LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Encore Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Encore Bank, are pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly A. Brown to both the Encore Bancshares, Inc. and Encore Bank Boards of Directors.
Brown is a partner at Patriot Financial Partners, L.P., a private equity firm based in Radnor, Pennsylvania focused on investing in community banks, thrifts and financial services related companies throughout the United States. The firm recently invested in Encore’s 2022 private placement offering, making the firm Encore’s first institutional investor.
“This is an exciting time for growth at Encore Bank,” said Chris Roberts, Encore’s CEO and chairman. “We are pleased with Patriot’s decision to invest in Encore and delighted to welcome Kelly to both the Encore Bancshares, Inc. and Encore Bank Boards of Directors. We are looking forward to this partnership and confident Kelly’s extensive leadership experience in the banking industry should be a great asset to us for years to come.”
Brown has more than 30 years of experience in financial services. Before joining Patriot in 2022, Brown was the CEO and chairman of The American Deposit Management Co. in Wisconsin, which she founded in 2009 and led to a successful exit in 2020. Before starting ADM, Brown founded First Wisconsin Bank & Trust Company, which became one of the fastest growing banks in Wisconsin’s history and sold for a premium in 2008.
Over the years, Brown’s leadership has earned her several honors, including The Business Journal’s Woman of Influence, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year, Future 50 CEO, Business Journal’s Entrepreneur of the Year and 40 Under 40 Award. Her experience in banking includes senior leadership positions in local, regional and national banks in divisions that include commercial lending, credit, treasury management, trust and retail banking.
Brown has a bachelor’s in management and a master’s in organizational behavior from Cardinal Stritch University in Wisconsin. She also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wharton Business School for Executive Education. Active in her community, Brown is the founder of the Marquette University Commercial Banking Program and a member of her local school board.
“I am looking forward to working with the impressive team at Encore Bank,” said Brown. “What they’ve accomplished in just a few years is substantial. I believe their rapid organic growth demonstrates the effectiveness of their leadership, strategy and culture.”
Established in 2019, Encore is currently operating in 20 markets across eight states and is the fastest organically growing bank in the country among banks with total assets greater than $750 million, according to data collected from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
“Patriot seeks portfolio companies that have strong management teams with successful track records,” said Kirk Wycoff, Patriot’s managing partner. “We look for banks with demonstrated growth in assets, loans and core deposits, as well as a strong credit culture, growth in net income and acceptable levels of capital. In our opinion Encore Bank checks all these boxes. The team at Encore has the opportunity for a bright future ahead, and we are excited to be a part of their journey.”
About Encore Bank
Headquartered in Little Rock, Ark., Encore Bank was established in 2019 after its founders moved to The Capital Bank, rebranded it as Encore Bank and began its transformation. With just seven employees and $159 million in assets, Encore’s founders turned it into the fastest organically growing bank in the country within three years, according to data collected from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Encore Bank is a privately held, boutique bank with a commercial focus that couples highly experienced and talented bankers with innovative technology to offer unprecedented levels of service to its clients through a hospitality-inspired concierge approach. Encore Bank provides a full suite of financial products and services with purpose, passion and precision. Encore Bank currently operates in 20 markets across eight states. As of Dec. 31, 2022, Encore Bank had $3.5 billion in total assets. For more information, visit www.bankencore.com.
