The American Bankers Association has elected Jennifer T. Jones as chair of ABA’s Community Bankers Council for the 2024-2025 association year. Jones is president and CEO of CBL State Savings Bank, a 117-year-old institution headquartered in Greer, S.C.
The Community Bankers Council consists of bank presidents and CEOs from across the country. Members meet twice a year in person to strategize on government relations issues, banking trends and competitive priorities, providing guidance to ABA on a number of community banking issues. As CBC chair, Jones will lead the Council’s efforts and represent the group’s collective viewpoint on Capitol Hill, at conferences and during high-level industry meetings.
“Jennifer Jones’ wealth of knowledge and experience will serve our industry well as she advocates for community banks in this important role,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “Through her leadership of the Community Bankers Council, she will be able to share the perspective of community banks and the unique challenges they face especially when it comes to the regulatory environment.”
“Community banks play an essential role in their local markets, but they also help drive the broader U.S. economy,” said Jones. “I’m honored to assume this important role within ABA representing the nation’s community banks, and I look forward to working with my fellow council members to ensure smaller institutions can continue to grow and succeed well into the future.”
A South Carolina native, Jones joined CBL State Savings Bank in 2000 as a Loan Officer after graduating from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. After rising through positions of increasing responsibility, in 2017 she was selected as CBL’s ninth President and CEO and the first woman to hold the role.
Jones has continued to enhance her banking skills by completing the South Carolina Banking School, the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado in Boulder, Colo., and the Truist Leadership Institute. In addition, she is an active member of the South Carolina Bankers Association (SCBA), which named her Outstanding Young Banker for 2016. She has served as the chair of SCBA’s Young Bankers Division and is currently serving as the chair of its board of directors and a member of the SCBA Legislative Committee. In addition to her new role as CBC chair, Jones is also a member of ABA’s Membership Council.
Jones has served or is currently serving in various leadership and volunteer roles within her community, including serving on the board of directors for the Greer Community Ministries, Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce, Greer Development Corporation and Greer Middle College Charter High School.
She resides in Greer with her husband, Walden, and her two children, Carter (20) and Eliza (17).