Steve Fisher, a 20-year veteran of Central Florida’s banking industry, joined Truist in 2021 as the area's middle market banking lead and became regional president last September when Sandy Hostetter retired from the position. Fisher talks about his role as “chief integrator” following the 2019 merger of BB&T and SunTrust Bank and subsequent rebranding to Truist:

• Key Objectives: “One of our primary objectives is to provide a distinctive, secure and successful experience through trust, through touch and technology. We look at that as what we refer to as a T-3 approach. One example would be focusing on bringing our advisory platform to light. Whether it’s a startup company, a growth mode or transitioning to the next leadership, for both small and large private companies, we’re able to bring in advice and expertise to the client that otherwise might be overlooked.

What we’re trying to do is make sure that we’re getting in front and having very detailed conversations, very detailed planning processes in place that allow a company to get comfortable with us, how do we provide the capital they need to continue to grow, how do we bring in potential advisory teams to figure out the next steps. Is there an alternative capital that they may require? Is there a company that may be looking for an acquisition? Those type of things that allow us to get it from start to finish. Every business will transition at some point, but we want to be there through the history of the company.”

• Ask an Economist: “We take a balanced approach to interest rate management. Throughout this process, we continue to feel or act as a sounding board for times of growth and volatility. One thing we’re working on, at least here in Central Florida, is implementing a monthly ‘ask the local economist’ virtual meeting that educates our clients and prospects around economic conditions, allows for quick economic overview, a Q&A session for clients and prospects.”
• Finding Victories: "Truist and its legacy banks have got tremendous history here. We routinely talk to clients, or clients who’ve been with one our legacy banks for 50 and 60 years, which brings me tremendous pleasure, but it’s certainly something I don’t take for granted. Every business owner has plenty of options to choose from, and when I’m looking at (the fact that) they’ve decided to join Truist, that’s confirmation we’re doing the right thing, and in my book, that’s a victory. If you talk to my team, I’m a proponent of finding victories, either big or small, on a daily basis. I ask them to find that nugget of victory or good news, because a lot of times, if you look back over a week, you may forget about some of the things that you’ve accomplished. To me, it just brings a great deal of value.” — By Amy Keller

CLIMATE AND COGENT

Climate First Bank: The St. Petersburg bank completed more than $1.3 million in LEED retrofits to its Winter Park branch, adding various sustainable upgrades, including solar panels wrapping the south side of the building and covering the roof.

Cogent Bank: The Orlando-based bank has expanded into jet financing with a new business aviation vertical.