesburg, and since then has played a key role in supporting business customers and strengthening the bank’s presence across South Mississippi.
In his new role as City President, Whittington will oversee all lending operations in its Hattiesburg market, as well as lead market strategy and community engagement efforts.
“Southern Bancorp’s focus on expanding access to financial opportunity is something I’m proud to be a part of,” said Whittington. “I look forward to continuing to serve the Hattiesburg community and working alongside our team to support the economic goals and financial futures of our neighbors.”
Originally from Natchez, Miss., Whittington moved to Hattiesburg after graduating high school and has called the area home ever since. He earned his Associate of Business Administration from Jones College in 2004 and is a 2022 graduate of Vanderbilt University’s Southeastern School of Commercial Lending.
He and his wife, Adrienne, a speech-language pathologist with Hattiesburg Clinic Connections, have been married for 18 years and have three children. Their family are active members of the local community and of St. Fabian Catholic Church, where he currently serves on the finance committee.
About Southern Bancorp, Inc.
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, Legacy Bank & Trust, and Southern Bancorp Community Partners – has grown into a $4.7 billion asset organization with 66 locations serving customers throughout the South and Central United 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.
