Regions creates new governance leadership post

Hope Mehlman

Regions Financial Corporation has created a new position of chief governance officer and appointed Hope Mehlman to the role.

Mehlman will report directly to Fournier Gale, general counsel for the Birmingham, Alabama-based company. She will advise the board of directors and executive management on corporate governance best practices, assess and monitor the company’s corporate governance framework, and serve as a liaison to external stakeholders, including institutional stockholders, regarding corporate governance matters.

Since joining Regions in 2006, Mehlman has served as assistant general counsel and assistant corporate secretary, as well as senior compliance manager. She will continue to be assistant corporate secretary. Before joining the company, she was a partner in the banking and financial services group of law firm Adams and Reese.

‘Strong corporate governance is foundational to a sustainable business, and designating a chief governance officer further solidifies our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in corporate governance and integrity to benefit customers, associates, shareholders and communities,’ Gale says in a statement.

‘Hope brings a unique background in law, compliance and corporate governance to this important position, and we are pleased to have an individual of her caliber leading our efforts to strengthen and refine our corporate governance practices.’

Regions is a provider of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage and insurance products and services. According to the company, it has more than $126 billion in assets, serves customers across the US South, Mid-West and Texas and through its subsidiary Regions Bank operates roughly 1,500 banking offices and 1,900 ATMs.