Coastal States Bank appoints Rhonda Thornton as Chief Retail and Experience Officer
September 9, 2025
Brian Smith as Coastal Regional President, and Jeremy Summerell as Savannah Market President
Coastal States Bank (“CSB”) has announced changes to its senior leadership team. The Bank has appointed Rhonda Thornton as Chief Retail and Experience Officer, unifying its retail operations and branch network across its Lowcountry, Savannah, and Atlanta Regions under her leadership. Rhonda will focus on enhancing the CSB client experience utilizing her expertise in areas such as retail management, customer service, operations, and technology for community, regional, and national banks.
“We’re excited to have Rhonda join CSB to support the next phase of our growth,” said Steve Stone, CSB’s President and CEO. “As we continue to prioritize delivering an exceptional experience to our clients with an emphasis on relationships and service, Rhonda’s expertise will be vital for our company. This addition to our team is especially important as we support other leadership changes at CSB,” he continued.
Diana McDougall, a founding member of the CSB team, has announced that she will be transitioning from her role as Lowcountry Regional President to serve as Community Engagement Officer for the Bank in the Lowcountry.
CSB also has announced that Brian Smith, who has served on the Bank’s executive leadership team for the past seven years as its Savannah Regional President, will assume the role of Coastal Regional President, with oversight of commercial banking in the Bank’s coastal markets of Georgia and South Carolina.
In addition, Jeremy Summerell has joined CSB as Market President of Savannah. Jeremy brings nearly 20 years of experience in banking and finance with a strong record of success in strategic growth, relationship-building, and community-focused service. His deep understanding of the financial services industry and commitment to local business development make him a valuable asset to both the Bank and the clients it serves.
– BUSINESS WIRE
About the Company
Coastal States Bank builds relationships by providing a full range of banking services designed for businesses, their owners, and individuals looking for a local banking partner. CSB has a community banking presence in the Lowcountry of South Carolina (Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort), Savannah, and the Atlanta metro area, and serves communities across the country through its Government Guaranteed Lending, Senior Housing, Marine Lending, and Mortgage Banker Finance lines of business. At present, CSB has approximately $2.2 billion in total assets.
CSB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: COSO).
Coastal States Bank – Local. And Proud of It.®
For additional information regarding Coastal States Bank please visit www.coastalstatesbank.com.
