NEW ORLEANS (July 31, 2023) — Hancock Whitney has named bank senior vice president Liz Hefler as the company’s regional president for Greater New Orleans.
As regional president for the market, Hefler will lead Hancock Whitney’s commercial, middle market, and corporate banking growth and strategy as bankers serve clients and businesses in communities throughout Greater New Orleans.
“Liz Hefler has extensive banking knowledge covering the full spectrum of financial services people and businesses need to succeed,” said Hancock Whitney Bank President Joe Exnicios. “That expertise, combined with her deep understanding of the city and surrounding communities, makes her an excellent choice to lead teams to success going forward.”
Hefler assumes the regional president role August 1, 2023, as Senior Regional President Gary Lorio transitions toward retirement in January 2024.
More about Liz Hefler
A longtime Greater New Orleans resident with her family, Hefler began her banking career in 2004 with then Whitney Bank after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Virginia. Within a year, she became a middle market banker and, over the next nine years, advanced in progressive roles to become a middle market team lead.
In 2015, four years after Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank merged, the bank tapped Hefler to lead an expanded corporate, middle market, and commercial banking team and guide bankers in initiatives that fostered service excellence, client success, community engagement, and economic growth across New Orleans.
“I’m honored and excited to begin this new role as regional president of Greater New Orleans and to build on Hancock Whitney’s record of success in creating opportunities for clients and communities throughout the area,” said Hefler. “I’m fortunate to be able to continue serving clients and communities with an outstanding company, dedicated peers, and a highly competent team of banking professionals.”
Hefler is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. She also received the 2022 Louisiana Young Banker Impact Award from the Louisiana Bankers Association for her many contributions to the state’s banking industry.
She has been an active supporter of and served with numerous community organizations, including The New Orleans Museum of Art, The Louisiana Children’s Museum board, Louisiana Museum Foundation, New Orleans Board of Trade, and Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. She is also a past American Cancer Society Louisiana Belle. Hefler is a financial education advocate facilitating money management programs at Greater New Orleans schools and has served in various board and committee roles at the Stuart Hall School for Boys, Ascension DePaul Services, and Academy of the Sacred Heart, her alma mater.
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