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More than just a summer job, our internships launch the careers of future professionals while bringing fresh, innovative ideas to our team. Here at BankSouth, we take immense pride in cultivating emerging talent and providing hands-on, impactful experiences that bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world.
This summer, we were thrilled to welcome an exceptional group of interns representing Stetson University, University of Georgia, University of Mississippi, and the University of North Georgia. Over the past few months, they haven’t just shadowed our teams; they’ve rolled up their sleeves, tackled complex projects, and brought incredible energy to our branches and departments.
Let’s look behind the scenes to meet our 2026 summer interns, celebrate their achievements, and hear about the invaluable lessons they are taking with them as they step into their bright futures.
Some people need weeks to settle into a new role. Amanda Jacobs hit the ground running. A University of Georgia student pursuing both a BBA in Finance and an MBA in Accounting, Amanda brought her self-described superpower of “Rapid Absorption” to the Loan Servicing team, quickly mastering new systems and processes. One of her biggest contributions came during preparations for BankSouth’s upcoming system upgrade, where she partnered with colleague Ryan Miller to compare current consumer loan statements with new versions. Together, they created a presentation highlighting key visual and language changes, helping ensure customers experience a smooth transition.
For Amanda, the people made the biggest impression. She found it refreshing to work alongside teammates who were genuinely passionate about what they do and eager to invest in her success. Along the way, she discovered that feedback isn’t criticism. It’s one of the fastest paths to growth. With guidance from team members and Loan Servicing Specialists, Dylan Clark and Emily Dove, she grew from finding loan proofing intimidating to confidently handling the process on her own. By embracing proactive curiosity and always asking the “why” behind the “how,” Amanda learned how all the pieces of the bank connect. She summed up her 2026 internship experience in one word: Immersive.
Numbers tell a story, and Ann Hayes Shaifer quickly learned how to read them. A recent Honors Finance graduate from the University of Mississippi with a minor in Entrepreneurship, Ann Hayes joined BankSouth’s Credit team ready to sharpen her analytical skills. Splitting her time between our Watkinsville Town Center and Lake Oconee branches, she dove straight into the deep end of loan underwriting. By tackling this core banking function early on, Ann Hayes was able to see tangible, rapid growth in her analytical skills.
For Ann Hayes, the collaborative environment is what stood out most. She found herself surrounded by teammates who challenged her to think critically while creating an environment where questions were welcomed and learning was encouraged. One lesson stood above the rest: don’t be afraid to ask for help. That mindset helped transform the uncertainty of moving from the classroom into a professional career into confidence that she belongs in the banking industry. She summed up her 2026 internship experience in one word: Transformative.
Behind every successful organization is someone making sure the details are right. That’s where Ana Barranco found her passion this summer. A University of North Georgia Accounting major with a self-described superpower of “Attention to Detail,” Ana joined BankSouth’s Accounting Department, where she quickly discovered how small details can make a big impact. From accounts payable to journal entries, she gained firsthand experience supporting the financial processes that keep the bank running smoothly. One of her favorite experiences was assisting with month-end closing, where she saw how daily work comes together to create an accurate financial picture.
For Ana, the most rewarding part of the summer was seeing classroom concepts come to life in a professional setting. Along the way, she learned that accuracy isn’t just about getting the numbers right. It’s about building trust in the financial information others rely on every day. That perspective strengthened her confidence with accounting systems and reinforced the importance of slowing down, reviewing her work, and staying open to learning. Looking back, she’d tell herself not to worry about having all the answers on day one. Growth comes one lesson at a time. She described her internship experience in one word: Rewarding.
Marketing is changing faster than ever, and Avery Freeman spent the summer helping BankSouth prepare for what’s next. A recent University of Georgia graduate with a degree in Public Relations and minors in General Business and English, Avery brought her self-described superpower of “Data Storytelling” to the Marketing team. She led the BankSouth Digital Authority Project, a four-week initiative focused on strengthening the bank’s digital presence across search and emerging digital discovery platforms. Through website and competitor audits, SEO and AI content research, and the development of local authority profiles for every BankSouth market, Avery created a strategic roadmap and content calendar that will help guide the bank’s digital marketing efforts well beyond the summer.
For Avery, the greatest reward wasn’t just the projects she completed. It was the trust she was given to explore new ideas and present recommendations that could shape the bank’s future marketing strategy. Along the way, she discovered that effective marketing isn’t simply about being seen. It’s about creating authentic connections that genuinely serve customers and communities. The experience strengthened her confidence in transforming research into actionable strategy, and she left the summer inspired by the opportunity to contribute meaningful work from day one. She described her internship experience in one word: Insightful.
Every successful organization depends on people willing to ask tough questions and look beyond the obvious. That’s exactly what Barrett Giesbrecht brought to BankSouth this summer. A University of Georgia Computer Science major with a self-described superpower of “The Fact Finder,” Barrett joined the Internal Audit and Risk Management teams to help ensure the bank’s operations remain accurate, secure, and efficient. One of his favorite experiences was participating in a branch audit at BankSouth’s Atlanta office, where he worked alongside colleague Cody to evaluate processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and see an audit through from beginning to end.
For Barrett, one of the biggest surprises was discovering how many different teams work together to keep a community bank running smoothly. Along the way, he learned that the best auditors don’t just verify that a process was followed. They ask why it exists in the first place and look for opportunities to make it even better. The experience also gave him confidence beyond technical skills. By working with leaders across the organization, Barrett quickly realized that BankSouth’s executives are approachable, collaborative, and genuinely invested in helping others grow. Looking back, he’d tell himself not to be nervous. Curiosity and a willingness to learn were all he needed to succeed. He described his internship experience in one word: Foundational.
Great technology only works when the information behind it is accurate. That’s where Jaxon Leggett made his biggest impact this summer. A rising senior at the University of Georgia, Jaxon joined BankSouth as a Digital Banking Product Specialist Intern and quickly earned the nickname “The Prompt Whisperer” for his ability to use AI to solve problems, improve workflows, and uncover efficiencies. One of his biggest contributions came in support of BankSouth’s upcoming system upgrade, where he helped prepare and validate critical data to support a smooth transition for both employees and customers.
While Jaxon enjoyed tackling technical challenges, one of the biggest lessons he learned came through connections. Building relationships across departments and connecting with former interns who are now full-time employees showed him that success comes from asking questions, communicating proactively, and learning from the people around you. He also discovered that titles don’t define accessibility. BankSouth’s leaders and teammates were eager to share their knowledge and invest in his growth. Jaxon leaves the summer with greater confidence, stronger professional relationships, and a deeper appreciation for the collaborative culture that defines BankSouth. He described his internship experience in one word: Transformative.
Sometimes the best innovations aren’t new technologies. They’re better ways of using the tools you already have. That’s the approach Ryan Miller brought to BankSouth this summer. A graduate student in the University of Georgia’s Financial Planning program, Ryan joined the Loan Servicing team with a self-described superpower of “The Chat Power-User.” Throughout the summer, he explored how BankSouth Chat, the bank’s secure internal AI assistant, could simplify everyday work, ultimately creating a custom chat template that helped streamline audit requests and make locating key information within loan documents faster and more consistent.
For Ryan, the most enjoyable part of the summer was the free Friday lunches at Town Center, but the most rewarding aspect was the real-world experience of handling loan payments, documents, and reviews with the utmost attention to detail. He learned a crucial unwritten rule from his team: “Bad news early is good news; bad news late is a disaster.” Ryan leaves the summer with a much stronger understanding of how everyday compliance processes support the bank’s larger mission of serving customers safely and responsibly. Looking back, Ryan wishes he had started keeping a running notebook of processes, feedback, and lessons learned on day one. It’s advice he’ll carry into every future opportunity. He described his internship experience in one word: Foundational.
Few interns had the opportunity to experience as many corners of BankSouth as Triston Mowry. A Stetson University student pursuing a BBA with a minor in Entrepreneurship, Triston spent the summer supporting the Savannah Region while gaining hands-on experience at the Downtown Savannah branch, Savannah Mortgage, HMGMA, and even Lake Oconee. Along the way, he jokingly developed a new superpower, “Navigation,” as he became an expert at navigating Georgia’s highways between locations. One of his favorite projects was preparing loan memos, giving him a deeper understanding of the analysis and decision-making that support commercial lending.
For Triston, the most rewarding part of the summer was seeing how community banking is built on relationships, not just transactions. One lesson especially stayed with him: meaningful client relationships don’t begin and end with a loan. They grow through consistent communication, thoughtful follow-up, and a genuine commitment to helping people succeed. The experience also strengthened his confidence in evaluating loan memos and gave him a deeper appreciation for the role lending plays in supporting local businesses and communities. Looking back, he’d tell himself not to hesitate to ask questions, even the simple ones. Every conversation became an opportunity to learn. He described his internship experience in one word: Expansive.
Every internship tells a story, and this year’s class reminded us why investing in future talent matters. Throughout the summer, Amanda, Ana, Ann Hayes, Avery, Barrett, Jaxon, Ryan, and Triston didn’t simply observe how a community bank operates. They contributed meaningful work, embraced new challenges, asked thoughtful questions, and left BankSouth better than they found it. While each intern’s journey was unique, a common thread emerged across every department: growth happens when curiosity meets opportunity. Whether supporting our upcoming system upgrade, strengthening customer communications, improving internal processes, exploring the future of digital marketing, or building relationships that strengthen our communities, these interns demonstrated that meaningful contributions aren’t measured by years of experience, but by a willingness to learn and make a difference.
At BankSouth, our internship program is about more than gaining experience. It’s about developing future leaders through real projects, trusted mentorship, and the opportunity to make an impact from day one.
Consider BankSouth where you can make a real impact and grow with a team that champions your potential. We want you in our next wave of BankSouth interns. 2027 intern opportunities will open in early 2027, so keep checking our Careers page, LinkedIn, and Handshake for new opportunities.
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