Businesses that supply construction materials, building products, and packaging often need financing to expand or keep daily operations running.

Regions Bank has created a specialized team to help those companies meet those needs.

The bank announced Oct. 7 that its new Materials and Infrastructure Group will provide financial advice, financing and banking services to manufacturers and distributors in those industries.

The team will help businesses fund major investments, acquire other companies and cover day-to-day operating expenses. It expands Regions’ Specialized Industries Group, which works with businesses in specific sectors.

Ryan Franco will lead the new group, bringing experience working with industrial manufacturing and construction companies. He said changing financial needs and consolidation — when businesses combine or buy other companies — are shaping the industries the team will serve.

“Companies across the materials and infrastructure economy are navigating a period of significant change, from continued industry consolidation to evolving capital needs and investments in long-term growth,” said Franco.

“Our approach at Regions brings together industry experience with the breadth of Regions’ financial capabilities, enabling us to fully support clients’ business needs and deliver solutions designed around their strategic priorities. I am honored to be part of this next chapter of growth within our Specialized Industries Group.”

The group will focus on five areas: heavy equipment, construction materials and aggregates; building products; corrugated packaging; can, glass and metal packaging; and specialty materials.

Franco joined Regions in 2019 as part of its Diversified Industries Group, where he worked with clients in industrial manufacturing and construction. Before that, he spent 10 years with Wells Fargo Securities in industrial corporate and investment banking roles.

He will report to Leo Loughead, head of Regions’ Specialized Industries Group.

“The Materials and Infrastructure Group is an important expansion of our Corporate Banking solutions, further enabling Regions to provide holistic, industry-specific support to clients,” Loughead said.

Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas. Loughead said the new group builds on the bank’s work with businesses in the industries it will serve.

“Building on our service to these industries is a natural extension of our growth strategy at Regions Bank,” Loughead concluded. “We’re operating in high-growth, business-friendly markets across the Southeast, Texas and beyond – and we’re ready to leverage our experience to help clients maximize their own growth and meet the needs of expanding industry throughout our footprint.”

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].