News Press Releases

Regions Insurance Expands Geographic Footprint, Opens First South Carolina Office in Columbia to Serve Commercial Clients Throughout the State

RF | July 15, 2013

Regions Insurance today announced it has established a new office in Columbia, S.C. and hired tenured insurance executive Frank Norris to lead the office, its first in the state of South Carolina.

Frank Norris, Regions Insurance (Photo: Business Wire)

Norris and his team join Regions Insurance from Frank B. Norris and Co., a Columbia-based insurance and risk management brokerage. Specialties include residential homebuilders and trade contractors. The team also brings expertise in property, especially the unique needs of East Coast and Caribbean resorts.

The Columbia office is the first Regions Insurance office located in South Carolina and the third significant addition to Regions Insurance over the past six months as part of the firm’s efforts to expand its coverage and capabilities throughout the Southeast. In November Regions Insurance opened its first office in Atlanta, Ga., serving clients throughout the state. In January Regions Insurance expanded its employee benefits practice in Memphis, Tenn.

“We are excited to continue to extend the geographic presence of Regions Insurance with the addition of Frank and his experienced team,” said Curren Coco, president and CEO of Regions Insurance Group. “This outstanding group has a great depth of experience in commercial property casualty business with a particular focus on construction and property management companies. They have deep roots in the South Carolina community and are uniquely positioned to meet the insurance needs of local companies.”

Norris, a 40-year insurance industry veteran and Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) founded Frank B. Norris & Co. in 1984. Norris is active with home builders associations on the state and local levels and currently serves on the South Carolina Building Codes Council. He also serves on the board of the Sharing Precious Memories Foundation, a non-profit organization that grants travel wishes to children and families with serious medical conditions. Norris is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.

“All of us from Frank B. Norris & Co. are excited to become a part of the Regions Insurance team,” said Norris. “As one of the largest insurance brokerages in the Southeast, Regions Insurance offers clients a wealth of resources and expertise provided by agents who understand the needs of local communities and companies. We are excited to offer this value proposition to existing clients and look forward to expanding our reach within South Carolina.”

Also joining Regions Insurance from Frank B. Norris and Co. are Charles Foster, Gus Brabham, and Bennett Griffin.

Foster is a 24-year insurance industry veteran and Certified Insurance Counselor, specializing in construction and property management insurance. He serves on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Home Builders Association and the Horry-Georgetown Home Builders Association. He is a member of the American Resort Directors Association (ARDA). Foster attended Winthrop University and the University of South Carolina.

Brabham is a Certified Insurance Counselor with more than 19 years of insurance industry experience specializing in construction and other business insurance. Brabham has served on the Board of Directors for the Charleston Homebuilders Association and on committees with the Greater Columbia Home Builders Association. He is on the Board of Directors for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of South Carolina, serving as the INsurPac Chair. Brabham is a graduate of Wofford College.

Griffin is a Certified Insurance Counselor and has 14 years of experience in construction and business insurance. He serves on the Executive Committee of the State Home Builders Association of South Carolina and participates in home builders associations across the state. Griffin is a graduate of Clemson University.

Regions Insurance, an affiliate of Regions Bank, is ranked among the top 25 U.S. insurance brokers and is the fifth largest insurance broker based in the Southeast. Regions Insurance offers comprehensive insurance solutions and risk management services for businesses and individuals through more than 500 insurance professionals located throughout the 16 states Regions serves. Additional information about Regions Insurance and its products and services may be found at www.regionsinsurance.com.

About Regions Financial Corporation

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $120 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,700 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.