President and CEO of Mechanics and Farmers Bank headquartered in Durham, NC. M&F Bank has total assets of $450 Million and seven branch locations in the 5 largest markets within North Carolina. M&F Bank is the 2nd oldest African American owned bank in the U.S. with 117 years of service. Mr. Sills’ background includes a unique combination of executive experience within large-scale banking operations, community banks and governmental organizations. He has over 35 years of banking and technology management experience. Currently, he serves on various banking industry boards and non-profit boards, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond where he serves as the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee with over $600 billion in assets; Secretary and Executive Committee member of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), the largest community bank trade association in America; past Chairman of the North Carolina Bankers Association, representing the Nation’s 10th largest banking market; Executive Committee, NC Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the DEI Advisory Board; the National Bankers Association; and former member of the FDIC Minority Banking Advisory Committee. Jim received a BA from Morehouse College, an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh, and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Banking School.