FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2026
Media Contact:
Matt Smith
Southern Bank
919-259-9313
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc. and Southern Bank and Trust Company (“Southern Bank”) today announced the appointment of Peter M. Bristow, Jr. of Raleigh, N.C., to the Board of Directors of both companies, effective January 1, 2027.
Bristow brings nearly a decade of financial services experience spanning mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, commercial lending and brokerage. He currently serves as Vice President – M&A Corporate Development Officer at First Citizens Bank in Raleigh. Before joining First Citizens, he was an Investment Banking Associate in the Financial Services Group at Piper Sandler Companies in New York, where he advised depository institutions on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and other strategic initiatives. Bristow has also held previous positions at First Citizens and The Vanguard Group in Charlotte, N.C.
“Peter brings a deep understanding of the merger and acquisition marketplace and financial institution capital instruments, along with a strong foundation in commercial credit. His perspective will serve our Board well as Southern Bank continues to grow and serve our communities,” said Drew M. Covert, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Bank. “We are pleased to welcome him.”
Bristow holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Corporate and Investment Finance from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wake Forest University.
About Southern Bank and Trust Company
Founded in 1901, Southern Bank and Trust Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc. Headquartered in Mount Olive, N.C., the bank has total assets of approximately $5 billion and more than 55 locations serving eastern North Carolina and Virginia. Southern Bank was recently ranked No. 2 on American Banker’s list of top community banks in the nation. Member FDIC.
