Michele Byington, Orlando Private Wealth Advisor, Receives Regions Bank’s Top Associate Honor

Regions Bank (NYSE: RF) today announced that Michele Byington is the August 2014 recipient of the Regions Bank Better Life Award. Byington is a private wealth advisor in Orlando, Florida. The Better Life Award is the top honor given to a Regions associate for outstanding dedication and job performance as well as exemplary involvement and commitment to the community.

Michele Byington, a private wealth advisor in Orlando, Florida, is the August 2014 recipient of the Regions Bank Better Life Award. (Photo: Business Wire)

In addition to the recognition, Regions donates $1,000 in the name of the recipient to a charity of the winner’s choice. Byington chose Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, a group dedicated to ending childhood hunger.

Byington chairs Taste of the Nation, an annual fundraiser organized each August by Second Harvest and other anti-poverty groups. Since Byington took the helm in 2013, the event has raised a record $550,000. A video profile of Byington is available on the Regions Financial YouTube channel.

For Byington, community goes beyond her back door in Orlando; it also stretches to places such as the Dominican Republic. That is where Byington often travels with her husband, daughter and son to serve at Jackie’s Place, an orphanage for special-needs children.

“When I went there for the first time seven years ago, it’s just like a key got turned in my heart. I love those kids and what Jackie is doing for them,” Byington said. “Some would have never survived infancy if Jackie hadn’t taken them in. She gives them hope and education. She changes lives there.”

Byington guides groups from across the U.S. on missions to serve at Jackie’s Place. She also recently led a capital campaign that funded the building of a new dormitory at the orphanage.

Byington’s visibility in the Orlando community and dedication to helping her clients grow, manage, and distribute their wealth have led to a loyal following over her 26-year banking career. Many of those clients came with Byington when she joined Regions Bank in 2009.

“Michele embodies what we value in an associate. She takes care of clients and does what is right to take care of the community,” said Tony Stiffler, Central Florida Area President for Regions. “She makes me proud to be a part of this team.”

Byington serves on her church board, as president of her son’s high school band boosters club, and as treasurer of her daughter’s gymnastics club.

About The Better Life Award

The Better Life Award is presented monthly to a Regions associate who lives the company’s mission to make life better for customers, associates and the communities Regions serves, and who is an example of the company’s values:

• Put People First
• Do What Is Right
• Focus On Your Customer
• Reach Higher
• Enjoy Life

Regions associates are nominated for the award by their managers and peers. Regions Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Grayson Hall honors recipients at the company’s headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., at a meeting broadcast live to offices in the 16 states Regions serves. In addition to the recognition, associates who earn the Better Life Award receive an additional week of vacation, a crystal award, and a $1,000 donation is made in their name to the charity of their choice.

About Regions Financial Corporation

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $119 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,700 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140813005583/en/