Regions names new leader of private wealth management

Regions Bank's high-net-worth wealth management unit has a new boss.

Kate Randall Danella, an executive recruited in 2015 to motivate the bank's wealth management business groups to work together, succeeds Anne Copeland, who left Regions to pursue executive coaching opportunities, the bank announced on Tuesday.

As head of Private Wealth Management, Danella will lead a team of professionals providing banking, trust and investment management services to affluent and high-net-worth individuals and families, the bank said.

Danella joined Regions in July 2015 as wealth strategy and effectiveness executive, a role that involved developing and implementing business strategies across Regions Private Wealth Management, Regions Institutional Services, Regions Investment Services and Regions Insurance, the four divisions that make up Regions Wealth Management.

"Since joining Regions, Kate has worked extensively across our wealth management business groups and bank partners to identify new and innovative ways we can serve our clients and help them continue to build, protect and preserve their wealth," Bill Ritter, head of Regions Wealth Management, said in a statement. "Kate's strong background in wealth management, investment management and strategic planning will position us well to continue expanding our business throughout the markets Regions serves."

Prior to joining Regions, Danella was with investment management company Capital Group, where she served in a variety of business development roles, including strategy and business manager for the American Funds mutual fund business. She joined Capital Group's management training program in September 2001, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Danella's predecessor, Copeland, joined Regions in April 2012 as the bank underwent a major reorganization of the wealth management business. She joined as leader of strategy and client solutions and was promoted eight months later to head of Private Wealth Management.

Regions praised Copeland for her role in integrating the company's legacy personal trust and private banking businesses into the rebranded Private Wealth Management group.

"Anne has made many significant contributions to the Wealth Management Group, and she has laid the foundation for continued success in the years to come. We are truly grateful for all that Anne has helped Regions accomplish throughout her time with the company," Ritter said in a statement.

Regions Wealth Management posted $106 million in first-quarter revenue, up 8.2% year-over-year, according to the bank's earnings results released in April. Revenue from investment management and trust services, however, fell 2% to $50 million from $51 million a year ago.

"We have a highly skilled and experienced Private Wealth Management team that is passionate about serving our clients," Danella said in a statement. "I look forward to working even more closely with our team to bring more of Regions' comprehensive services and financial insights to benefit our clients."