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NATCHEZ — Natchez native Chris Hutchins began his banking career with United Mississippi Bank back in 1995, shortly after earning his MBA from Mississippi State University.

Last week, Hutchins was named president and chief operating officer of United Mississippi Bank.

Hutchins fills the position of another Natchez native, Mike Ellard, who retired recently as president of UMB.

Hutchins will continue overseeing the bank’s operations while also leading strategic initiatives to drive growth and enhance customer service. Since the beginning of his career, Hutchins has been an integral part of UMB.

“I will make 30 years at UMB this year,” Hutchins said. “I began working in 1995 as a financial service representative at the Walmart location we were opening.”

Hutchins earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State in 1994. After earning his MBA, he earned a graduate degree from the LSU School of Banking in 1999.

He entered the company’s management training program and worked in subsequent years in all departments of the company, including lending, accounting, proofing and others.

“I did a variety of tasks over the years to become acclimated with all facets of the bank,” Hutchins said.

During his tenure, UMB has seen tremendous growth and Hutchins has played a key role in UMB’s expansion, most recently acquiring branches in New Roads, Louisiana; Eunice, Louisiana; and Port Gibson, as well as opening a Deposit and Loan Production Office in Brookhaven.

As president and COO, Hutchins will continue to optimize bank operations and support the bank’s long-term growth strategy.

“Chris has been one of the driving forces behind our growth and success, and we are confident that his leadership will continue to strengthen our commitment to the communities we serve,” said Adrian Sandel, UMB chief executive officer.

Hutchins is a 1990 graduate of South Natchez-Adams High School and married his high school sweetheart, Skeeter Brumfield Hutchins.

Mrs. Hutchins earned a degree in elementary education from Mississippi State University and is a kindergarten through second-grade reading interventionist at Delta Charter School in Vidalia, Louisiana.

The two have a daughter, Kailey, who was recently married to Natchez attorney John Ashton Hicks.

Kailey is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Nursing and is a registered nurse at Trinity Medical Center in Ferriday, Louisiana. Hicks is an attorney with Grayson Lewis in Natchez.

“I take a lot of honor and pride in the years I have been working at UMB. We have the opportunity to serve our customers and be good stewards in our community,” Hutchins said. “I am proud of our bank and the 138 staff members who work with us and the work they do in our community. We are a growing bank with 13 branches in Mississippi and Louisiana.

“Banking is important, especially in the smaller communities we have chosen to serve and to invest in. It is simply a pleasure to work at UMB,” he said.