Synovus Bank has named Walt Deriso as CEO and Hamilton Hilsman as president of The Family Office (TFO) at Synovus. Deriso will lead the overall direction of TFO, focusing on strengthening client relationships and expanding service offerings. Hilsman will lead the team’s efforts to continue driving innovation in advisory services to ultra-high-net-worth families. Deriso will report to Wayne Akins, executive vice president, chief community banking and wealth services officer for Synovus. Hilsman will report to Deriso.

Walt Deriso named CEO of The Family Office at Synovus. (Photo: Business Wire)

Deriso has been with Synovus for nearly a decade, most recently serving as senior vice president, director of strategic growth and family office solutions for TFO. Hilsman has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, with 28 of those years at Synovus. He joined TFO in 2004 as a relationship manager and was named director in 2007. Prior to that, he served as a commercial lender.

“Walt and Hamilton have keen insight into our clients’ needs and the demonstrated ability to build strong, trusting relationships,” said Akins. “Their leadership and vision mark an exciting new chapter for The Family Office at Synovus, as we grow our client offerings while maintaining the industry’s best client experience.”

With more than 25 years of experience in the family office and banking industries, Deriso has expertise in startup formation, capital raising, early-stage development, growth, and mergers and acquisitions. He serves on The UHNW Institute’s Leaders Council. He’s actively involved in the Atlanta community as chair of the board of the Collective Learning Academy and Buckhead Buddy Baseball commissioner and coach. Deriso earned an MBA from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s from Vanderbilt University.

Hilsman is a frequent speaker in the wealth management and family office industries on topics related to multi-generational families and family enterprises. Active in the Columbus community, Hilsman is chair of the Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation and a board member of the 1909 Preservation Society. Hilsman earned an MBA and bachelor’s from the University of Georgia.