Bank of America has appointed Stephenie Whitfield as president of its Sarasota/Manatee market, succeeding Erik Vatter, who has led the market since 2022 and will transition to his new role as Merrill senior financial advisor.
Whitfield, who also serves as Business Banking market executive, will oversee the bank’s eight lines of business in the region, working to expand market share and strengthen client relationships.
“Throughout her career with Bank of America, Stephenie has established deep relationships with teammates, clients and the community, to deliver responsible growth,” Brian Moynihan, Bank of America chair and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Stephenie is well-positioned to build on Erik’s success and continue to grow our market share, delivering the full breadth of Bank of America’s capabilities to help our local clients improve their financial lives.”
Whitfield brings more than 25 years of financial services experience, including roles in commercial banking and Small Business Administration lending. At Bank of America, she has held leadership positions such as Commercial Credit executive for the Southeast, national SBA Credit team leader, Business Banking market manager for Greater Tennessee and SBA market manager for the eastern U.S.
Whitfield is a graduate of Leadership Manatee and serves on the boards of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and The Salvation Army of Manatee County. She holds a law degree from Howard University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.