Chip McLeod named Bank of America Upstate president

Chip McLeod, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management senior resident director, has been named president of Bank of America for Upstate South Carolina. He succeeds Stacy Brandon, who led the market for more than 10 years and retired from the company after 39 years.

As president and head of the market, McLeod is charged with connect clients, teammates and communities to the full power of the franchise and drive collaboration across the company’s eight lines of business, according to a news release. He will lead Bank of America’s efforts to grow market share in the Upstate by building strong local connections and identifying opportunities to deepen and expand relationships.

“Chip’s established leadership and experience will ensure we’re delivering on our responsible growth strategy to deepen relationships with clients, the community and teammates,” Brian Moynihan, chair and CEO of Bank of America, said in the release. “Chip will continue to grow our market share in the Upstate, delivering the full breadth of Bank of America’s capabilities to help our local clients improve their financial lives. We thank Stacy for her remarkable 39 years of service with the company.”

McLeod has more than three decades of experience in wealth management and financial services. He joined Merrill in 2007 and led its work in Spartanburg, overseeing 14 associates.

McLeod is active in communities across South Carolina. Former Gov. Jim Hodges appointed him to the Council of Advisors on Consumer Credit in 2001, and he still serves. He is president of the Spartanburg Downtown Rotary and is a past president of the Spartanburg Estate Planning Council and the Spartanburg Philharmonic Board. He is also a former board member of the South Carolina Council on Economic Education at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University.

There are 270 local Bank of America and Merrill employees at 20 Upstate locations supporting clients.