Chief Financial Officer • Currency Bank
Banking was Jared Watkins’ Plan B. His first degree was in music production, but a return to school for accounting led to a different kind of composition: helping community banks grow without losing their financial footing.
He became a bank CFO by 31. At Landmark Bank, he helped guide 65% asset growth during the pandemic while preserving financial strength. As its community development financial institution officer, he secured $8.3 million in grants that supported underserved communities and expansion into two new markets.
Now chief financial officer at Currency Bank, he brings that discipline to deploying resources from an acquisition completed before he arrived. His focus is on improving profitability without adding unnecessary risk—growth that makes the institution stronger rather than simply larger.
In Zachary, where he lives, Watkins serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission, helping guide the community’s development. He has also held stewardship, audit and other leadership roles at First Baptist Church.
My best business advice: “Know your ‘why.’ If you want your career or business to define you, give it everything you have. If it’s what allows you to build the life you want for your family and enjoy the things that matter most to you, even better. The important part is not forgetting what you’re working for.”
How I unplug: “We have backyard chickens. I’ll sometimes go outside and watch them for a while. It sounds silly, but have you ever just watched chickens doing chicken stuff? It’s pure entertainment. They have their own personalities, are constantly doing something ridiculous, and keep me from thinking about work.”
