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May 4—HIGH POINT — Joe Hellinger didn't let it get him down.
After almost 20 years with BB&T in High Point, the commercial banker was laid off last September in the wake of the merger that formed Truist.
But after seven months, the bank not only rehired him, it elevated him to the position of High Point market president for commercial loans.
Hellinger credits his faith, optimistic attitude and the influence of other local Truist representatives he's long known for the positive outcome.
"Every merger has growing pains. Truist had to make cuts and some tough decisions, and I got caught up in that," he said. "What I've learned these last seven months is that staying positive and trying to make the best of the situation really helps."
Since BB&T and SunTrust merged to create Truist in 2019, the bank has cut thousands of jobs to try to reduce costs and raise its stock price.
This dynamic played out here when bank leaders decided that High Point was only big enough for one commercial lender.
"Everyone hated to see Joe go when we learned about it," said A.B. Henley, a High Point commercial Realtor and chairman of Truist's local advisory board that acts as the bank's ambassador and "eyes and ears" in the community.
When the previous High Point market leader resigned a month ago, Henley told Truist leaders that Hellinger would be the ideal successor.
"Our market president, formerly called city executive, has always been a great banker but has always been a very visible city leader," Henley said. "Joe was my banker before he left, so I've seen how he values his obligations and responsibilities in the community. When the folks that were leading that search effort asked me what my thoughts were on it, I told them that, to me, that was a critical attribute that the market leader had to have."
Hellinger, 42, started with BB&T's management training program after he graduated from Appalachian State University in 2004.
He's built up a large client base of manufacturing companies, furniture wholesalers and technology businesses in the $10 million to $100 million range.
"A commercial banker's job is being an advocate for the business and helping our credit partners (lenders) understand their story, so that a deal can be structured that protects the bank and helps the client succeed," Hellinger said.
In taking on his new role, he credits support from colleagues like Scott Tilley, senior managing director of The Tilley Group with Truist Wealth Management, who works in the same High Point office.