Kent Ellert has been promoted to president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank South Florida.

He previously served as executive vice president and head of the commercial banking division for the affiliate.

Ellert has more than 22 years of banking experience. Before joining Fifth Third Bank in July, he was regional president of Wachovia’s Gulf Coast region. In that capacity, he led Wachovia through its merger with SouthTrust banks.

Ellert started his banking career in 1989 with initial assignments in corporate banking, retail banking and credit. He joined Wachovia in 1995 as a senior portfolio manager. He was promoted to numerous positions throughout the company, and served as president for Wachovia’s North Florida, Broward and Gulf Coast regions. He held numerous positions in the financial services industry prior to joining Wachovia.

He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Houston. He is a board member of the Economic Development Council, where he serves as vice chairman of the membership and investment committee.