Southern Bank, the Mount Olive-based community bank that opened a loan production office in Wilmington in 2016, recently announced leadership changes.

Paul McCombie, who has led the bank’s Wilmington team for a decade, is moving into the role of regional executive, overseeing both Wilmington and Raleigh.

“Paul brings considerable market expertise and leadership qualities that will be invaluable in his new role,” said Taylor Harrell, president of Southern Bank, in a news release. “We look forward to all that this region will continue to accomplish under his leadership.”

Leon Pruzan (pictured at right) has been promoted to commercial market executive, leading the commercial lending team in Wilmington. Pruzan has 33 years of experience in banking, including the past 10 with Southern Bank. According to a Southern Bank LinkedIn post, "Leon brings deep expertise in commercial relationship management and a longstanding commitment to the Wilmington community."

The bank's Wilmington office, which became a full-service branch in 2019, is located at 6752 Rock Spring Road in the Mayfaire area off Military Cutoff Road.

The 125-year-old Southern Bank offers a “very high-touch, concierge level of banking service,” Harrell said in a recent interview.

Harrell described the influence Wilmington has had on Southern Bank’s trajectory.

"Over the past 10 years, Wilmington has been a very important market to us, contributing significantly to the growth and success that our bank has enjoyed over the last decade and under Paul's leadership,” Harrell said. “That growth has not only been loans and deposits, but more importantly, relationships with customers and communities."

He also said, "We look forward to continuing to grow our team in both Wilmington and Raleigh."