09.27.22
Circle of Excellence: Jim Nonnengard
by: BISA Staff and Jim Nonnengard
The Circle of Excellence Award, BISA’s most prestigious award, honors and celebrates extraordinary leaders for their long-term commitment to the profession and association. To be eligible for this distinguished award, candidates must be senior-level executives in their institution with a minimum of 20 cumulative years of experience in the financial services industry and must have made meaningful contributions with a lasting impact to the association. Candidates are recognized among their peers for their outstanding vision, innovation and career achievements.
BISA Portfolio is starting a Q&A series highlighting our 2022 Circle of Excellence Award winners, beginning with Jim Nonnengard, who truly exemplifies what it means to be an “extraordinary leader.” Read our conversation with him below.
What does being a "Circle of Excellence" winner mean to you?
JN: It’s a huge honor to be recognized in the industry, but what’s even more satisfying is the recognition by BISA, which I’ve been involved with for so many years and watched flourish and grow into the meaningful association it is today. To be alongside several pioneers and awesome contributors to the association means, to me, I played a role and had a hand, like those before me, in leading successfully and hopefully furthering the association’s mission.
How has BISA impacted your career and relationships in the industry?
JN: Being an active participating member of BISA over the years has opened up so many relationships and brought so many industry friends. It feels a bit like a close family. As we all know, not all families get along, but in the end, family helps and supports family. And that’s always been a big value to me, as we may compete, but we are always willing to help each other. Simply having those connections and interactions with others at different financial institutions or service providers gives the ability to get ideas, bounce an issue, problem solve or just get help. Our carriers and other service providers play a big role when it comes to solutions.
What is the moment, decision or result you are most proud of from your career?
JN: I don’t know if “proud” is the right word. There have been some good decisions and lucky decisions, and also a couple that I’d like to do over. Probably the best decision was 10 years ago deciding to outsource our broker-dealer to a third party. This was in the face of almost everyone thinking “regions” would be crazy, and why couldn’t we just build out our own? We were up and running quickly, serving customers and meeting needs almost immediately, rather than spending money and a bunch of time building. It’s been a success for our customers, associates and shareholders. Good decision or luck, it doesn’t matter.
What is one piece of advice you have for individuals looking to advance their career in the financial industry?
JN: Get involved and create your own success. Use your BISA membership benefits and give back. And if you want to get to the top, as Zig Ziglar says, never say “that’s not my job.” Your boss and others are watching and will appreciate.
About Jim Nonnengard
Jim Nonnengard serves as president of Regions Investment Services for the Wealth Management Group at Regions, a regional bank that operates throughout the South, Midwest and Texas and is headquartered in Birmingham, AL. He is responsible for providing executive and regulatory oversight of the Investment Services Department, which is comprised of Securities Licensed Financial Advisors and Insurance Licensed Bankers.
Nonnengard joined Regions (then AmSouth) in 2004 as president of AmSouth Investment Services, Inc. Previously, he served as managing director for Wachovia Securities / SouthTrust Securities in Birmingham and state sales director for Chase Manhattan in Rochester, New York.
Nonnengard is currently on the board of directors for the Bank Insurance and Securities Association. He holds Series 24 and Series 7 securities licenses and a state of Alabama insurance license