RALEIGH, NC - Paragon Commercial Bank, the first business-only bank in North Carolina, has named Connie Thames of Cary as its Assistant Vice President/Client Development Officer.

Thames' responsibilities with Paragon include developing banking relationships with nonprofits, trade associations and commercial property management firms. In addition to assisting them with their cash management needs, Thames will provide expertise from her previous positions as membership sales representative with AAA Carolinas and branch sales/services manager for Wachovia.

"I have been impressed with the experience, knowledge, dedication, enthusiasm and team players at Paragon," Thames said. "If potential clients or existing clients have a need, Paragon thinks 'outside the box' in finding solutions and exceeding expectations."

Paragon Commercial Bank President and CEO Bob Hatley said that Thames will be an asset to Paragon and especially its clients. "Connie not only brings professional sales and banking skills to this position," he said, "she brings superb communication skills that will serve us and our clients well.

Paragon Commercial Bank, which opened in May 1999, provides banking products and services tailored to meet the needs of small to medium-size companies with revenues from $5 million to $25 million including commercial real estate companies, residential construction firms and professional service firms, particularly attorneys, health care providers and accountants.