ASHEVILLE, N.C., March 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTBI), the holding company for HomeTrust Bank, has named W. Mark DeMarcus Executive Vice President and Commercial Banking Group Executive effective February 16, 2018.

“Mark brings extensive experience in developing and leading commercial banking teams in our primary footprint in both large national banks and community banks,” said Dana L. Stonestreet, Chairman, President and CEO. “He has a demonstrated history of building shareholder value, and leading teams that serve the credit, depository and treasury management needs of commercial businesses and commercial real estate developers. Mark’s proven experience and leadership is a great addition to the significant talent that has joined HomeTrust in recent years which is driving our momentum to become a high performing regional community bank.”

“HomeTrust Bank has a long history of serving the needs of individuals, businesses and communities. I am excited to join the HomeTrust team to lead our commercial banking segment,” said Mark DeMarcus. “Our teams across the Carolinas, Virginia and East Tennessee have vast experience and capabilities. Building on this foundation to provide solutions to our commercial clients will be very rewarding.”

DeMarcus joins HomeTrust Bank with over 30 years of experience in building and managing teams across the Carolinas and Virginia. Most recently, he was Carolinas President at Atlantic Capital Bank. Prior to joining Atlantic Capital, he was Chief Operating Officer at Yadkin Bank where he was a key executive in the turnaround of the legacy Yadkin Bank. DeMarcus also had a successful 22-year career at the legacy Wachovia Bank with progressive responsibility in both strategy and execution. His roles included Regional President, Corporate Banking Manager, treasury sales and credit administration.

DeMarcus received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Finance from University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

About HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for HomeTrust Bank. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had assets of $3.3 billion. The Bank, founded in 1926, is a North Carolina state chartered, community-focused financial institution committed to providing value added relationship banking through 42 locations as well as online/mobile channels. Locations include: North Carolina (including the Asheville metropolitan area, the "Piedmont" region, Charlotte, and Raleigh), Upstate South Carolina (Greenville), East Tennessee (including Kingsport/Johnson City/Bristol, Knoxville, and Morristown) and Southwest Virginia (including the Roanoke Valley). The Bank is the 2nd largest community bank headquartered in North Carolina.