Longtime Truist leader brings extensive banking experience and deep ties to the region
RICHMOND, V.A., [Nov. 10, 2026] – Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) today announced Phillip Avant has been named regional president for the Virginias, which includes Virginia and West Virginia. A longtime Truist leader based in Richmond, Avant brings 27 years of experience with the company and a broad background spanning commercial banking, specialized industries and capital markets.
In his new role, Avant will lead Truist’s regional commercial banking strategy across the Virginias, with a focus on strengthening client relationships, driving growth and supporting teammates and communities throughout the region.
“Virginia and West Virginia are meaningful markets for Truist, with long-established, strong client relationships across the region,” said Kerry Jessani, head of Commercial and Corporate Banking. “With Phillip in this role, we’ll continue building on that foundation as we work to make Truist the most important financial partner to the businesses we serve across the Virginias.”
Avant has led Truist’s Senior Care Banking team for the past five years, overseeing a national team serving nonprofit continuing care retirement communities, for-profit senior living communities, and skilled nursing organizations. In that role, he has helped bring together Truist’s banking, payments, wealth and capital markets capabilities to serve clients across the senior living industry.
“Phillip is an experienced, strategic leader who understands our clients, our teams and the opportunities across the Virginias,” said Jodie Hughes, head of Commercial Banking at Truist. “His deep relationships in Virginia, broad expertise and ability to bring together the full capabilities of Truist position him well to build on our momentum and deliver even greater value for clients and communities.”
Previously, Avant spent five years as Greater Virginia region president, leading teams serving middle market, commercial and nonprofit clients across the region. Earlier in his career, he led the bank’s regional Derivatives Solutions Group, covering commercial banking and wealth clients.
“Virginia has been central to my career and my connection to Truist, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the Virginias,” said Avant. “We have talented teammates and strong client relationships across Virginia and West Virginia, and I look forward to working alongside our teams to bring together our local knowledge, industry expertise and the full capabilities of Truist to help our clients achieve their goals.”
Active in the Richmond community, Avant has served with United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, Greater Richmond Partnership, and the VCU Finance Advisory Council. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Vanderbilt University.
Truist Commercial and Corporate Banking combines the capabilities of a full-service financial institution with deep industry expertise and a relationship- and community-based model rooted in more than 150 years of history. Clients have access to sophisticated capital markets capabilities, specialized industry knowledge and the strength of a top-10 U.S. commercial bank, delivered through relationships focused on understanding their businesses, industries and communities.
About Truist
Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist has leading market share in many of the high-growth markets in the U.S. and offers a wide range of products and services through wholesale and consumer businesses, including consumer and small business banking, commercial and corporate banking, investment banking and capital markets, wealth management, payments, and specialized lending businesses. Truist is a top-10 commercial bank with total assets of $554 billion as of Sept 30, 2026. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at Truist.com.