Regions accelerates plan to refresh its branch network

Key insight: Regions Financial plans to open 135 to 150 new branches as part of a strategy that will include closing existing locations.What's at stake: Regions does business across the Southeast, an increasingly competitive market. Its steady presence and strong brand in longtime markets has been a competitive advantage against other banks, according to Chairman and CEO John Turner.Supporting data: Regions currently operates about 1,250 branches across 15 states. That number should remain fairly steady thr ...