SunTrust Banks on Tuesday said David Ratcliffe, who retired last year as the top officer at Atlanta-based Southern Co., has joined the banking company’s board of directors.

Atlanta-based SunTrust said Ratcliffe will serve on the board’s risk and compensation committees.

Ratcliffe was formerly chairman, president and chief executive of Southern, one of the nation’s largest power companies and parent of Georgia Power.

"His leadership reputation, results focus and first-hand experience operating in a highly regulated industry will bring added insight and perspective to our Board discussions and decision making," James Wells III, SunTrust’s executive chairman, said in a news release.

Ratcliffe also serves on the boards of several other corporations and non-profits, including CSX Corp., Georgia Research Alliance, GRA Venture Fund and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.