Florida Banking April/May 2026

Faces of the Foundation By Ingrid Phipps, Market Retail Leader, Centennial Bank Master of Business Administration, Saint Leo University, August 2025

I am honored to be featured as a recipient of the Florida Bankers Educational Foundation (FBEF) Scholarship. This recognition represents one of the most meaningful milestones in my academic and professional journeys. As the first person in my family to attend college, pursuing higher education represents more than earning a degree; it represents breaking generational barriers and creating new opportunities for those who will follow. I was born in Nicaragua and raised in Key West since I was three years old. Growing up in such a close-knit and vibrant community shaped my values of hard work, resilience, and service. Key West is more than where I live, it is home. It is the community that helped raise me, and now it is the community I have the privilege to serve professionally. Balancing a full-time career in banking while completing my degree has required discipline, resilience and a strong sense of purpose. Today, I serve as a Market Retail Leader overseeing branches in Key West with Centennial Bank. In this role, I lead teams, support branch performance and ensure our customers receive exceptional service built on trust and accountability. Continuing my education while advancing in my career has strengthened my ability to lead with confidence and make informed decisions that benefit both our customers and our employees. I believe sometimes we do not fully realize our impact as bankers. I have heard individuals say, “Oh, they are just bankers,” as though the role is insignificant. What they fail to see is that banking is deeply woven into the fabric of our communities. We are at the very root of financial interdependence with the individuals and businesses we serve. Bankers are often the first to hear about life’s most meaningful milestones whether it is purchasing a first vehicle, buying a home, expanding a business or welcoming a growing family. How we respond, how we engage and how we lead directly influences local economic growth and stability. Working at Centennial Bank brings me great pride. We understand that customers entrust us with more than deposits; they entrust us with their financial security. We manage their funds with the utmost care, responsibility and ethical oversight. In times of economic uncertainty, especially when we have witnessed turmoil in financial markets and bank failures due to a lack of sound risk management and oversight, the importance of education becomes even more evident. Knowledge is not optional in banking — it is essential. Education equips us to protect our customers, guide our teams and uphold the integrity of the financial system.

The support from the FBEF has eased the financial burden of tuition and allowed me to remain focused on excelling academically while advancing professionally. It has also reminded me that there are leaders and donors who believe in investing in hardworking bankers committed to development and community impact. After completing my master’s degree, I truly feel that the sky is the limit. That accomplishment was not an ending, but a beginning. I am preparing to return to school to pursue my doctorate, continuing the commitment to lifelong learning that has shaped my career and my leadership philosophy. For bankers considering returning to school or pursuing higher education, my encouragement is simple: do not underestimate your potential. There may never be a perfect time, but there will always be value in growth. Education builds confidence, sharpens leadership and prepares us to navigate an ever-evolving financial landscape with clarity and responsibility. Education has opened doors I once only imagined, and I am determined to continue growing not just for myself, but for my family, my team and the community I serve. I am deeply grateful to the FBA and FBEF for championing education within our profession. This scholarship has made a meaningful difference in my life and career. My hope is that my journey from Nicaragua to Key West, from first generation college student to community banking leader encourages others to recognize that we are not “just bankers.” We are advisors, community partners, leaders, and stewards of financial trust — and the work we do truly matters! Working to advance your career through education? We’re here to help! Visit FloridaBankers.com/FBEF for more information. The FBEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Registration #CH7621. Organized in 1956, the FBEF continues to help bankers throughout Florida today.

18 | FLORIDA BANKING