ServisFirst Bank has opened an office in Pensacola, Florida, which will offer private banking among other services, adding to a number of companies expanding in that region.

The new office is the first the bank has opened outside Alabama, and will be led by Rex McKinney as president and chief executive, as well as a group of bankers from the Pensacola region. These include Thomas Carter, who will serve as chairman of the board for ServisFirst Bank Pensacola, and Cathy England, who has been appointed as vice president - private banking.

All three are former employees of Coastal Bank and Trust (Synovus).

Also joining the Pensacola operation are Robert Fair, as executive vice president and senior lending officer; Karen Wright, as senior vice president - commercial banking; Susi Franklin, as vice president - banking center administrator; Rick Johnson, as vice president - commercial banking; and Portia Kozma, who has been appointed vice president - cash management.

Other wealth management firms to have recently strengthened or opened Florida offices include Harris Private Bank, JP Morgan, Capital Guardian and HighTower.