James Black Returns to His Local Roots

James Black Returns to His Local Roots
The Bank of Southside Virginia Names New Market Executive
 
COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. — After more than three decades in community banking, James Black is returning to what matters most: serving the communities that shaped him.
 
As The Bank of Southside Virginia’s new Senior Vice President and Market Executive, Black is leading the bank’s commercial banking and business development efforts across the Tri-Cities market, which includes Colonial Heights, Chester and Petersburg.
 
The Chesterfield County native brings more than 30 years of banking leadership and a career rooted in relationship banking across Central and Southside Virginia. Now, he has returned to his own backyard to help local businesses and families succeed through the personalized service and local decision-making that have defined BSV since 1905.
 
“My role is focused on building long-term relationships,” Black said. “Whether it’s supporting our teammates, serving our customers or representing the bank in the community, it all comes back to people. Community banking allows you to see the direct impact you make because you’re working alongside your neighbors and investing in their success.”
 
BSV’s longstanding commitment to local communities made Black’s decision to join the bank an easy one.
 
“I’ve always been drawn to community banking because it’s relationship-based – not transaction-based,” he said. “You know your customers. You understand their businesses. You celebrate their successes, help them through challenges and build trust over time. Local decisions lead to local results and, ultimately, local impact. That’s what makes community banking so meaningful.”
 
“James understands this region because he’s lived, worked and built relationships here throughout his career,” said Will Clements, BSV’s Chairman, President and CEO. “He knows our communities, shares our commitment to local decision-making and understands that good banking is about helping our neighbors and markets thrive. We’re excited to welcome a respected, familiar face to our team as we continue investing in the communities we serve.”
 
As market executive, Black serves as a brand ambassador for BSV while leading business development, strengthening commercial and consumer banking relationships, supporting local branch teams and expanding the bank’s presence throughout the region.
 
His broad banking background gives him a unique perspective when working with business owners, having served as a bank examiner, CFO and CEO during his career.
 
“I’ve sat in many different seats,” Black said. “That experience allows me to better understand the challenges business owners face because I’ve faced many of those same decisions myself. Every customer has a story, and the more we understand that story, the better we can help them achieve their goals.”
 
Black began his banking career as a bank examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond before serving in executive leadership roles at several community financial institutions, including Citizens Community Bank, where he served as CFO and later, helping guide the bank through its merger with Bank of McKenney to form Touchstone Bank.

About The Bank of Southside Virginia