STUART, Fla., May 17, 2021 –Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida (“Seacoast”) (NASDAQ: SBCF), one of the largest community banks based in Florida, today announced that it has hired Chris Rolle to serve as president of the West Florida region, effective immediately. In this role, Rolle will lead the bank’s commercial banking growth strategy in the market, reporting to Austen Carroll, executive vice president and chief lending officer.
Rolle’s 15+ years of experience in the commercial banking industry complement Seacoast’s growing presence in the region. As a former executive at Synovus Bank, Florida Community Bank, and BB&T, Rolle brings a wealth of market knowledge and expertise to Seacoast Bank.
“Chris will add tremendous value to Seacoast and our customers in both the short and long term,” said Austen Carroll, executive vice president and chief lending officer of Seacoast Bank. “He has demonstrated tremendous success in the Tampa Bay area and Central Florida market. The West Florida region represents a significant growth opportunity for Seacoast, and Chris brings strategic leadership and market knowledge that will accelerate our growth strategy.”
In 2020, Seacoast acquired Freedom Bank of St. Petersburg. The transaction was Seacoast’s third in the last three years in the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”), the second-largest and one of the fastest-growing MSAs in Florida. Seacoast entered the market in 2017 with the acquisition of GulfShore Bank and NorthStar Bank.
“Seacoast is well-positioned to expand market share with an approach that offers the unique blend of the technological convenience of large banks and the personalization and speed to market of smaller banks. I’ve been impressed with Seacoast’s growth trajectory and see tremendous potential, especially in the Tampa Bay area and Southwest Florida,” Rolle said. “I look forward to continuing the bank’s legacy of service excellence."
Rolle holds a bachelor’s degree in business and global trade commerce from Wake Forest University, a graduate degree in banking from the Stonier Banking School, and an executive leadership certificate from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.
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