JACKSONVILLE - Florida Bank Group, Inc. announced today the grand opening of its recently chartered subsidiary, Bank of North Florida, (BONF) which is headquartered in downtown Jacksonville. Bank of North Florida will open for business Monday, December 4, 2006. Its flagship branch is located at 135 West Bay St. The hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Florida Bank Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Rothman said, "Jacksonville, as one of this country's key growth markets, is home to a tremendous breadth of professionals, businesses and consumers desiring a global vision of financial services delivered with an intimate knowledge of this unique city. It is an ideal region for expansion."

"Many banks operating in our city are actually headquartered in other states," commented BONF Chairman of the Board Thomas E. Gibbs. "Local ownership and local governance will result in informed decision making as we contribute to Jacksonville's continued growth."

J. Stewart Baker will serve as president and CEO of Bank of North Florida. "After 26 years in the Jacksonville financial services market, I have built a team that will serve the local market's demand for a more sophisticated brand of truly community-focused banking," he stated. "We understand this region's needs and will deliver an expansive product offering at a service level unique among our competitors regardless of size."

The branch will be managed by Tanya Guydos who brings 11 years experience in the financial services industry. Guydos comes to Bank of North Florida from Merrill Lynch Global Private Client Group where she served as manager of direct client services. She will be charged with delivering the full capabilities of the bank to individuals and businesses in the Jacksonville region.

Bank of North Florida is a full-service community bank providing individual consumers and businesses across the Jacksonville market with a wide array of retail and commercial financial services. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Florida Bank Group, Inc.

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