# Lynn Harton

> Lynn Harton is the Greenville-based chairman, chief executive officer and president of United Community Banks, Inc., and chairman and CEO of United Community Bank. His banking career began at BB&T in 1983 and includes credit leadership, The South Financial Group’s sale to TD Bank, and United Community’s expansion across the Southeast.

- **Role:** Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President at United Community Banks, Inc.; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at United Community Bank
- **Organizations:** United Community Banks, Inc., United Community Bank, The South Financial Group, TD Bank, Regions Financial Corporation, Union Planters Corporation, BB&T, Wake Forest University, Peace Center, Greenville County Museum Association
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree, Wake Forest University
- **Known for:** Led The South Financial Group through capital raising, its sale to TD Bank and subsequent integration., Helped develop United Community’s Greenville executive presence and regional expansion., Recipient of South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto in March 2022.

## Career timeline

- **1983-2003** — Held executive roles at BB&T.
- **2003-2007** — Served as chief credit officer at Union Planters and Regions.
- **2007** — Joined The South Financial Group as chief risk and chief credit officer; arrived in Greenville.
- **2008** — Named interim president and CEO of The South Financial Group in November.
- **2009-2010** — Served as president and CEO of The South Financial Group; negotiated its sale to TD Bank.
- **2010-2012** — Served as executive vice president and head of commercial banking, South, at TD Bank.
- **2012** — Joined United Community as chief operating officer.
- **2015** — Named president and elected to the company and bank boards.
- **2017** — Named CEO of United Community Bank.
- **2018** — Succeeded Jimmy Tallent as CEO of United Community Banks, Inc.
- **2019** — Named chairman of the company and bank boards.
- **2022** — Received the Order of the Palmetto.
- **2024** — Named a South Carolina Business Hall of Fame laureate.
- **2026** — Received the Greenville Chamber’s Buck Mickel Leadership Award.

## Achievements

- Led The South Financial Group through capital raising, its sale to TD Bank and subsequent integration.
- Helped develop United Community’s Greenville executive presence and regional expansion.
- Recipient of South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto in March 2022.
- South Carolina Business Hall of Fame laureate, 2024.
- Greenville Chamber Buck Mickel Leadership Award recipient, February 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — On October 20, discussed third-quarter results following the Peach State acquisition, Navitas sale and securities restructuring; United reported a $139.7 million GAAP net loss and $93.7 million operating net income.
- **2026-09** — United completed the sale of Navitas to funds managed by Wafra for approximately $2.0 billion in cash.
- **2026-08** — Welcomed the Peach State Bank team and announced incoming CFO Tom Speir, whose start date was September 8.
- **2026-02** — Received the Greenville Chamber’s Buck Mickel Leadership Award.

## Links

- Website: https://www.ucbi.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/h-lynn-harton

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lynn-harton
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23