Former First Charter CEO, Fifth Third exec joins Grant Thornton

Bob James, the former CEO of Charlotte-based First Charter Corp. who became North Carolina market president at Fifth Third after his bank's acquisition, is now joining Grant Thornton in Charlotte as banking industry senior advisor, the firm announced Tuesday.

James became CEO of First Charter in 2005 and helped grow it into a $1 billion bank. It was acquired by Cincinnati-based Fifth Third in 2008, which named James market president. James left his day-to-day position at Fifth Third late last year.

James has 38 years experience in banking.