State Bank Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: STBZ), the holding company for State Bank and Trust Company, today announced executive vice president and senior credit officer J. Michael Allen has been named president-elect of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Allen, a 1991 graduate of LSU’s Graduate School of Banking, has been on the faculty at the banking school for the past 12 years. As president-elect, Allen will serve as a member of the Executive Committee. This committee is responsible for the budget of the school and all policies relating to the operation of the school. Additionally, the president-elect will assist the trustees in recruitment of students.

The graduate program was formed in 1950 and is considered one of the premier graduate schools of banking in the country. Last year, Allen received the T. Eugene Spragens President’s award from the Graduate School of Banking, which recognized his teaching skills and dedication to students.

“Mike’s appointment as president-elect of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU is well-deserved recognition of his commitment to furthering the education of bankers across the country,” said Tom Wiley, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of State Bank and Trust Company.

Allen’s career spans 40 years and includes proven business development results, effective credit risk management, strong leadership across multiple disciplines, an affinity for delivering educational assistance and multi-cultural integrations. As executive vice president and senior credit officer, Allen is responsible for providing leadership, direction and guidance to multiple banking markets and lending specialties in loan originations, underwriting, management, asset quality, client calling and policy. This includes measuring, monitoring and controlling credit risk by championing State Bank’s credit culture and lending philosophy.

“It is such an honor to fulfill this role for the Graduate School of Banking, and I look forward to serving this institution, its students and its faculty beyond the classroom,” said Allen.

In addition to receiving a certificate of completion from LSU’s Graduate School of Banking, Allen received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia College and State University.

About State Bank Financial Corporation

State Bank Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: STBZ), with approximately $5.0 billion in assets as of June 30, 2018, is an Atlanta-based bank holding company for State Bank and Trust Company. State Bank operates a full-service banking business and offers a broad range of commercial and retail banking products to our customers throughout seven of Georgia’s eight largest MSAs. State Bank is a Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

To learn more about State Bank, visit www.statebt.com.