RALEIGH, NC – Charles Cleary of Chapel Hill has joined Paragon Commercial Bank, the first business-only bank in North Carolina, as Senior Vice President.

Cleary graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in history and from Wake Forest University in 1997 with a master’s in business administration. He comes to Paragon from SouthTrust Bank, where he was vice president of Corporate Banking.

His primary role is developing and managing banking relationships that Paragon has with operating companies in the greater Triangle area.

Bob Hatley, CEO of Paragon Commercial Bank, said that Cleary’s experience and his commitment to customer services fits in well with the bank. “Just like Paragon, Charlie is absolutely focused on providing the best banking experience available to customers,” he said. “Our customers are fortunate that we have him working for them.”Cleary said that many companies view their banking relationship as nothing more than a loan or depository account because that’s all their bank provides to them.

“Paragon provides its customers with a real resource of financial expertise,” Cleary said. “We develop the specific understanding of our customer’s operations necessary to serve as a strategic advisor.”

Cleary is married to Dr. Mary-Cassie Shaw, a Raleigh pediatrician, and they have an 18-month-old daughter, Cassie Elizabeth.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 $50 million including commercial real estate companies, residential construction firms and professional service firms, particularly attorneys, non-profits, property management firms and accountants.

Paragon Commercial Bank is headquartered in Glenwood Plaza, 3605 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612. Paragon Commercial Bank can be found on the web at www.paragoncommercial.com.