Ruston, LA-based Argent Financial Group has appointed four directors and a president for its trust business, which it has renamed Argent Trust Company.

The firm said it has recently expanded into nearby regions and so has decided to refine its focus on client service delivery and brand development.

“Argent Trust has been a primary catalyst for the growth our company has experienced,” said Kyle McDonald, chief executive of Argent Financial and chairman of Argent Trust.

In another recent expansionary move, the firm extended its geographic footprint in February by acquiring San Antonia, TX-based The Trust Company (view here).

Appointments

Gary Moore, who joined Argent in 1998, has been named as president and senior trust officer and joins the board of Argent Trust. He has over 30 years of experience in the wealth management industry.

The new board of directors are: Armand Roos, counsel to Weiner Weiss & Madison of Shreveport; J Mark Garrett, a retired partner of KPMG and chairman of Argent’s audit committee; Thomas Murphy, a private investor and former president of Murco Drilling; and John Werner, a partner at Fishman Haygood Phelps Walmsley Willis & Swanson.

Meanwhile, John Williams has been elected as director emeritus in “recognition of his service for over 20 years,” the firm said.

Argent Financial Group manages some $5.5 billion in client assets and provides individuals and businesses with an array of financial services built from its core trust management offering.