Florida Banking April/May 2026

PERSONAL TRANSACTIONS

Locality Bank Announces Holding Company Formation, Leadership Promotions

Locality Bank announced several strategic initiatives and leadership promotions as part of its growth plans for 2026. The bank is in the process of forming a financial holding company, Locality Bancshares, Inc., which will become the sole shareholder of Locality Bank. Upon completion, existing bank shareholders will transition to shareholders of the holding company. The move is designed to support future expansion into complementary business lines. As part of this strategy, Locality Bancshares plans to establish a technology subsidiary, Locality Ventures, which will focus on developing proprietary technology solutions tailored to specific industries and use cases. These initiatives remain subject to regulatory and shareholder approval. The bank’s day-to-day operations and client relationships will remain unchanged.

In conjunction with these developments, the bank announced several leadership promotions: • Drew Saito was promoted to President of Locality Bank and will continue serving as Chief Lending Officer. • Corey LeBlanc was named CEO of Locality Ventures and will continue in his role as the bank’s CTO. • Michelle Gioia was promoted to COO, in addition to her current role as CFO. • Susan Huffman was promoted to Vice President. • Beverly Williams was promoted to Assistant Vice President. All changes became effective March 1.

Community Bank announced it has named Christie Austin as Senior Vice President. Austin recently served as Vice President and has been in the banking and finance industry for 17 years. In her new role, she will continue to grow and build her consumer/commercial loan and deposit portfolio in the Okaloosa County market. Austin is a graduate of the University of Florida School of Banking. The bank also announced it has named Linnette Wolfgram President for Walton County. Wolfgram recently served as SVP and has been in the banking and finance industry for 35 years. In her new role, she will continue to grow her consumer/commercial loan and deposit portfolio while managing the Walton County office. Wolfgram is a graduate of Northwest Florida State College with an associates of arts degree in accounting and is attending the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. Hall brings customer service, banking and administrative experience to her role. She has served as a senior relationship banker for a regional financial institution, has worked in business development for a national investment and financial services organization, and has expertise as a licensed real estate broker. Hall earned her bachelor of arts degree from George Mason University in Virginia. Community Bank Promotes Wolfgram, Names Austin SVP Sanibel Captive Community Bank Announces Promotion, New Hires Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced the promotion of Erin Ball to office manager at the bank’s Bridge Branch. Ball will manage daily operations and customer relationships, including business and consumer banking. She previously served as the Bridge Branch’s interim branch manager and retail training coordinator. She joined the bank in 2020 as a teller and customer service representative at the bank’s Winkler Branch. The bank also announced hiring Kyra Ward as a teller and Jennifer Hall as a customer service representative and teller at the bank’s Main Office, Sanibel. Ward brings customer service, banking and administrative experience to her role, including a previous role serving as a bank teller and client advisor with a regional community bank. Her background in customer interaction, cash handling and front desk service will support the bank’s commitment to providing personal, community focused service to customers throughout Southwest Florida.

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22 | FLORIDA BANKING