Origin Bank Names Walt Stephens Mississippi President
Stephens succeeds Larry Ratzlaff, who moves to a part-time business development role with the bank.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in People
Origin Bank has named Walt Stephens executive vice president and Mississippi state president, succeeding Larry Ratzlaff, who has led the region for more than 16 years. Stephens brings more than 16 years of banking experience to the role.
Why it matters
The appointment places a leader with long Mississippi banking experience in charge of Origin's statewide strategy in a market the bank entered in 2010. It signals continuity in regional leadership as the bank works to expand its commercial and industrial presence across the state.
Walt Stephens brings more than 16 years of banking experience to the role, succeeding Larry Ratzlaff, who led Origin's Mississippi region for more than 16 years. Origin has operated in the state since 2010, and the announcement does not detail specific growth targets for the new leadership.
The players
Origin Bank
Origin Bank is a Ruston, Louisiana-based financial institution that operates banking centers across several Southern states, including Mississippi.
Walt Stephens
Walt Stephens is a banking executive with more than 16 years of experience, including roles in agricultural lending and commercial banking in Mississippi.
Larry Ratzlaff
Larry Ratzlaff is a longtime banking executive who led Origin Bank's Mississippi region for more than 16 years before moving to a part-time business development role.
The details
Stephens has held roles as an agricultural relationship manager, city president, commercial banker and market executive, most recently leading commercial banking for the Mississippi market. He earned a bachelor's degree in agribusiness from Mississippi State University and will maintain an office at Origin's Highland Colony Financial Center in Ridgeland.
Timeline
2010: Origin Bank enters the Mississippi market.
November 13, 2026: Origin Bank announces Stephens' appointment as executive vice president and Mississippi state president.
Market Landscape
Origin's 2010 entry into Mississippi has grown into a state-level leadership structure, and this appointment extends that footprint with a commercial-focused executive. The move positions the bank to compete more directly for commercial and industrial clients in a regional banking market it has built over more than fifteen years.
Mississippi customers of Origin Bank may see the bank's commercial and business services shaped by the new statewide leadership. The announcement does not specify changes to product offerings, fees or branch services for individual account holders.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at regional banks often signal shifts in lending priorities, so business customers in Mississippi may want to watch how Origin's commercial strategy develops under new state leadership. Checking with your local branch can clarify any services that affect your accounts.
Further reading
For more on leadership moves across the state, see Mississippi People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Oxford Eagle.
