BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) today named two new members to its executive management team. The announcement, which is effective Jan. 1, 2016, is part of a long-term plan to expand its top leadership group.

W. Bennett Bradley, president of Payment Solutions, and David H. Weaver, Community Banking group executive, will join the 11 current members of the executive management team, which sets policy and direction for the corporation.

"In a rapidly changing technological and client service environment, these moves position our management team for the future. Bennett and David are both proven leaders who, along with the rest of our management team, will continue to build on our 143-year legacy as a client-centered, financially sound institution," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kelly S. King.

As president of BB&T Payment Solutions Division, Bradley, 53, is currently responsible for Treasury Services and Commercial Deposits, Merchant Services, International Services and Association Services as well as card issuing for credit, debit and prepaid businesses.

Upon joining executive management, Bradley will assume the new role of Chief Digital Officer. Bradley will be responsible for establishing BB&T's future digital strategy and working with lines of business to develop a digital roadmap to ensure the corporation is always current, competitive and providing a complete digital experience for clients.

"Joining BB&T's executive management team is a great honor for me, and I look forward to helping our company move forward on our digital journey as we fulfill our mission to help our clients achieve economic success and financial security," Bradley said.

Bradley served as manager of Electronic Delivery Systems and held various credit roles including senior credit officer of the Eastern Region before assuming his current role.

A native of Tarboro, N.C., Bradley is a 30-year banking veteran and joined BB&T through the Leadership Development Program.

Bradley is a recognized leader in the payments industry and serves on the boards of The Clearing House Payment Company and Secure Digital, LLC. He has also served on the NACHA Board of Directors, STAR Advisory Board and VISA Risk Committee.

Bradley is a graduate of North Carolina State University and the Banking School of the South at Louisiana State University.

As executive vice president and Community Banking group executive, Weaver, 48, oversees nine BB&T Community Bank regions inAlabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and the newly formed Central Pennsylvania Region. Weaver will continue in this role and provide the executive team a unique vision and perspective on our Community Bank clients and their needs.

"I am excited to be joining the executive management team as we move into the next phase of change in the banking industry and look forward to our continued focus on client service and growing shareholder value," Weaver said.

A native of Raleigh, N.C., Weaver was named regional president of the Triangle Region and Raleigh city executive before assuming his current responsibilities. A 26-year banking veteran, Weaver joined BB&T as a business services officer focusing on middle market C&I and CRE clients.

Weaver serves on the Bankers Advisory Board for the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. He has also served as a board member for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Communities in Schools of North Carolina, as trustee for Wake Education Partnership, and Wake County chair of the United Way of the Greater Triangle Campaign.

Weaver earned both his bachelor's degree in business administration and MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

BB&T's other executive management team members include King, Chief Operating Officer Chris Henson, President of Branch Banking & Trust Ricky Brown, Chief Financial Officer Daryl Bible, Chief Risk Officer Clarke Starnes, Enterprise Risk Manager Barbara Duck, Deposits and Operations Manager Donna Goodrich, Chief Marketing Officer and Lending Group Manager Steve Wiggs, Chief Corporate Communications Officer Cynthia Williams, President and CEO of BB&T Securities and Manager of BB&T Capital Markets Rufus Yates, and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Robert Johnson, Jr.

BB&T last expanded its executive management team in December 2014.