Florida Bank Group

April 30, 2007
Reporters May Contact:
Christina Beyer
Florida Bank Group, Inc.
813-334-8036
cbeyer@floridabankgroup.com

Florida Bank Group, Inc. Names New Chief Executive Corey J. Coughlin will lead holding company growth plans

TAMPA -- Florida Bank Group, Inc. (FBG), today announced that Corey J. Coughlin, a 37-year Florida banking veteran, has been hired as chief executive officer of the Tampa-based bank holding company. He will be charged with driving the next phase of its statewide expansion strategy. Robert Rothman, whose CEO role Coughlin is assuming, will continue as the executive chairman of the organization.

"We are excited to add Corey to our team providing a tremendous depth of banking experience, keen understanding of the Florida marketplace and a reputation for strong leadership," Rothman stated. "We are fortunate to add a banker of his stature as a complement to our existing team."

The rapidly growing holding company, which launched its first de novo bank last December and will close the acquisition of its third subsidiary tomorrow, will continue to emphasize its roots in community banking. Its flagship operation, Bank of St. Petersburg, will continue to be led by President and CEO Joseph L. Caballero. Rothman stated, "This new position at the holding company has been designed to allow the bank presidents to concentrate on the personal service our local clients expect and the implementation of subsidiary business plans."

"This is a dynamic company, which I have admired and am very excited to join," commented Coughlin. "The vision of a Florida-based bank holding company with multiple community bank subsidiaries in major markets is a model that presents exceptional opportunities."

Caballero added, "Our model is built on service, and while we expand, we need to stay focused on our commitment to our local clients in each market. This new structure will foster greater opportunity for direct client contact and the execution of key local growth strategies." Caballero will continue to sit on the boards of directors of Bank of North Florida and Bank of Tallahassee.

Coughlin joins FBG today. Most recently, he was president and CEO of First State Financial Corporation of Sarasota. Previously, he was president and COO of CNB National Bank and president and CEO of First Bancshares, Inc. Coughlin holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY and degrees from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and the Commercial Lending Graduate School at University of Oklahoma.

Florida Bank Group, Inc.
Florida Bank Group, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Tampa, Florida, which currently conducts banking operations through three wholly-owned subsidiaries, Bank of St. Petersburg, Bank of North Florida and Bank of Tallahassee. Bank of St. Petersburg was founded in 1985 and operates seven branches located in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Chartered in December 2006, Bank of North Florida is headquartered in downtown Jacksonville, with one bank office. Bank of Tallahassee operates three banking offices in Leon County. FBG had $557 million in assets and $100 million in capital at March 31, 2007.

< Back to Press Releases