Origin Bancorp, Inc. Announces Entry Into Birmingham, Alabama Hires Will Hawkins, Nick Petelos, Adam Pierce, and Nathan Nix
Rhea-AI Summary
Origin Bancorp (NYSE: OBK) announced expansion into Birmingham, Alabama and the hiring of a local banking team led by Market Leader Will Hawkins. The hires also include Nick Petelos, Adam Pierce, and Nathan Nix. Origin operates more than 57 locations and established its Southeast region in 2024. The Bank intends to open a Birmingham location in the near future, pending required regulatory approvals.
Positive
- Entry into Birmingham market
- Market leader hire: Will Hawkins, 32+ years experience
- Southeast expansion: 3 banking centers since 2024
Negative
- Birmingham branch opening pending regulatory approvals
News Market Reaction – OBK
In the Apr 30 session, OBK declined 0.19%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22 | Dividend declaration | Positive | +4.0% | Announced quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per common share. |
| Apr 22 | Earnings release | Positive | +4.0% | Reported Q1 2026 net income, record net interest income and higher dividend. |
| Apr 10 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | -1.3% | Announced timing of Q1 2026 earnings release and conference call. |
| Jan 28 | Dividend declaration | Positive | +4.5% | Declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share. |
| Jan 28 | Earnings release | Neutral | +4.5% | Reported Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings results. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent dividend and earnings announcements have generally coincided with positive price reactions, suggesting the stock has responded constructively to fundamental updates.
Over the past six months, Origin Bancorp has focused on shareholder returns and fundamental execution, including dividend declarations on Jan 28, 2026 and Apr 22, 2026, both followed by gains of about 4–4.5%. Earnings releases for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 also saw similar positive moves. Today’s Birmingham market entry and team hires extend that growth trajectory, building on the regional expansion and balance sheet progress highlighted in prior filings and earnings updates.
Key Terms
holding company financial
commercial lending financial
private banking financial
portfolio management financial
regulatory approvals regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
RUSTON, La., April 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Origin Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: OBK) (“Origin,” “we,” “our” or the “Company”), the holding company for Origin Bank (the “Bank”), today announced its entry into Birmingham, further expanding its presence in Alabama. The Bank has also announced that long-time local banker Will Hawkins has been hired to serve as Market Leader in Birmingham.
“Our expansion into Birmingham is a natural next step for Origin as we continue to strategically grow with purpose,” said Drake Mills, chairman, president and CEO of Origin Bancorp, Inc. “We’ve built strong momentum within the southeast, and establishing a presence in this market with this team is an exciting continuation of our long-term commitment to serving Alabama in a meaningful way.”
Hawkins brings more than 32 years of experience to Origin and has an extensive knowledge of commercial lending and business banking. He has previously served in senior leadership roles, building and leading teams that have developed strong client relationships throughout the Greater Birmingham area. Hawkins is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has completed specialized courses through the American Bankers Association and Community Bankers Association of Alabama. As a lifelong resident of Birmingham, he is actively engaged in the community where he and his wife, Michele, have raised six children together.
“As other banks are consolidating, Origin is investing. We believe great organizations are built by great people, and this team reflects exactly that,” said Lance Hall, president and CEO of Origin Bank. “Their reputation, integrity, and commitment to relationships align with who we are at Origin, and we’re excited about the impact they will make in Birmingham and beyond.”
Also joining the Bank in Birmingham are:
- Nick Petelos, a veteran banker with more than 30 years of experience in commercial and business banking. Petelos was born and raised in Birmingham and graduated Cum Laude from The University of Alabama. He and his wife Yvonne have two sons that both attend his alma mater, Briarwood Christian School.
- Adam Pierce, a relationship-driven banker of more than 20 years, specializing in commercial lending, portfolio management and business development. He earned his undergraduate degree from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Pierce currently serves on the board of directors for the Coastal Conservation Association of Birmingham and is the outgoing chairman of the Birmingham Chapter of Delta Waterfowl. He and his wife Melissa have two boys and two girls ranging from ages 6-16.
- Nathan Nix, a Birmingham native with expertise in private banking, portfolio management, and credit. Nix is a graduate of The University of Alabama and is passionate about serving clients and his community.
“Attracting a team of this caliber speaks to the strength of the Origin culture,” said Nate Sommer, Southeast regional president of Origin Bank. “This group is deeply invested in the community and has the expertise to deliver solutions that support the dynamic growth in this area.”
Origin currently operates more than 57 locations in Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Houston, North Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. The more than century-old institution established its Southeast region in 2024 with its entry into South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Since then, it has established three banking centers within the region that have helped fuel strategic and disciplined organic growth.
The Bank intends to establish a Birmingham location in the near future, pending receipt of all required regulatory approvals.
About Origin Bancorp, Inc.
Origin Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana. Origin’s wholly owned bank subsidiary, Origin Bank, was founded in 1912 in Choudrant, Louisiana. Deeply rooted in Origin’s history is a culture committed to providing personalized relationship banking to businesses, municipalities, and personal clients to enrich the lives of the people in the communities it serves. Origin provides a broad range of financial services and currently operates more than 57 locations in Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Houston, North Louisiana, Mississippi, South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. In addition, Origin provides a broad range of insurance agency products and services through its wholly owned insurance agency subsidiary, Forth Insurance, LLC. For more information, visit www.origin.bank and www.forthinsurance.com.
Contact Information
Investor Relations
Chris Reigelman
318-497-3177
chris@origin.bank
Media Contact
Ryan Kilpatrick
318-232-7472
rkilpatrick@origin.bank
