Ex-NationsBank exec James Sommers dies at age 75

James Sommers, who served as president of private banking for Bank of America predecessor NationsBank, died last week at age 75.

Sommers died Friday at his home in Charlotte after a battle with Parkinson’s disease, according to his obituary.

Born in Richmond, Va., Sommers served as an executive in marketing, international banking and other functions at Charlotte-based NationsBank before becoming its private bank president.

NationsBank became Bank of America when it bought San Francisco-based BankAmerica in 1998.

Sommers also worked for NationsBank predecessor North Carolina National Bank, also known as NCNB.

His civic work in Charlotte included serving in chairman roles for the Arts & Science Council’s annual capital campaign, the Mint Museum’s board of trustees and the board of the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation.

In 2003, Central Piedmont Community College named one of the buildings on its main campus after Sommers, one of the college’s benefactors.

His funeral was held Monday at Christ Episcopal Church on Providence Road, according to his obituary.

This story was originally published March 10, 2015 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Ex-NationsBank exec James Sommers dies at age 75."