Wins Better Life Award for Dedication to Associates, Customers and Community. Regions Financial Corporation today announced that Betsy Bean, vice president and consumer sales manager at Regions Bank in Nashville, Tenn., is the November recipient of the Better Life Award. Bean was recognized for her outstanding commitment to customer service.

Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc., today announced that it has named Richard S. Ferguson president of the firm’s Private Client Group division effective January 1, 2010. “We are pleased to have Dick take charge of our Private Client Group and lead what we think is the most talented team of financial advisors in our industry,” said John C. Carson, Jr., chief executive officer of Morgan Keegan.

John S. Wilson has been appointed by Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc. as branch manager for its Chattanooga office. Mr. Wilson, a native of Chattanooga, also serves as the chief technical strategist in the equity capital markets division of the regional brokerage and investment firm. He succeeds Pat Corey as the branch manager.

Fitch Ratings analysts downgraded Regions Financial Corp. on Monday saying the company's credit costs are rising and its credit quality continues to deteriorate. The long-term issuer default rating was downgraded one notch to "BBB+" from "A-" and the rating outlook was negative.

Of 11 area banking companies with publicly traded stock, only two First Busey Corp. and Regions Financial reported net losses for the quarter that ended Sept. 30. Eight others announced profitable quarters, and one has yet to report. But several banks including profitable ones say the economy remains soft and loan demand is weak.

Two banks which have repaid their bailout funds said Monday they no longer need to take advantage of a special program that offers government insurance on certain deposits, like checking account funds, over $250,000. Bank of New York Mellon and U.S. Bancorp both said they will opt out of a six-month extension of the Transaction Account Guarantee Program.

Regions Financial today announced plans to extend its participation in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's voluntary Transaction Account Guarantee portion of the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program through June 30, 2010.

Regions Financial Corporation is scheduled to present at the 2009 Bank of America Merrill Lynch Banking and Financial Services Conference. Regions executives will make a presentation beginning at 9:40 a.m. EST on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, followed by a question and answer session. About Regions Financial Corporation.

Regions Bank plans to close or consolidate 121 bank branches in 16 states in early 2010, but the cost-cutting move won't affect any offices in the Athens area, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday. "There won't be any consolidation in Athens proper," said Regions Bank spokeswoman Evelyn Mitchell, who added that the closings won't affect any branches in nearby counties, either.

Regions Financial Corporation is scheduled to present at the 2009 BancAnalysts Association of Boston, Inc. Conference. Regions executives will make a presentation beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, November 5, 2009, followed by a question and answer session. About Regions Financial Corporation.