Banking On Creativity Lisa Harless – Sr. Vice President Regions Bank-Nashville, Music Row Branch Imagine a financial organization in Nashville that helps showcase the talents of indie artists, songwriters, and established artists; an organization that - in spite of troubled economic times - continues to be the lead sponsor for the Tin Pan South songwriting festival because they recognize the significance of creative contributions to the Nashville community; an organization who does not judge a creative person for the fact that they are self employed? Imagine also that within the same financial organization there was a toplevel executive with not only 25 years of music industry knowledge and connections that she is willing to share with clients, but also 25 years of experience in meeting the unique financial needs of her clients within the full scope of the music industry? Imagine no more and meet Lisa Harless, Sr. Vice President at the Music Row branch of Regions Bank, located at 1600 Division Street, Suite 100, on the Roundabout Plaza. I was fascinated by Harless’s positive energy and passion for music as I listened to her speak about all of the ways in which she meets her clients needs, including quarterly “Rockin’ at Regions” showcases, where up and coming singer/songwriters can display their talents and possibly land a co-writing session, or an appointment with a publisher, as has happened in the past. Let’s face it though, in the past few years banking institutions have not won any popularity contests across America, and Regions is a commercial bank held to lending guidelines. However, as Lisa shows me the designer shirts that she has just picked up for a client, I understand more about why she is highly respected and considered an intricate gear in the
music industry mechanics - both personally and professionally. In addition to looking out for the best interest of an artist or songwriter by working closely with their business manager, or traveling to another city to take in a client’s concert, making sure that she knows all the band members and the dynamics of what is involved in taking their show on the road, Harless works closely with Regions’ sister company, Morgan Keegan, providing an entire team of specialists who can address a client’s entire financial picture and provide sound advice. To say that she joyfully works above and beyond utilizing every resource available to her within the music industry to meet her client’s financial needs - would be an understatement. When asked if she has ever helped a client grow from unknown struggling singer/songwriter to winning “Entertainer of the Year,” she did not breach her client’s confidentiality, but instead just flashed her beautiful smile and answered, “Yes.”
By: Sherry Bach
To learn more about Regions Bank, or to be considered for participation in “Rockin’ at Regions,” please contact Lisa Harless at: lisa.harless@regions.com or 615-748-2122.