Regions Bank appointed Marcus Hopkins as head of Regions Institutional Services, a division of Regions Wealth Management that oversees a broad range of solutions designed to help organizations manage assets, meet fiduciary responsibilities, support retirement plan participants, advance philanthropic missions and navigate complex financial needs.
Hopkins succeeds Julz Burgess, who will retire at the end of 2026 following more than a decade of leadership and service to Regions.
Hopkins, who joined Regions in 2010 as institutional business development officer, has held a variety of leadership positions across Regions Wealth Management, including serving as a portfolio manager and leading the bank’s institutional portfolio management team. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with institutional clients across the Regions footprint, helping organizations pursue long-term financial goals through disciplined investment strategies and advisory services.
In his new role leading Regions Institutional Services, Hopkins will guide teams across the Southeast, Texas and the Midwest as they work with organizations on tailored solutions, including: retirement plan services, asset management strategies, corporate trust solutions, escrow services, custody and safekeeping services, and philanthropic solutions for nonprofit organizations.
Regions Institutional Services also serves clients through specialized solutions for captive insurance assets, funeral trust services and additional specialized institutional capabilities. In addition, Regions offers a comprehensive suite of banking and lending, wealth management and advisory services designed to help clients build, manage, preserve and transfer wealth. The division serves a diverse client base that includes the following: corporations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, endowments, healthcare systems, municipalities and retirement plan sponsors.
“Marcus is an outstanding leader with deep knowledge of our clients, our markets, our business and our culture,” Bill Ritter, head of Regions Wealth Management, said. “Over the course of his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping clients succeed while building high-performing teams. Marcus understands the opportunities ahead for Regions Institutional Services, and he is exceptionally well positioned to lead this business as we continue investing in growth, expanding capabilities and delivering advice and solutions that matter to our clients.”
Ritter added, “Just as importantly, Marcus appreciates the relationships that are at the heart of this business. Whether we’re serving a nonprofit, a retirement plan sponsor, an institutional investor or a corporate client, our focus is on helping people and organizations achieve their goals. Marcus brings both the experience and the perspectives needed to advance this important work.”
As head of institutional services, Hopkins will help accelerate Regions’ broader wealth management growth strategy while working closely with Regions’ corporate banking and consumer banking businesses to support client acquisition and success.
His appointment comes as Regions continues serving dynamic and growing markets across the Southeast, Texas and the Midwest, where strong economic fundamentals and population growth are creating additional opportunities for businesses, institutions and individuals.
Regions offers a comprehensive suite of banking, wealth management, treasury management, and advisory services designed to help clients build, manage, preserve and transfer wealth.
“Regions has built an exceptional institutional services platform and an experienced team dedicated to serving clients with excellence,” Hopkins said. “I am honored to step into this role and build on the strong foundation that Julz Burgess and our entire institutional services team have created. We have tremendous opportunities as we continue helping organizations manage assets, fulfill their missions, support employees and navigate an evolving financial landscape.”
Burgess joined Regions in 2015 as head of corporate trust and was promoted in 2020 to lead institutional services. During her tenure, the business achieved significant growth, expanded capabilities, strengthened client relationships and enhanced the value delivered across the Regions footprint.
Burgess also served a key role in the development and expansion of Regions’ philanthropic solutions business, helping broaden services for individuals, families, foundations, nonprofits and other mission-driven clients.
“Julz has made a lasting impact on Regions, our associates, and the clients we serve,” Ritter said. “Her leadership, vision and commitment to excellence have strengthened our Institutional Services business and positioned the team for continued success. We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her the very best in retirement.”
