8MARCH - APRIL 2026OPINIONIN MYIn this feature, Samuel shares the principles shaping his approach to commercial banking. His commitment to client security, consultative service and responsible use of AI illustrates how banking can stay future-focused while remaining deeply rooted in client needs.Path from Underwriting to Relationship ManagementI have spent more than nine years in banking, and each stage has shaped the way I work today as a commercial banking relationship manager. I began on the analytical side, developing the discipline to evaluate credit spreads, complete annual reviews and draft loan agreements with precision. That foundation helped me move into portfolio management, where I underwrote credit for commercial clients ranging from five to seventy-five million dollars in revenue across industries like manufacturing, logistics, restaurant groups and development.After several years, I advanced into the middle-market space, supporting companies between one hundred and five hundred million in revenue, many of which operated across multiple states or internationally. I later stepped into corporate finance, working on multi-billion-dollar, often publicly traded clients and participating in syndicated deals where large credit facilities were structured and shared across institutions. Each role broadened my perspective and prepared me for relationship management, where I bring all of that experience together to support clients with clarity and confidence.Responding to Client Needs through Practical InitiativesFraud has become the pressure point every commercial client feels today. It shows up through robocalls, hacked systems and increasingly sophisticated attempts to breach operations, making prevention the most urgent challenge our clients face. Protecting their finances is top of mind for us, which is why HOW SMART TOOLS STRENGTHEN HUMAN-DRIVEN BANKINGBy Michael Samuel, Commercial Banking Relationship Manager, SouthState BankPeople are using AI to write memos, gather industry insights, prepare for client conversations and even capture meeting notes so they can stay focused in the moment.Michael Samuel is a commercial banking relationship manager who builds and grows partnerships with middle-market clients. He brings experience in M&A underwriting, portfolio management and corporate lending, supported by a background in business economics and risk management. He has passed the CFA Level 2 exam and is preparing for Level 3.
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