WesBanco Appoints Nathan Jones as Chief Risk Officer
WesBanco announced that Nathan Jones has been appointed Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, effective April 27. He succeeds Mike Perkins, who is retiring in June after more than three decades with WesBanco. Jones brings nearly 30 years of experience in enterprise risk and credit leadership at large, complex financial institutions. He joins WesBanco from First Interstate Bank, where he most recently served as Chief Risk Officer, overseeing enterprise risk management and governance. Prior to that role, Jones held senior leadership positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Heartland Financial USA and Fulton Financial Corporation, as well as leadership roles at First Horizon National Corporation, BMO Financial Group, and Bank of America. His background spans credit risk, enterprise risk, analytics, consumer and commercial portfolios, and finance. Jones holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Southern Methodist University.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on WSBC
About WSBC
About the author

- Executive Appointment: WesBanco has announced the appointment of Nathan Jones as Chief Risk Officer, effective April 27, 2026, succeeding Mike Perkins, who is retiring after over three decades, ensuring continuity and stability in the bank's risk management practices.
- Extensive Experience: Jones brings nearly 30 years of enterprise risk and credit leadership experience, having served as Chief Risk Officer at First Interstate Bank, where he oversaw enterprise risk management and governance, demonstrating his leadership capabilities and expertise in complex financial institutions.
- Strategic Focus: In his new role, Jones will be responsible for risk management, compliance, credit administration, and products, aiming to ensure that WesBanco's risk culture supports long-term sustainable growth by closely partnering with business units to drive the bank's development.
- Company Overview: With over 150 years of history, WesBanco has total assets of $27.5 billion and manages $7.8 billion in trust and investment services, showcasing its strong position and capabilities in the regional financial services market.
- Executive Appointment: WesBanco has announced the appointment of Nathan Jones as Chief Risk Officer, effective April 27, 2026, aimed at enhancing the company's risk management capabilities and ensuring a robust risk culture during future growth.
- Extensive Experience: Jones brings nearly 30 years of enterprise risk and credit leadership experience, having served as Chief Risk Officer at First Interstate Bank, where he oversaw enterprise risk management and governance, which is expected to provide WesBanco with deep industry knowledge and leadership.
- Continuity in Leadership Culture: WesBanco CEO Jeff Jackson stated that Jones's disciplined risk mindset and credit background will help maintain the strong risk culture and governance foundation established under Mike Perkins, ensuring long-term sustainable growth after his retirement.
- Asset Scale: As of March 31, 2026, WesBanco's total assets reached $27.5 billion, with Trust and Investment Services managing $7.8 billion in assets, demonstrating the company's strong position and capabilities in the financial services sector.
- Strong Financial Performance: WesBanco reported a net income of $87 million for Q1 2026, translating to diluted earnings per share of $0.91, demonstrating the company's ability to maintain profitability post-acquisition, which bolsters investor confidence.
- Loan Growth Outlook: The company expects mid-single-digit year-over-year loan growth for 2026, supported by a record commercial loan pipeline, particularly in the rapidly expanding South Florida market, indicating successful strategic positioning in new markets.
- Asset and Deposit Growth: As of Q1, WesBanco's total assets reached $27.5 billion, with deposits increasing 2% year-over-year to $21.7 billion, reflecting the company's solid market position and enhanced customer base.
- Risk Monitoring and Outlook: Despite facing risks from increased nonperforming loans, management emphasized that these loans are well-collateralized, and they plan to continue monitoring market dynamics in the coming months to ensure financial health and stable growth.
- Earnings Beat: WesBanco reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.91, exceeding expectations by $0.05, indicating strong profitability that could bolster investor confidence in the bank's financial health.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The bank's revenue increased by 33.0% year-over-year to $257 million, yet it fell short of expectations by $7.54 million, highlighting intensified market competition and cost pressures that may impact future profitability.
- Loan Growth Outlook: WesBanco signals mid-single-digit loan growth for 2026, reflecting a strategic focus on expanding its healthcare and Southeast LPO initiatives, aimed at increasing market share in these sectors.
- Analyst Rating Insights: Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating on WesBanco suggests a cautious market outlook regarding its future performance, prompting investors to monitor the bank's adaptability and strategic adjustments in the current economic landscape.
- Significant Net Income Growth: WesBanco reported a net income of $84.4 million for Q1 2026, with diluted earnings per share of $0.88, a stark contrast to a loss of $11.5 million and a loss per share of $0.15 in Q1 2025, indicating a robust financial recovery and enhanced profitability.
- Improved Net Interest Margin: The net interest margin for the first quarter stood at 3.57%, an increase of 22 basis points year-over-year, primarily driven by lower funding costs and higher securities yields, reflecting effective management in the interest rate environment and enhanced profitability.
- Asset and Loan Growth: As of March 31, 2026, WesBanco's total assets increased by 0.3% year-over-year to $27.5 billion, with total portfolio loans reaching $19.1 billion, demonstrating the company's ongoing efforts in organic growth and market expansion, particularly in the high-growth South Florida markets.
- Increase in Non-Interest Income: The first quarter non-interest income was $41.8 million, up 20.7% year-over-year, primarily due to the acquisition of Premier Financial Corp., indicating the company's success in expanding its customer base and enhancing service revenue.









