
TowneBank Loses a Cherished Member
In Memoriam, Phil Jurney 11/9/65 – 8/19/21
It was with great sadness that the TowneBank family learned of Phil Jurney's passing in August. Phil served as president of TowneBank Charlotte and was a dedicated servant and friend to all.
A lifelong resident of Charlotte, Phil was a graduate of The Citadel and continued his studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he earned his MBA. He was a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Banking.
Phil served the banking industry for more than 30 years, most recently at Paragon Bank which became part of the TowneBank family in 2018. Active in his community, Phil was a longtime supporter of Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas, the Boy Scouts of America, and The Citadel Brigadier Foundation.
Among his recognitions, Charlotte Business Journal named him one of Charlotte's Most Admired CEOs in 2019. When asked about the keys to building trust in an organization, Phil responded: "Be genuinely honest and treat others how you would want to be treated." His top piece of advice for other CEOs: "Have fun and instill fun with your team. Be a good listener."
Bob Hatley, former CEO of Paragon Bank, shared these memories of Phil, who became Charlotte market president for Paragon in 2007: "He was the perfect fit, with all the ingredients necessary for success in our unique banking model. He grew up in Charlotte, went to graduate school at UNCC, had been an executive at a highly successful community bank, and he was well known and respected in the Charlotte community. But it was the intangibles that made Phil special not only as an executive at Paragon, but also as a person and community leader. His personality was contagious and people gravitated to him. He always said, 'Tell me what you want me to do and I will do it.' And he did. His staff was very loyal to him and wanted to do good for Phil. He was a loving and caring husband and father. He will be missed."
Bob Aston, TowneBank executive chairman, adds, "We lost an extraordinary member of our Towne family with the passing of our teammate and special friend. Phil was truly a remarkable person with exceptional leadership ability that was grounded on a foundation of character, kindness, amiability, love of family and the joy of life."
The Towne family shares our deepest sympathies with Phil's wife Martha, son Taylor, daughter Rachel, and all of his family as well as our Charlotte teammates.
"Phil was truly a remarkable person with exceptional leadership ability that was grounded on a foundation of character, kindness, amiability, love of family and the joy of life."