Pinnacle Financial Partners Adds Legal Banking Specialty to Expand Services for Law Firms and Attorneys

Four financial services veterans have joined Pinnacle Financial Partners, bringing specialized expertise to serve large corporate law firms, personal injury firms and legal-adjacent companies across the Southeast and major U.S. markets. These seasoned bankers are serving clients now:

• Ben Hunter, managing director of legal specialty in Atlanta, GA
• Ximena Brito, financial advisor based in McLean, VA
• Wendy Inge,financial advisor based in Richmond, VA
• Eric Reynolds, financial advisor based in Atlanta, GA

They allow Pinnacle to offer tailored services to the legal industry, reinforcing the firm's commitment to meeting all client needs and growing its industry sophistication. With their expertise, Pinnacle will serve the banking needs of large legal clients, including managing finances for law firms and serving the private banking needs of attorneys and staff. The group also provides settlement administrative services, including trust administration and deferred compensation strategies for trial firms and injured plaintiffs.

"We're honored these associates chose to bring their specialized expertise to Pinnacle," Pinnacle's Atlanta President Rob Garcia said. "All four know the legal sector inside and out, and their knowledge will help us serve better the unique banking needs of this industry. Their track record of excellent service and strong relationships makes them a perfect fit for the firm and will help us build a significant presence in this new frontier for Pinnacle."

Hunter is the managing director and head of legal specialty. He brings 20 years of industry experience to the firm. He most recently served at Truist, where he was the managing director of legal specialty. He also served as senior vice president and senior client advisor of legal specialty and first vice president of the commercial banking group. Previously, Hunter served at Wachovia Bank as a senior financial specialist and senior small business specialist. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and holds various certificates and professional licenses, including a certificate from Harvard Business/Harvard Law in financial analysis and valuations. He is securities and insurance licensed and chairs the investment committee of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.

Brito brings 20 years of experience to her role as financial advisor. She joins the firm from Truist, where she served as a senior vice president and legal specialty client advisor. Prior to Truist, Brito served at CitiBank as a vice president for Citi Private Bank Law Firm Group. She earned her bachelor's from Catholic University of America and is fully securities and insurance licensed.

Inge brings 30 years of legal industry experience, including 10 years of direct financial services experience to her role as a financial advisor. She most recently served as senior vice president and legal specialty client advisor at Truist. Prior to banking, Inge worked in the professional liability insurance industry for 20 years, focusing on liability insurance and risk management for law firms. She earned her bachelor's from Virginia Tech and JD from the University of Richmond School of Law. She is fully securities and insurance licensed.

Reynolds has more than 8 years of experience in the financial industry. He joins Pinnacle from Truist, where he excelled in providing financial advice and solutions to law firms and attorneys, including a niche focus on contingency firms with emphasis on qualified settlement fund administration and attorney fee deferral solutions. A legacy SunTrust advisor, he served in various roles across corporate finance, corporate strategy and wealth management. He holds bachelor's degrees in finance and international business from the University of Georgia, as well as a certificate in legal studies. His extensive background and strategic insights will help ensure clients receive top-tier advisory services tailored to their unique needs. Reynolds is fully securities and insurance licensed.

Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services designed for businesses and their owners and individuals interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. The firm is the No. 1 bank in the Nashville-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA, according to 2024 deposit data from the FDIC. Pinnacle is No. 11 on FORTUNE magazine's 2024 list of 100 Best Companies to Work For® in the U.S., its eighth consecutive appearance and was recognized by American Banker as one of America's Best Banks to Work For 11 years in a row and No. 1 among banks with more than $10 billion in assets in 2023.

Pinnacle expanded to Georgia in 2020 by hiring a team of local financial services professionals to start an office in Atlanta. The firm was named to the list of Best Places to Work in Atlanta, medium company category, four years in a row by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, including a No. 1 ranking in 2022 and No. 2 in 2023.

The firm began operations in a single location in downtown Nashville, TN, in October 2000 and has since grown to approximately $50.7 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024. As the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, Pinnacle operates in several primarily urban markets across the Southeast.

Additional information concerning Pinnacle, which is included in the Nasdaq Financial-100 Index, can be accessed at www.pnfp.com.