MidSouth Bank adds Austin market president

Greg Barr^[1]

Managing Editor- Austin Business Journal

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.^[2]

MidSouth Bank NA has beefed up its executive ranks in several Texas markets, including naming John Wattinger^[3] as city president in Austin, as the Lafayette, La.-based financial services player looks to expand market share.

Wattinger, who has opened an office at 7000 MoPac Expressway, will oversee MidSouth Bank's operations in Central Texas. The Austin native, who has almost three decades of banking experience, most recently worked for Capital One^[4] Bank as a senior loan officer.

"This job offer allowed me to relocate back to Austin after 26 years in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to help grow MidSouth Bank's ideas and community philosophy that fit perfectly in the Central Texas market," Wattinger said in a statement.

In addition to hiring Wattinger, MidSouth said it had added Gary Junek^[5], as city president in Houston, and Lee Hertel^[6] as a vice president and commercial lender in Fort Worth, part of the Dallas-area metroplex.

"This is a competitive banking and employment environment, and we have devoted considerable time and resources to this state and will continue to hire talented bankers who have spent their careers building relationships here," said MidSouth Bank Chief Banking Officer Troy Cloutier^[7] in a statement.

Cloutier added that Texas' overall economy, particularly its job growth, sales tax collections and construction permits, is the envy of the country.

MidSouth Bank is the banking arm of MidSouth Bancorp Inc. (NYSE: MSL), with total assets of $1.9 billion.

Greg Barr is managing editor of Austin Business Journal, responsible for day-to-day digital and print coverage.

References

1. ^{^} Greg Barr (feeds.bizjournals.com)
2. ^{^} This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (feeds.bizjournals.com)
3. ^{^} John Wattinger (feeds.bizjournals.com)
4. ^{^} Capital One (www.bizjournals.com)
5. ^{^} Gary Junek (feeds.bizjournals.com)
6. ^{^} Lee Hertel (feeds.bizjournals.com)
7. ^{^} Troy Cloutier (feeds.bizjournals.com)