Fidelity Bank has appointed Jay Garrett, Michael Franklin, and Brett Means as senior vice presidents, effective July 8, 2026. This move by the $1 billion regional lender is set to bolster commercial banking capabilities in New Orleans, particularly in the commercial real estate sector.
Brett Means, now serving as the Senior Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager 3, brings over 17 years of experience in real estate development and hospitality lending. His role will focus on building relationships with middle-market businesses, emphasizing real estate and hospitality industries.
The appointments underscore Fidelity Bank’s commitment to enhancing its lending capacity in the local market. With a history of underwriting construction, acquisition, and hospitality deals, these strategic hires may influence access to capital and credit decisions within the region.
Fidelity Bank, headquartered at 353 Carondelet St., operates regionally and positions itself as a key player in New Orleans’ commercial real estate financing landscape. The appointment of Means suggests potential growth in relationship coverage for developers, which is crucial as the city continues to see interest in downtown and boutique hotel projects.
Although no direct changes to lending programs or credit products were announced in connection with these appointments, local CRE professionals should monitor how these staffing decisions might impact Fidelity Bank’s underwriting capacity and future deal flow.
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