Press Release

First Citrus Bank

Tampa, Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

First Citrus Bank Employees Team up with Success 4 Kids & Families to Give Christmas Gifts to Local Kids

December 1, 2010 - Tampa, FL - While many Tampa Bay area families are struggling this Christmas to put food on the table and give their children a decent gift, employees at six local businesses have joined together to ensure the holidays will be bright for families in need.

This year, First Citrus Bank and Success 4 Kids and Families are teaming up with several other outstanding Bay Area companies to give nearly 500 families a nice Christmas dinner and a substantial gift for the kids."We really appreciate the employees this year at First Citrus Bank, who are digging a little deeper and providing gifts to local kids who otherwise might not have a bright Christmas," says Clara Reynolds, Executive Director of S4KF.

Clara also commented that the type of gifts had become noticeably more practical in the last couple years "Even though the average gifting amount is enough to get the kids a cool electronics toy - most of the kids themselves have asked for something really practical this year - like 'a pair of shoes without holes in em'- or 'my first pair of jeans that are not hand-me-downs'-- it's very touching"

"We really want to thank the employees of these organizations- they do a great job 'adopting' a kid for Christmas" - children fill out 'wish-lists' and these requests are passed on to the donors. Many families will also receive a full Christmas dinner to prepare in their homes so that everyone in the family benefits from the program. "We have grown substantially in the last couple of years and we truly appreciate the partner companies and employees that participate in this great local program" reminds Clara-- "We are able to administer these kinds of programs in the Tampa area very efficiently, since our overhead is less than 10%."

Success 4 Kids and Families has won several awards and expanded government contracts as a result of this documented efficiency and noted success rates. Partner Companies and Employees include ConnectWise, Sage, MicroSoft, Tribridge, First Citrus Bank, and Palladium Graphics.

S4KF is a non-profit organization providing free in-home educational and social services for families within Hillsborough County and through the Healthy Start Program, also supports expectant moms and newborns at risk in the Bay Area.

All of the outstanding companies mentioned above provided their donations to fund this wonderful program through their caring employees and corporate funding.

Interested parties should contact: Success 4 Kids & Families at www.s4kf.org

Press Release

First Citrus Bank

Tampa, Florida

For information contact:  John M. Barrett, President and Chief Executive Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

First Citrus Bank Adds Kennedy Boulevard Location

Tampa, FL (June 29, 2009). First Citrus Bank announces the opening of its fifth branch location at 4302 West Kennedy Boulevard in the Westshore Business District of Tampa, Florida.  The new branch opened for business on Monday, June 22, 2009. 

Geared to serve businesses and consumers from downtown Tampa to the Westshore Business District, the new 3,000 square foot building offers all banking services such as deposit and savings accounts for businesses and consumers but also offers early and late drive thru service, courier deposit pickup and remote deposit capture services. The bank is also seeking loan inquiries from area businesses and will meet prospective business clients by appointment at the bank or the clients' office.

Christie Kohler, an eight-year veteran of First Citrus Bank, was appointed Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager for the Kennedy office in June 2009.  She previously managed First Citrus Bank’s South Tampa office located at 4240 Henderson Boulevard since late 2005.  Jana P. Snyder was appointed Senior Vice President and Commercial Lender for this new location.

“First Citrus Bank has worked hard to establish a well integrated presence in the ‘south of Kennedy’ market, says John M. ‘Jack’ Barrett, President, “we are pleased to be opening a branch at a time when many peers are consolidating their operations.”  The bank is an active member of the Westshore Alliance, South Tampa Chamber of Commerce and participates on the boards of The Centre for Women and Tampa Interbay Rotary Club among other community organizations. 

“Our daily goal is to provide outstanding client service combined with excellent banking products. New clients will enjoy our highly personalized approach to banking.  At First Citrus Bank, you will get to know your banker and your banker will know you.  We intend to earn your business every day” commented Jessica L. Kendall, Vice President and Branch Administrator.

Management of First Citrus Bank is headquartered at its corporate office at 10824 North Dale Mabry in Carrollwood. With assets exceeding $255 million, the bank focuses its lending and banking services on businesses and individuals in Tampa Bay.

During the month of July, the new Kennedy branch is hosting a continuous open house and invites business owners and neighbors to drop in for a cold bottle of water during the hot summer weather.  The branch lobby is open from 9am to 4pm Monday thru Thursday and 9am to 6pm on Friday.  To reach the Kennedy branch directly, please call 813-422-6625.

More About First Citrus Bank

First Citrus Bank offers a broad range of commercial and retail banking services, including various types of deposit accounts, loans for businesses and individuals and highly personalized service.  Courier service is available for pick up of business customer deposits throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. 

First Citrus Bank has five locations conveniently located throughout Hillsborough County – Citrus Park, South Tampa, Brandon, Carrollwood and Westshore.

First Citrus Bank has experienced double-digit annual growth since its inception (1998) and is recognized for integrity, teamwork and professionalism based on core values and cardinal business principles of “safety and soundness first”.

The Citrus Park office at 13850 Sheldon Road is a high-performing, full-service branch committed to serving Citrus Park, Odessa and the surrounding areas of Keystone, Odessa and Westchase, as well as Carrollwood.  The branch is managed by Derrick Shearer.

The South Tampa office is conveniently located at 4240 Henderson Boulevard in a state-of-the-art facility, free-standing 3,200 square foot building providing a full array of banking services.  The branch is managed by Jessica Doepker

The Brandon office at 1314 Oakfield Drive is well situated to serve the businesses and residents of Brandon, Valrico, Mango, Seffner and Plant City. The free-standing facility has a full service lobby plus safe deposit boxes and three drive-through lanes.  The branch is managed by Keri Ricci.

Serving businesses and consumers from Bayshore Boulevard to Westshore Boulevard, the Kennedy branch is located at 4302 West Kennedy Boulevard.  Conveniently located between downtown Tampa and the western edge of Tampa Bay the branch also offers courier service for the convenience of its business clients.   The branch is managed by Christie Kohler.

First Citrus Bank headquarters are located at 10824 North Dale Mabry in the Carrollwood area of Tampa, Florida.  A 16,000 square foot three-story facility serving Carrollwood and the surrounding area houses the bank’s loan and deposit operations as well as its executive offices.  The flagship branch is managed by Heather Hudson.

State-chartered and a commercial independent bank, First Citrus Bank was established in February 1999.  The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

For additional information or questions, please contact:
John M. Barrett, President and Chief Executive Officer or
John T. Linton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
10824 North Dale Mabry, Tampa, Florida 33618
Phone: 813-926-2848
www.firstcitrus.com

Disclosures

At First Citrus Bank, we respect each customer's right to privacy and have implemented security procedures to protect our personal and business relationships. We sincerely appreciate your decision to choose our banking services. We also believe that your privacy should not be compromised. Accordingly, we have established this Privacy policy as a guide for collection, use, retention, and security of individual customer information by our employees.

Policy Statement

The safekeeping of customer information is a high priority at First Citrus Bank. Our policy is to collect personal information when it is used to maintain customer security, when law may require it, or when it may be essential to provide normal customer service. While information is critical to providing quality service, we recognize that the trust of our customers is one of our most important assets to be protected at all times.

Collection of Customer Information

Information about customers may come from a variety of sources. Some information is provided to us directly by customers themselves. The Bank as a function of customer service develops other data. Still other data is obtained from outside sources. We will limit the use and collection of customer information to what is necessary to administer our business, provide superior service and offer services that may be beneficial to customer needs. We will use this information only in accordance with the principles established in the Policy.

Maintenance of Customer Information

We are constantly striving to maintain complete and accurate information about you and your relationship with First Citrus Bank. We pledge to respond to your requests to correct inaccurate information in a timely manner.

Limitations on Employee Access to Information

Each employee is required to follow our “Standards of Conduct and Confidentiality” which limits the access to customer information to those with a need to know such information. All customer data is considered private and privileged and is to be used solely for the purpose of providing you with the best possible service.

Established Security procedures for Protection of Information

We safeguard information according to established security standards and procedures, ever mindful of new developments in technology for protecting information. All of our operational and data processing systems as well as those of our vendors operate in a secure environment that protects your account information from access by third parties. We maintain and grant access to customer information only in accordance with our internal security standards.

Restriction on the Disclosure of Account Information

We do not reveal specific information about your accounts or other personally identifiable data to third parties for their independent use unless:

• You request or authorize it;
• It is necessary to complete transactions initiated by you;
• To verify the existence and condition of your account for a third party, such as the credit bureau, a merchant or another financial institution;
• To comply with government agencies or court orders;
• For the investigation or prosecution of alleged fraudulent activity concerning your account.

Maintaining Customer Privacy in Business Relationships with Third Parties

When our bank conducts business with third parties, including the marketing of our own products or services, or joint marketing of financial products or services offered pursuant to joint agreements between our bank and another financial institution, we require our vendors and suppliers to maintain similar standards of conduct regarding the privacy of personally identifiable customer information.

We do not provide account or personal information to outside companies for the purpose of independent telemarketing or direct mail marketing of any non-financial service.

Providing Privacy Information to Customers and Responding to Inquires

At First Citrus Bank, we value each and every customer relationship. We want you to understand how we use the information you provide and our commitment to ensuring your personal privacy. If you have any questions about how we protect your confidential information, please call (813)792-7177.

Employment

First Citrus Bank aims to become the independent premier bank in Tampa Bay, recognized for integrity, teamwork and professionalism. Based on the aforementioned core values, and with the cardinal business principle of "safety and soundness first," First Citrus Bank takes pride in our professional, high quality, and skilled associates.

First Citrus Bank's Carrollwood Office has an opening for an experienced full time Customer Service Representative /Teller.

First Citrus Bank has openings for the following positions:

Full-time experienced Head Teller, Kennedy Office

Full time Teller, Brandon Office

Full time experienced Teller/New Accounts Representative, floater for all branch locations

Applicants are requested to submit their resume by fax only. Please fax your resume to 813-792-9677. Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities at First Citrus Bank.