Bank of America Appoints New Las Vegas Market President
Wendy Franco steps into the role, overseeing 39 local branches as her predecessor retires after 37 years.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Banking
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Bank of America has appointed Wendy Franco as the new president of its Las Vegas market. Franco succeeds Al Welch, who is retiring after a 37-year tenure with the institution.
Why it matters
The leadership change affects the operations of a major financial entity in the valley, which currently employs nearly 1,400 people and manages over $20 billion in local deposits.
As of June 30, 2026, the bank maintained a 21.5 percent share of the local market from $20.48 billion in deposits. The institution oversees 39 financial centers, 209 ATMs, and nearly 1,400 employees across the valley.
The players
Wendy Franco
The new Bank of America Las Vegas market president who also serves as a Business Banking market executive.
Al Welch
The retiring Bank of America market president who served the institution for 37 years.
Bank of America
The financial institution operating 39 centers and 209 ATMs in the Las Vegas market.
The details
Franco, a University of Nevada, Reno graduate with over 20 years of experience, will oversee the bank's local growth efforts and collaboration across eight distinct business lines. She will continue her existing responsibilities as a Business Banking market executive while assuming the presidency. The change marks the end of Welch's long-standing leadership over the bank's substantial Clark County footprint.
Timeline
June 30, 2026, marked the date for the bank's latest local deposit market share measurement.
October 27, 2026, was the date the bank issued the formal announcement of the leadership change.
Beyond the Strip
This leadership shift occurs within the context of a stable deposit market where a few national banks consistently command the majority of local assets. Franco inherits a portfolio that has long accounted for more than one-fifth of all Clark County bank deposits.
Bank of America customers should expect no changes to their daily banking services or access to local branches and ATMs. Operations across the company's 39 financial centers in the valley will continue as scheduled under the new leadership.
The takeaway
The transition represents a shift in top-level management for one of the valley's largest employers. Residents and business clients can watch for updates on local lending or community outreach initiatives as the new market president takes on her expanded responsibilities.
Further reading
For more on the financial services sector in the valley, see our coverage of Banking.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal.
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