Sarasota-Manatee banker named local lender for Georgia banking giant

Ugur "Lucky" Durmaz, a commercial banking executive in the region for nearly a decade, has been named to a commercial lending leadership position in Bradenton for Georgia financial services giant Ameris Bank. 

Durmaz will report to Market President Bill Lutes, according to a statement. Ameris Bank, with more than $25.8 billion in assets, is a unit of Atlanta-based Ameris Bancorp. 

“Lucky/Ugur has a track record of excellence and will be a great addition to the team,” Lutes says in the release. “He knows the community well, which will enable him to build strong relationships and help his customers meet their business objectives.”

Prior to joining Ameris, Durmaz spent seven years in market leadership and commercial banking roles, including stints at BB&T and later Truist. He was based in the Tampa-St. Pete and Sarasota-Bradenton markets for those roles. He was also a senior vice president for commercial banking at ServisFirst Bank, according to his LinkedIn profile. 

Durmaz holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from Canakkale 18 Mart University in his native Turkey, the release states. 

“I am thrilled to be part of this great organization,” Durmaz says in the release. “Ameris Bank truly believes in making the communities better by offering tailored financial solutions that fit specific needs.”

Ameris Bank operates 164 financial centers across the Southeast, and serves consumer and business customers nationwide through select lending channels.