Regions Bank launched an international subsidiaries banking group, which will focus on delivering financial insights and customized banking services to subsidiaries of international corporations operating in the United States.
Laerte Barros, who joined Regions Bank in 2022 from BBVA, will lead the new team, which will work with the bank’s commercial and corporate banking relationship managers to support business origination and development for U.S.-based subsidiaries.
According to the International Monetary Fund’s coordinated direct investment survey, the United States is one of the largest recipients of foreign direct investments (FDI) in the world, and a significant portion of FDI in the country is in areas where Regions Bank serves business clients. Regions Bank’s international subsidiaries banking group will focus on sectors such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace and petrochemicals.
“Regions Bank has a proud history of serving vibrant markets that have strong connections to international commerce. By leveraging the skills and experience of bankers who understand the business dynamics of these markets, as well as the importance of international finance, we are well positioned to help more U.S.-based subsidiaries of international businesses build sustainable growth,” Ronnie Smith, head of corporate banking for Regions Bank, said. “We know the experience and vision of Laerte and his team will directly complement the services and insights delivered by our commercial banking professionals.”
Collaboration between the international subsidiaries banking group and bankers from Region Bank’s commercial and corporate banking teams, along with the bank’s wealth management and consumer banking divisions, will support Regions360, the bank’s business delivery model that brings financial professionals with a range of specialties together to produce comprehensive banking solutions.
“International companies require specialized products and services that are tailored to their unique business goals and objectives. It takes a specific level of experience to meet the detailed financial needs of these companies and support their long-term success,” Barros said. “That’s exactly the type of experience we are delivering by connecting clients with market-based insights and the strength and resources of our collective team here at Regions. I am proud to lead Regions’ international subsidiaries banking group, and I look forward to building deeper collaborations with our teams as we meet the complex needs of our business clients.”
Barros has worked with international corporations for more than 25 years. Prior to joining Regions Bank, he served as head of BBVA USA’s international commercial banking division. He had direct responsibility for the bank’s international commercial banking portfolio and led efforts to expand the bank’s cross-border business.
In addition to Barros, members of the new international subsidiaries banking group will include Marcus Kim and Christian Louis.
Kim joined Regions Bank after a 17-year career in Asia at Korea Exchange Bank and China Construction Bank. During his time in Asia, Kim served as a corporate and investment banking manager, helping clients with structured and trade finance needs, merger and acquisition support, real estate, and cross-border and international syndication.
Louis has more than 20 years of banking experience, mostly working with international corporations. He joined Regions Bank from BBVA USA, where he served as the eastern region specialist for the bank’s international banking division. Louis has experience working with corporate banking clients in Korea, Bahrain, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic.
