Veteran banking executive retires after 18 years

Another SouthState leader has retired. 

After 18 years in the banking industry, Sarasota Manatee SouthState Bank regional president Brian Hall officially retired Dec. 31. 

"Brian’s leadership in our Sarasota/Manatee region is second to none. We’ve been fortunate to have his wealth of knowledge at our disposal,” Dale Dreyer, SouthState’s Florida state president, says in a release. “We wish Brian and his family the very best as he begins a well-deserved retirement.”

The Winter Haven-based financial services company wasn’t left without a leader. Chris Perkins stepped up into the role after being promoted from area executive in the region. 

The retirement announcement was the second leadership role to come into the spotlight in 2022 after Shaun Merriman, former West Florida division president, retired in May. 

Hall began his career at SouthState in 2017 as a private banking team leader. Before that, he was with Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida for four years. He also previously served as CEO of Sabal Palm Bank, Sarasota, from 2005-13.  

The new leader, Perkins, has been in the industry for 21 years. He joined SouthState in 2017.