Florida Banking August 2023

brand-new building will likely open within the next year. In May, the team expanded into Boston, about 10 miles east of Barwick, having been approached by the city to fill a need in the underserved community. When the previous local bank left town, it refused to let another bank move into the space. So Barwick

“We try to source everything locally,” Bange said. Bowling adds,“That’s also how we operate the bank. We take in our deposits locally and we lend locally. We spend our time and money here.” The bank’s tagline is “For Locals. By Locals.” The Barwick Banking Company, Continued from page 9

bank is involved in the local community — sponsoring little leagues, surf competitions — and strongly encourages employees to serve and donate their time. Leadership hires people within the markets to manage each branch. Bowling, for example, has lived in St. Augustine for nearly 20 years. When it comes to hiring, Bowling prioritizes character and work ethic over banking experience. “We can teach the nuts and bolts of banking,” Bowling said. “But you can’t teach customer service skills, or ethics.” Today, Barwick Bank has

Bank moved into City Hall, and City Hall moved into the old bank building. “We’re going to focus on growing in the markets we’re in,” Bange said. “Our customers who have banked with us for a long time have needs, and they’re growing. We get a lot of business from those customers’ referrals. They tell their friends and family, who then come to bank with us. We’ve grown organically.” While bank leadership is certainly proud of the bank’s growth in the last three years, they are most grateful for a successful transition and for the

“WE TAKE IN OUR DEPOSITS LOCALLY AND WE LEND LOCALLY. WE SPEND OUR TIME AND MONEY HERE.”

- CHAD BOWLING

branches in Barwick and Boston, Ga., as well as St. Augustine, Daytona Beach and Gainesville. The Daytona Beach office opened in early spring. The St. Augustine branch is under construction while leadership works out of a temporary office; the

favor of their communities. “I think our employee and customer loyalty is the best thing to be proud of,” Bowling said. “I feel like we’re making a difference in the communities we serve.”

The Barwick Bank senior management team, from left: EVP / Chief Lending Officer Mark Chastain, EVP / Chief Financial Officer John Hodas, Executive Vice Chairman Jim Bange, EVP / Chief Operations Officer Gail Baker, and President & CEO Chad Bowling.

10 — FLORIDA BANKING THE VOICE OF FLORIDA BANKING