Thursday, Aug. 06, 2009

3 questions for Wachovia’s market chief

Holt Chetwood is not sure being a Clemson grad has always helped his banking relationships in an area so close to USC.

But it hasn’t hurt his career.

Chetwood, 34, recently was named the Midlands market president for Wachovia, the area’s dominant bank based on deposits. He will oversee 29 branches and more than 1,000 employees.

Chetwood succeeded Greg Lapointe, 46, who joined Columbia’s SCBT as senior vice president.

Chetwood has spent 12 years in Columbia working in business and commercial banking for Wachovia, which next year will adopt the Wells Fargo name.

He answered three questions from The State on Wednesday:

Do clients make an issue about your age?

“I have been what I consider to be very involved in the market. I have chaired the Leadership Columbia program and served on the board of the (Greater Columbia) chamber of commerce. It’s a relationship business. And it’s most important that you do what you say you’re going to do. Integrity matters so much in this industry. I’ve worked to do that.”

How have clients reacted to the Wells Fargo merger?

“Banking is not about the institution; it’s about the people. We have satisfied our clients, and our bankers can build on that.”

How has the recession changed your relationships with clients?

“Banking has gone back to basics. ... Across the industry, underwriting standards have changed and to some extent are more conservative. We’re lending, and we’re open for business.”

— Andrew Shain

Get The State newspaper delivered to your home. Click here to subscribe.