United Bank recently named Leland resident Marshall Cooper as regional president of its southern region, encompassing parts of North and South Carolina, according to a news release.

In the role, Cooper will direct and oversee the day-to-day banking activities, client relationships and business development of the six markets. They include the bank’s Wilmington and Brunswick County markets and all South Carolina locations – Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Columbia and Greenville.

Cooper has more than 20 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry, most recently serving as market president for United’s Wilmington market. He joined the bank through CresCom as part of United’s 2020 acquisition of its parent company, Carolina Financial Corp., where he was senior vice president and Wilmington market executive, according to the release. Prior to CresCom, he held leadership roles at Coastal Federal Bank and Bank of America.

Henry Kayes, executive vice president and chief operating officer of United Bank, stated in the release, “Marshall’s experience, performance and leadership approach as the former Wilmington market president proved he was a perfect fit for this job.”

A North Carolina native, Cooper graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and played baseball for the Seahawks, according to the release.

Cooper has served in various leadership and consultative roles in the community, including on the executive board of the UNCW Seahawk Club and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Finance Committee. He and his wife, Kelly, reside in Leland with their family. They enjoy traveling, oyster roasts and sports, especially supporting the Seahawks.