ENGLEWOOD, Fla., Oct. 29, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peninsula Bank announced that the board of directors has named Anthony N. Leo as Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Bank, subject to the approval of state and federal bank regulators. Mr. Leo has received preliminary approval from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and until his appointment is finalized by all authorities, will serve as Acting CEO.
"Tony brings to Peninsula 25 years of broad banking experience," commented Carlo LoRicco, Chairman of the Board, "and we anticipate that his expertise will have a far-reaching, positive impact on our organization." For the past 14 years, Mr. Leo served in various leadership roles at Community Banks, Inc., most recently as its chief administrative officer. His areas of responsibility included strategic planning, sales and marketing, retail banking, legal and compliance, financial services and loan and deposit operations, among others. Mr. Leo was instrumental in the restructure and recovery of a troubled Community Banks' predecessor.
Mr. LoRicco, continued, "Tony's past turnaround experience brings a valuable skill set as we work toward building a stronger institution for the long term. His strengths dovetail with the strategic shift we are contemplating at Peninsula, toward a greater focus on retail banking and the development of multi-service relationships with both retail and commercial customers."
Mr. Leo most recently was a managing member of Consumer First Associates, LLC, a bank organizational group. From 1993 to 2007, he was Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Community Banks, Inc., a diversified financial institution based in Harrisburg, PA, with total assets of approximately $4 billion prior to its acquisition by Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. in late 2007. He also served as corporate counsel for approximately 10 years at FB&T Corporation in Hanover, PA and The National Bank of Washington, D.C.
Mr. Leo holds a B.A. With Distinction in political science and a J.D. degree, both from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia and State of Maryland, and has served on numerous community and charitable boards.
About Peninsula Bank
Peninsula Bank, a Florida state-chartered community bank, has thirteen branches across the State of Florida. Executive headquarters are located in Sarasota, Florida. On the east coast, five branches are located in Palm Beach County, one branch in Miami-Dade County, and one in Broward County. On the west coast of Florida, three branches are located in Charlotte County and three in Sarasota County. Peninsula Bank is a member of the FDIC, which provides insurance up to the maximum allowable limits on all depository accounts.