NBT Bancorp Inc. Hires Randy Sparks as General Counsel

Rhea-AI Summary

NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBT) has announced the appointment of M. Randolph "Randy" Sparks as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Sparks will oversee NBT's legal activities and manage relations with regulatory agencies. He brings extensive experience from his previous roles, including General Counsel at MidFirst Bank and Chief Counsel at Bank of America. His addition to the Executive Management Team is seen as a strategic move to support NBT’s growth initiatives. Sparks holds a Juris Doctor from DePaul University, an MBA from St. Louis University, and a Bachelor's in Accounting.

Positive

• Randy Sparks brings extensive legal experience in banking, supporting strategic growth initiatives.
• His appointment enhances NBT's leadership team, potentially leading to improved regulatory relations.

Negative

• Concerns may arise regarding the continuity of legal strategies given Sparks' transition from MidFirst Bank.

NORWICH, N.Y., April 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBT) (NASDAQ: NBTB) President and CEO John H. Watt, Jr. announced that M. Randolph “Randy” Sparks has joined NBT as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. In this position, Sparks will coordinate NBT’s legal activities, manage external legal counsel and assist in the oversight of relations with regulatory agencies.

A member of NBT’s Executive Management Team, Sparks will also be appointed Corporate Secretary by NBT’s Board of Directors. He will be based at the company’s headquarters in Norwich, NY.

Sparks has extensive experience in legal executive roles at both large and midsize banks. Most recently, he served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for MidFirst Bank, a full-service consumer and commercial bank based in Oklahoma City, OK with $32 billion in assets. Prior to that, he worked for Bank of America where he held the position of Chief Counsel and Managing Director, Global Transaction Services.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Randy Sparks to our team at NBT,” said Watt. “He brings with him a wealth of diverse experience in banking and financial services and the legal and regulatory aspects of our business that support our strategic growth initiatives.”

Sparks earned his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Westminster College.

About NBT Bancorp
NBT Bancorp Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Norwich, NY, with total assets of $12.0 billion at December 31, 2021. The Company primarily operates through NBT Bank, N.A., a full-service community bank, and through two financial services companies. NBT Bank, N.A. has 140 banking locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut. EPIC Retirement Plan Services, based in Rochester, NY, is a national benefits administration firm. NBT Insurance Agency, LLC, based in Norwich, NY, is a full-service insurance agency. More information about NBT and its divisions is available online at: www.nbtbancorp.com, www.nbtbank.com, www.epicrps.com and www.nbtinsurance.com.

Contact:
Florence Doller
SVP & Director of Corporate Communications
607.337.6118
fdoller@nbtbank.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bd1ee78f-a2b5-4c7f-81ed-9d7a53e0b778

FAQ

Who is M. Randolph "Randy" Sparks and what is his role at NBT Bancorp?

M. Randolph "Randy" Sparks is the newly appointed Executive Vice President and General Counsel at NBT Bancorp, overseeing legal activities and regulatory relations.

What experience does Randy Sparks have prior to joining NBT Bancorp?

Before joining NBT, Sparks served as General Counsel at MidFirst Bank and held a significant legal position at Bank of America.

What is the impact of Sparks' appointment on NBT Bancorp?

Sparks' legal expertise is expected to strengthen NBT's leadership and enhance its capacity for strategic growth.