Effective Sept. 1, C. Hunter Westbrook will succeed Dana L. Stonestreet as CEO of HomeTrust Bancshares and continue his leadership of HomeTrust Bank as president and CEO. Stonestreet, who has been with HomeTrust for 33 years and served as chairman and CEO since 2013, will become the executive chairman of the company and bank. Westbrook’s promotion is the culmination of an ongoing succession plan that Stonestreet has coordinated with HomeTrust’s board of directors in preparation for his future retirement.

“Hunter’s commercial banking expertise, vision for strategic growth and proactive leadership have been integral in the transformation of HomeTrust into a leading regional commercial bank,” Stonestreet said. “During his tenure, HomeTrust has grown from $1.5 billion to $3.5 billion in assets, from three lines of business to 10 and has expanded geographically from western North Carolina into Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina while establishing a strong commercial presence in key high-growth metropolitan markets across our four states. It has been a pleasure to work with Hunter the past 10 years. And I am grateful to pass the torch to such a qualified and proven leader. The future is bright for HomeTrust employees, customers, communities and shareholders under Hunter’s leadership.”

Westbrook’s tenure with HomeTrust began in June 2012 as senior vice president and chief banking officer of the company and the bank. Westbrook was then promoted to senior executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2018, president and chief operating officer of the bank in 2020 and president, CEO and director of the bank in September 2021.

“I am honored by the confidence that Dana and the board have placed in me, and I am enthusiastic about leading the bank’s continued growth and success as a full-service commercial bank,” Westbrook said. “HomeTrust remains focused on increasing shareholder value by achieving high performing financial results as a growing regional community bank. Over the past year, we have demonstrated results through the implementation of our profitability improvement and balance sheet restructuring plan. At the same time, we have streamlined and enhanced processes for an improved employee and customer experience. I look forward to a bright future for HomeTrust and our shareholders as I work alongside our dedicated employees and board to serve our customers and communities.”

Westbrook is a 30-year banking veteran who served as president and CEO of two community banks before joining HomeTrust. Westbrook also worked for nearly 20 years in various senior level positions with TCF Bank and its parent company, TCF Financial.