First Horizon Bank Taps Local Leader Triplett to Expand Western NC Footprint — First Horizon Corporation (First Horizon Bank)

Event summary

Jason Triplett, Head of Commercial Banking at First Horizon Bank, named Western NC Area President for the Mid-Atlantic Region effective July 1, 2026.
Triplett will report to Laura Bunn, Mid-Atlantic Regional President, and focus on expanding market share in Asheville, Boone, Hickory, and Lenoir.
First Horizon Bank reported $84.1 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026.

The big picture

First Horizon Bank is doubling down on regional growth by leveraging local leadership, a strategy increasingly common among mid-sized banks looking to compete with national players. With $84.1 billion in assets, the bank's focus on community banking and associate engagement reflects broader industry trends toward hyper-localized financial services. The move comes as regional banks face pressure to differentiate themselves through personalized client relationships and deep community involvement.

What we're watching

Regional Strategy: How First Horizon's focus on Western NC will impact its broader Mid-Atlantic expansion efforts.
Community Engagement: Whether Triplett's local ties can translate into tangible market share gains in competitive regional banking markets.
Execution Risk: The pace at which First Horizon can integrate Triplett's leadership while maintaining operational consistency across its 12-state footprint.