News:

11^TH ANNUAL TEE TIME FOR TOTS GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES OVER $9,400 FOR CAUSE

Community Bank & Trust of Florida’s 11^th Annual Tee Time for Tots Golf Tournament was held April 13^th at Eagle Ridge Golf Club to benefit the Marion County Public Schools Homeless Children and Youth Program.  Over the past 11 years, with the generous help of employees, customers and sponsors, Community Bank & Trust of Florida’s golf tournaments have raised and donated $103,350 exclusively for the benefit of local children.  This year alone, the tournament raised and donated $9,459. 

“As a community bank it is our duty to assist those who are less fortunate in our community,” said Hugh Dailey, president of Community Bank & Trust of Florida. “It is an honor and a privilege that we are able to organize this event every year that impacts so many children in our community.”

“What a difference this donation makes for the over 2,000 homeless children in our community,” said Suzanne McGuire, homeless Liaison for Marion County Schools. “It all stays local in our community and this support is appreciated so much.”

The Marion County Schools Homeless Children and Youth Program provides recognized homeless children with support in the form of school supplies, clothing, personal hygiene items, emergency food, and other individual needs as identified. For more information on this worthwhile cause contact the Homeless Children and Youth Program at (352) 671-6847.

Florida Community Bankshares, Inc., the holding company for Community Bank & Trust of Florida, announced its financial results for the first quarter 2013. The company reported Total Assets of $585.5 million as of March 31, 2013 as well as Net Income of $1.176 million for the quarter, a 38 percent improvement from the prior year. The company also reported that Total Capital increased to $60.3 million or 10.30 percent of Total Assets. Delinquent Loans were 0.16 percent of Total Loans Outstanding and Non-Performing Assets were 1.28 percent of Total Assets, both improved from last year.

“Our bank is very proud of our first quarter results. Our employees and customers have worked hard to navigate through some very difficult times,” said Hugh Dailey, president of Community Bank & Trust of Florida. “As the economy improves, our bank has plenty of resources to enable local families and businesses to move forward. We have been around for fifteen years and will continue to provide superior financial products and services to our community.”

The Independent Community Bankers of America ® (ICBA) and community banks nationwide continue to recognize April as ICBA Community Banking Month. The association and its nearly 5,000 community bank members are reminding everyone of the vital role community banks serve in supporting local small businesses. Community banks are crucial in helping local economies thrive because they operate locally and put local deposits back to work in the community through loans to local residents and small businesses.

"Community banks are invested in our communities and our customers. As a small business ourselves, Community Bank and Trust of Florida only prospers when our customers and communities do the same, so taking care of customers and looking out for the best interests of our community is ingrained in what we do," said Hugh Dailey, president of Community Bank & Trust of Florida.” “Everyone in our local community is ready to recover financially, the last several years have been very tough and we are here to help get our local economy going strong“

By driving local economies and creating local jobs, community banks are an essential part of our nation’s financial system. Community banks are the primary source of lending for small businesses and farms. For their size, community banks are prolific small business lenders—providing a substantial number of small business loans across the country, including Small Business Administration loans. In fact, even though they comprise just 10 percent of the banking industry by assets, community banks provide nearly 60 percent of loans to small businesses.

Community Bank & Trust of Florida, a leading community bank in North Central Florida, celebrated its 15^th Anniversary on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. The bank has shown consistent profitability since its inception, beginning with $7.6 million in capital that its leadership team has grown to $43 million over the last 15 years.

“We are pleased to celebrate offering safe and secure banking to the folks of this community for 15 years,” said Hugh Dailey, president of Community Bank & Trust of Florida. “We have built a strong foundation through some tough economic times and we are well positioned for continued growth”

Community Bank & Trust of Florida started with one branch in West Marion County with the mission of offering its clients high quality financial solutions with personalized customer service. The bank has since grown to 9 offices across three counties, added trust and investment services to their list of products and continues to offer its clients a high-touch, high-tech approach to banking.

“Our growth is evidence that local consumers and businesses still appreciate a refreshing alternative to the Mega banks,” said Dailey. “We always re-invest in our communities to help keep this area a great place to live. We also provide over 118 local jobs and are proud to be responsible corporate tax paying citizens.”

Community Bank & Trust will commemorate this milestone with celebrations at each of their offices throughout the month.

Community Bank & Trust of Florida is presenting art influenced by Latin textiles by local artist Elayne Dubin at their Gainesville office. Dubin is a renowned artist known for her acrylic paintings using a technique she calls “Textile Traditions” which uses whittled chopsticks to achieve the look of weavings on canvas.

The exhibit, which features 10 pieces, opened on Monday, March 11 at the Oaks office of Community Bank & Trust of Florida, 6120 NW 1^st Place, Gainesville. The exhibit will be on display through May and is free and open to the public during bank hours, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday –Thursday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday.

“This collection is a retrospective show for Elayne,” said Emily Humphreys –Beher, assistant vice president and Trust Officer at Community Bank & Trust of Florida who is coordinating the event.  “It's a rare chance to view a body of work with an unusual perspective on folk art from a different culture." 

Dubin, a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, began searching for her own personal style by traveling the world. During her time in Spain she became drawn to the bright colors of the local art and woven textures. Dubin began creating 3-D stylized visualizations of weavings using acrylic paint and whittled chopsticks. She has completed more than 90 paintings and has had her work on display at such fine institutes as the Peruvian Embassy and Organization of American States.

For more information on Elayne Dubin, visit Green Heron Art Studio on Facebook.

Many in the community may not realize what a financial undertaking it is to participate in the Southeastern Youth Fair. The participants and their families buy these animals in the Fall with their own money and must keep detailed financial records of all monies spent to raise and feed the animal. This is done in hopes of, at the very least, a break even at the fair.

As a supporter of the Southeastern Youth Fair, Community Bank & Trust of Florida is pleased to offer a loan option for participants in the Youth Fair Steer and Hog Program that may not be able to afford this undertaking. Participants may apply for a loan with an adult applicant in the amount of $1,500 for steer projects and $600 for hog projects. If approved, the participant along with an adult applicant will be required to execute loan documents for repayment.

“We feel that it is important to support the activities of our community’s youth,” said Hugh Dailey, president of Community Bank & Trust of Florida. “This loan program is provided to these participants to allow them an opportunity to buy now and pay over time. It’s also a great way to teach them the importance of good financing.”

The purpose of the loan program is to fund the purchase of the steer or hog and to supplement ongoing expenses such as feed and veterinary care as needed. The loan, which matures on April 15^th of the following year, has a primary repayment source of the sale of the steer or hog.

This year, Community Bank & Trust of Florida financed seven participants in the fair for a total of $4,200. In the past three years they have offered this program they have financed 12 participants for a total of $8,700 in loans. 

“Financial education is our primary goal for the project,” said Dailey. “We are heavily involved in several other projects that also promote financial literacy. We are committed to helping improve financial education in our community.”

Community Bank & Trust of Florida is presenting equestrian art work by local artist Mary Verrandeaux. Mary Verrandeaux is a renowned artist known for her realistic oil and pastel paintings of portraits, animals and landscapes.  

The exhibit, which features 8 pieces, opened on Friday, February 1^st in the lobby at Community Bank & Trust of Florida, 1603 SW 19^th Avenue. The exhibit will be on display through April 1, 2013 and is free and open to the public during bank hours, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday –Thursday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday.

“We are pleased to host this exhibition of Verrandeaux’s exceptional work,” said Emily Humphreys –Beher, assistant vice president and Trust Officer at Community Bank & Trust of Florida who is coordinating the event. “Her work is extraordinary, particularly the crisp quality of her pastels. It’s wonderful to find this class of work in our local area, and we should do more to promote it.”

Verrandeaux, a graduate of Ringling College of Art & Design and a former marketing professional, began to pursue commissioned portrait work in 1999. She decided to follow her dream of being a full-time artist in 2006 after selling her Communications company. Verrandeaux travels around the country to numerous equestrian shows throughout the year welcoming the exposure of new covers and potential new clients.

“I am honored that Community Bank &Trust of Florida thought enough of my work to display it in their lobby,” said Mary Verrandeaux. “I really love to paint... portraits, animals, or landscapes. I truly love the freedom and the variety of a fine artist.

I have finally found my calling. There is not a day that goes by that I don't see something I want to turn into a painting.”

For more information on Mary Verrandeaux, or to see more of her work, visit www.mverrandeaux.com

Ann Tallman joined Community Bank &Trust of Florida on January 2nd as Vice President/Trust Officer for its Villages office.

Tallman comes to Community Bank & Trust of Florida with over 30 years of wealth management and trust experience. In this role, she will oversee business development and relationship management in the Trust Department for The Villages and surrounding areas.

Tallman previously worked for First National Bank of Mount Dora as Vice President and Trust Officer. Prior to that, she was Vice President and Trust Officer for Huntington National Bank in Leesburg.

Tallman is a graduate of the Florida Bankers Association Trust Graduate School at the University of Florida, attended Lake-Sumter Community College, and has earned her Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA) and Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) designations.  Tallman is a member of the Florida Bankers Association Trust Division’s Executive and Education Committees, National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, Central Florida Estate Planning Council, the Philanthropic Advisors Council of Central Florida, as well as a Board member of Cornerstone Hospice Foundation.  She is the Chairman of the 2012 Florida Bankers Association Wealth Management Conference, President of the Mid-Florida Estate Planning Council, Audit Chair of the Business and Professional Women of North Lake and a mentor with the Lake/Sumter Take Stock in Children program.  She was also named the 2010 Florida Bankers Association Trust Banker of the Year. 

Florida Community Bankshares, Inc., the holding company for Community Bank & Trust of Florida, announced its financial results for 2012. The company reported Total Assets of $569.7 million as of December 31, 2012 as well as Net Income of $4.713 million for the year, a 90 percent improvement from the prior year.  The company also reported that Total Capital increased to $59.9 million or 10.53 percent of Total Assets. Delinquent Loans were 0.37 percent of Total Loans Outstanding and Non-Performing Assets were 1.45 percent of Total Assets, both improved from last year. The audited results are expected to be available in March, 2013.     

The financial performance of the company created the opportunity for the board to increase the company’s dividend for its shareholders by 50 percent. On January 16^th, the company mailed dividend checks of $0.15 per share to its shareholders.

“We are locally owned and operated. Our loyal customers and dedicated employees continued to grow our company in a weak economy,” said Hugh Dailey, president and CEO of Community Bank and Trust of Florida. “We opened our ninth office near Spruce Creek and have plenty of funds to lend as local business conditions gradually improve. We are committed to help local folks recover and create jobs as we move toward full employment and local prosperity.”

Community Bank & Trust of Florida was established in 1998. The bank is a member of the FDIC and currently has 9 full-service banking offices with locations in Belleview, Gainesville, Ocala, Summerfield and The Villages. Its primary businesses are comprised of deposit, credit, trust, residential loans, commercial loans and investment services. The company has over $569 million in assets and employs 118 people.