Spotlight On: Hunter Hill, South Central Regional President, First Horizon Bank

December 2025 — In an interview with Focus:, Hunter Hill, South Central Regional President for First Horizon Bank, discussed the bank’s growth strategy in Alabama and Georgia, emphasizing talent recruitment, technology investments, and community engagement. “Talent is the real differentiator in our industry,” he said.

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What changes across the South Central region have shaped your view of the bank’s role in the local economy?

The biggest changes in the South Central region, which for us includes Alabama and Georgia, have centered on growth in major metro areas. We’ve established a strong presence in places like metro Atlanta and key Alabama markets and are well positioned to capitalize on the growth.

It all starts with people. Our top priority has been recruiting talent in those areas, especially Atlanta, which is by far our largest and most dynamic market in the region. We’re focused on building out a team of commercial, private, and retail bankers who have connectivity to the community and are committed to building long-term relationships with clients.

We’re always focused on raising awareness of our brand. In addition to marketing, we are dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations, encouraging our bankers to serve on local boards, teach financial literacy, and actively engage in organizations and projects they are passionate about.

How would you describe the current tone among business clients, and how has that shifted from a year or two ago?

The economy still feels vibrant. Most of the people we’re talking to feel bullish about the outlook in their industries and in Atlanta overall. The feedback from both current and prospective clients has been overwhelmingly positive.

There’s ongoing growth in the number of people relocating to the area and in the number of businesses expanding or moving in. We’re focusing much of our attention on staying ahead of that growth by telling our story and demonstrating how we can support their expansion in a strong and growing economy.

How does First Horizon approach building client relationships today?

We begin by getting to know each client well. For businesses, we dig into their operations, challenges, and opportunities; and for individuals, we learn about their financial picture and long-term goals.

Once we have that foundation, we create a plan to help them reach those goals, which includes matching our services and products with their needs and expertise from our banking team. Technology plays a key role in that process. Clients today expect faster access to data and more efficient ways to move money. We’re making significant investments in technology to deliver those capabilities.

Security is also a top concern. Whether it’s an individual or a business, cybersecurity matters. We’re committed to safety and security for our clients while also supporting their progress.

What are some examples of your community involvement efforts in Alabama and Georgia?

Community involvement is a major priority for us. We want to be responsible corporate citizens in every market we serve, and that means showing up and engaging with causes that matter locally.

In Atlanta, we support a range of initiatives through our foundation. At the same time, we encourage our team to be hands-on with organizations they care about. Some of our closest partnerships are with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, the Bobby Dodd Institute, and United Way.

These efforts include financial contributions and volunteer time from our associates. And while those are just a few examples, we’re connected to many other groups in the region. Across both Alabama and Georgia, we’re focused on making a positive, lasting impact through community involvement.

How is the bank approaching workforce and leadership development in the markets you serve?

Talent is the differentiator in our industry. We believe that having the best people in the field gives us a competitive edge. That may be true across many sectors, but in banking, where relationships matter, it’s especially crucial.

We want our bankers to understand their markets, stay current on industry trends, and help clients anticipate what’s ahead. Our goal is to be seen as trusted advisors. That can only happen when we have people who know their craft, understand their clients, and are able to provide meaningful advice.

We spend a lot of time recruiting. We meet with many candidates and are highly selective about who we bring onto the team. Once someone joins, they go through rigorous onboarding and continue their development through robust training programs. Every associate participates in this training, no matter how experienced they are. We believe everyone has room to grow.

Successful associates are curious and committed to continuous improvement. Our internal programs are designed to help them do just that.

What fundamentals make Atlanta such a strong place to do business?

Atlanta is one of the most vibrant cities in the country. It has a rich talent pool, a wide range of industries, and strong infrastructure. The airport alone plays a major role in attracting people and companies to the region.

This creates a dynamic environment that aligns well with what First Horizon offers to clients. One of our biggest strengths is our size. Atlanta is home to some of the world’s largest banks, along with many community banks and credit unions. We fall somewhere in the middle.

We have the scale to support businesses of all sizes, and we deliver that support with a hands-on, relationship-based approach. With more people moving in and businesses continuing to grow, Atlanta is a strong, evolving market — and one that we believe is a great fit for our model.

What are your top priorities for the region over the next three to five years?

One of our top priorities is growing our team. Our market share in Atlanta is still relatively small, so we see a lot of opportunity. That includes hiring more bankers and expanding our physical footprint. We’re looking at submarkets within Atlanta where we don’t currently operate but could have a presence in the future.

We’re also continuing to invest in technology. This is critical for the entire industry, and we want to lead in areas like fraud prevention and money movement capabilities. Clients expect fast, secure and efficient service. We’re focused on meeting and exceeding those expectations.

Another key priority is building awareness of our brand. We have a compelling story to tell, and we want to make sure more people hear it. Many people in Atlanta still don’t know who First Horizon is. We’re working to change that by expanding our visibility and reaching more people across the market.

Atlanta is also a key market internally. While my focus is primarily on the client-facing side, including commercial, private, and retail banking, we also have many associates based in Atlanta who support key internal operations across the company. We’ve been able to tap into the local talent base to strengthen these areas, and we plan to continue doing so as the city grows.

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for innovation or long-term industry impact?

The greatest opportunities lie in technology. Across the industry, there’s a strong push to improve digital tools, enhance cybersecurity and reduce fraud. We are investing in these areas to better serve and protect our clients.

Artificial intelligence is another area of focus. We’ve already introduced AI in several parts of the business to improve efficiency and prepare our teams for client meetings. AI also helps us identify client needs and flag potential risks based on money movement and behavioral patterns.

Technology and talent remain at the center of our strategy moving forward. Innovation will drive how we serve our clients, and having the right people in place will ensure that innovation delivers real value.

We also see a clear market opportunity in Atlanta. To take full advantage of that, we need to keep bringing in top talent. Atlanta is an attractive place for professionals, and we’re confident the market will continue to help us grow our team and our business.

Want more? Read the Focus: Atlanta report.