H. Lynn Harton
Lynn Harton serves as the Chairman and CEO of United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ: UCBI) and its subsidiary bank, United Community Bank, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
United works hard to “stay small” in the way they approach banking. Known as “The Bank that Service Built,” United has been rated Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Retail Banking in the Southeast by JD Power for eight of the past nine years and currently holds the second highest Net Promoter Score out of the top 100 publicly traded banks in the nation according to JD Power. Formed in 1950, United has operated on the philosophy of providing exceptional banking service while caring deeply for the communities it serves, and this philosophy continues to fuel the company’s growth.
Immediately prior to joining United Community Banks in 2012, Harton was Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking-South for TD Bank, N.A. Prior to that, Harton served as President and CEO at The South Financial Group (which was sold to TD Bank). With a career beginning in 1983, he has held various executive positions at BB&T, Union Planters Corporation and Regions Financial Corporation.
Harton earned his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and has participated in various executive programs at Duke University, Wharton, Columbia, Northwestern, the University of North Carolina, and the University of South Carolina. He has previously served as a member of the RMA National Community Bank Council and the RMA Board of Directors. He also has served on a number of additional financial boards and committees throughout his career, including the Palmetto Business Forum, RMA National Credit Risk Council, CBA National Small Business Banking Committee, and the Equifax Small Business Financial Exchange.
Harton lives with his wife, Flavia, in Greenville, SC. He enjoys giving back to both his industry and the community and has served on a number of financial and local charitable boards and committees throughout his career. He currently serves on the Palmetto Business Forum and is chairman of the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville. Harton was recently awarded the Order of the Palmetto by the Governor of South Carolina. The award is the state’s highest civilian honor for outstanding service to the state and outstanding achievements.