Former First Horizon Bank Executive Vice President and Market President Abel Harding left the bank last week for an opportunity that he said May 27 will start in June.
He did not disclose details of that opportunity.
Harding also is the volunteer appointed board chair of JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development division of JAX Chamber.
“I look forward to a bright future in Jacksonville and intend to announce my plans in the coming weeks,” Harding, 51, said in an emailed statement.
“In the interim, I’ll be joining the JAX USA team at the Paris Air Show in June. We look forward to continued progress in recruiting businesses from around the world to recognize the unique potential of Jacksonville.”
JAX Chamber executives typically attend the show.
The International Paris Air Show is scheduled June 16-22. It features aerospace industry leaders, innovators, decision-makers and displays.
First Horizon said May 27 it also would be disclosing its plans.
“We look forward to announcing a new Jacksonville leadership team soon,” said Jim Donatelli, market president for Northern Florida, in an emailed statement.
“Jacksonville is an important part of our growing Florida franchise, and we are committed to ensuring that we have the right talent in place to deliver exceptional value to our clients and lead our community-focused initiatives.”
First Horizon Bank has two locations in the Jacksonville area. Those are at 135 W. Bay St. Downtown and at 250 Florida A1A N., Suite 300, in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Harding joined IberiaBank as market president when it entered the Jacksonville market with the acquisition of Florida Bank in 2015.
IberiaBank announced its merger with First Horizon Bank in 2019.
“I’m proud of the team we built at First Horizon and am grateful for the opportunities we had to serve clients and be part of transformational projects across Northeast Florida,” Harding said.
Harding also serves on the JAX Chamber board of directors and is a member of the Jacksonville Civic Council.
Based in Memphis, Tennessee, First Horizon Corp. had $81.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025. Its regional banking subsidiary, First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. says First Horizon Bank has 424 locations. There appear to be 76 in Florida.
First Horizon Bank offers commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income and mortgage services.