After 43 years in banking, BankSouth Atlanta Market President Michael Leonard will retire on September 11, concluding a career that has spanned decades of change in the banking industry while remaining grounded in relationships, service, and trust.

Leonard began his banking career in 1983, working part-time while attending Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida. Since then, he has worked in nearly every area of banking, including consumer and retail banking, small business and commercial lending, mortgage lending, merchant services, branch management, and market leadership.

Banking technology has changed considerably along the way. Leonard recently put the span of his career into perspective by noting that he has gone from seeing the introduction of the fax machine to generative AI today.

What hasn’t changed is his approach to banking

Throughout his career, Leonard has built relationships by being accessible, responsive, and following through for his customers. That commitment has been especially evident during his eight years with BankSouth, where he has served as Market President for the Atlanta market and worked closely with BankSouth Mortgage to help customers navigate their financial needs.

“Michael represents relationship banking at its very best,” said Harold Reynolds, CEO of BankSouth. “His experience and knowledge are tremendous, but what has made him such an effective banker and leader is the trust he builds with people. Our customers know that when Michael tells them he is going to do something, he will follow through, and our team knows they can count on that same commitment. We are grateful for the leadership Michael has provided to BankSouth and our Atlanta market over the past eight years, and we congratulate him on an extraordinary 43-year career.”

Leonard is a graduate of the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He has also shared his experience beyond the bank, including mentoring and providing financial education to high school students in the metro Atlanta area through Community Sustainability Enterprise and its Youth Trees Atlanta program.

As Leonard heads into retirement, BankSouth congratulates him on an extraordinary 43-year career and thanks him for eight years of leadership, service, and commitment to BankSouth, its customers and the Atlanta community.