Meet Clayton Legear!

A natural desire to serve others, combined with a willingness to push himself and those around him to never settle for less than is possible, defines Clayton Legear, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merchants and Marine Bancorp, Inc.

Legear credits his parents for passing those qualities on to him. It laid a foundation for making life choices: Two of the biggest choices that got him where is today, empowered him to leap when opportunities presented themselves.  From accepting a call to serve as president of his fraternity (ATO) at Troy, to moving across country for a transformative career launch, to convincing his now wife of 19 years to go on a first date. “Being willing to trust my instincts and take a leap in pursuit of my life goals has benefitted me tremendously over the years,” said Legear.

The one rule he lives by is “never give up, never surrender”.

A native of Webb, Alabama, Legear values time spent with family, reading, writing and playing music. He’s a collector of guitars and fountain pens and never leaves home without his wallet and pocketknife while listening to podcasts and audiobooks on his rides.

When asked: What’s something you wish more people would talk about? Legar said, “What we all have in common rather than our differences. We live in an increasingly polarized and divided world, with influences of all types working to convince us of our differences. However, in every experience I have had of meeting and getting to know someone from a different background or nationality, I am reminded of how much more we have in common than we have differences”.

The one thing he’s most excited about for the future is, “being able to continue learning and growing alongside my family, friends and a community I love.”

Merchants and Marine Bancorp, Inc. is a GulfSouth community banking company serving customers across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana through a family of seven community banking, mortgage, special finance and bank services brands focused on relationship-driven banking and community development.