Origin Bancorp (NYSE: OBK) enters Birmingham with seasoned banking team
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Origin Bancorp, Inc. is expanding its Southeast footprint by entering the Birmingham, Alabama market and hiring an experienced local banking team. Long-time Birmingham banker Will Hawkins has been named Market Leader, joined by bankers Nick Petelos, Adam Pierce, and Nathan Nix.
The company highlights that Birmingham is a strategic next step following its 2024 Southeast expansion into South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Origin currently operates more than 57 locations across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle and plans to establish a Birmingham banking location pending required regulatory approvals.
The disclosure includes standard forward-looking statement language, noting that actual results may differ due to various risks, including previously identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and related remediation efforts, as well as other factors described in the company’s SEC filings.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 7.01, 9.01
2 items
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Locations operated: more than 57 locations
Experience of Market Leader: more than 32 years
Experience of Nick Petelos: more than 30 years
+1 more
4 metrics
Locations operated
more than 57 locations
Current branch network across TX, LA, MS, AL and FL Panhandle
Experience of Market Leader
more than 32 years
Will Hawkins’ commercial lending and business banking experience
Experience of Nick Petelos
more than 30 years
Commercial and business banking background in Birmingham
Children of Adam Pierce
four children aged 6-16
Family details illustrating local community ties
Key Terms
forward-looking statements, Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, material weakness, internal control over financial reporting, +1 more
5 terms
forward-looking statements regulatory
"the words or phrases “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” ... are intended to identify “forward-looking statements”"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regulatory
"intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995"
material weakness financial
"the impact of management’s conclusion ... that a material weakness existed in the Company’s internal control procedures over financial reporting"
A material weakness is a significant flaw in the systems and checks a company uses to ensure its financial reports are accurate, meaning errors or fraud could happen and not be caught. For investors it matters because it raises the risk that reported results are unreliable—similar to finding a hole in a ship’s hull—potentially leading to corrected financials, regulatory action, reduced trust, and negative effects on stock value and borrowing costs.
internal control over financial reporting financial
"a material weakness existed in the Company’s internal control procedures over financial reporting"
Internal control over financial reporting is a company’s system of procedures and checks designed to make sure its financial statements are accurate and complete, like a set of guardrails and verification steps that catch mistakes or fraud before numbers are published. Investors care because strong controls make reported results more trustworthy, lower the risk of surprise restatements or regulatory problems, and give greater confidence when valuing the company or comparing it to peers.
regulatory approvals regulatory
"The Bank intends to establish a Birmingham location in the near future, pending receipt of all required regulatory approvals."
Regulatory approvals are official permissions from government agencies that a company needs before launching a new product, service, or business activity. They matter because without this approval, the company might not be allowed to operate legally or sell its products, similar to how a driver needs a license to legally drive a car.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File No.) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices including zip code) | ||
(318 ) 255-2222
| (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) | ||
Not Applicable
| (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) | ||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). | |||||
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨ | |||||
| ITEM 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. | ||||
Origin Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) announced today that it recently expanded its presence in its Southeast market through the hiring of an experienced team of bankers in Birmingham, Alabama. In conjunction with this expansion, Origin Bank has named Will Hawkins, a seasoned local banker, as Market Leader for Birmingham. Hawkins joins Origin Bank leading a team that includes Nick Petelos, Adam Pierce, and Nathan Nix.
As provided in General Instructions B.2 to Form 8-K, the information furnished in this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and such information shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Forward-Looking Statements | |||||
When used in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in the Company's press releases or other public or stockholder communications, and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “foresees,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or variations of such terms are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. Factors that might cause such a difference include among other things: the impact of management’s conclusion, in consultation with the Audit Committee, that a material weakness existed in the Company’s internal control procedures over financial reporting; the evaluation and implementation of remediation efforts designed and implemented to enhance the Company’s control environment; the potential identification of one or more additional material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control of which the Company is not currently aware or that have not yet been detected; the potential identification of one or more material weaknesses in the Company’s consolidated financial statements of which the Company is not currently aware or that have not yet been detected; and those described more fully in the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC.
The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation - to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
| ITEM 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits | ||||
| (d) | Exhibits. | ||||
| Exhibit 99.1 | Press release, dated April 29, 2026, announcing entry into Birmingham, Alabama | ||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: April 29, 2026 | ORIGIN BANCORP, INC. | |||||||
By: /s/ William J. Wallace, IV | ||||||||
| William J. Wallace, IV | ||||||||
| Senior Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
April 29, 2026
ORIGIN BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES ENTRY INTO BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
HIRES WILL HAWKINS, NICK PETELOS, ADAM PIERCE, AND NATHAN NIX
RUSTON, Louisiana (April 29, 2026) - 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
FAQ
What did Origin Bancorp (OBK) announce about its expansion into Birmingham, Alabama?
Origin Bancorp announced its entry into the Birmingham, Alabama market, expanding its Southeast presence. The company is building a local team led by veteran banker Will Hawkins as Market Leader, reflecting a strategic move to deepen its commitment to Alabama banking relationships.
Who is leading Origin Bancorp’s new Birmingham market and what is his background?
Origin selected long-time Birmingham banker Will Hawkins as Market Leader. He brings more than 32 years of commercial lending and business banking experience, extensive leadership roles in the Greater Birmingham area, and has completed specialized banking courses alongside a degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Which bankers are joining Origin Bancorp’s new Birmingham team?
The Birmingham team includes Market Leader Will Hawkins, along with bankers Nick Petelos, Adam Pierce, and Nathan Nix. Each member has deep local ties and extensive experience in commercial, business, or private banking, as well as active involvement in the Birmingham community and professional organizations.
How many locations does Origin Bancorp (OBK) currently operate and where?
Origin currently operates more than 57 locations. Its network spans Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Houston, North Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, reflecting a broad regional footprint in the South and a foundation for continued Southeast expansion, including Birmingham.
What forward-looking statement and risk disclosures does Origin Bancorp highlight?
Origin notes that statements using terms like “expects” or “plans” are forward-looking and subject to risks. It cites factors including previously identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and related remediation efforts, along with other risks described in its periodic SEC filings.
Does Origin Bancorp plan a physical banking location in Birmingham?
Origin states it intends to establish a Birmingham banking location. This plan is described as pending receipt of all required regulatory approvals, meaning opening a physical branch will depend on approval from relevant banking regulators before operations can formally begin.