Florida Banking December 2021 | January 2022

KUDOS

Lafayette State Bank Receives Business of the Year Award

L afayette State Bank was awarded the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce “Large Business of the Year Award.” The award is given annually based on nominations from Chamber members and is awarded to the business that has the greatest impact on the community. “This is truly a team award because every member of the Lafayette State Bank family plays a vital role in the services that we provide to our community. We’re all so humbled by this recognition,” said President and CEO Jim Esry.

R obin L. Cook, executive vice president and wealth services advisor at Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, has received her CTFA (Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor) designation. The CTFA is a professional designation offered through the American Bankers Association, which provides training and knowledge in taxes, investments, financial planning, trusts and estates. “Although I’ve enjoyed more than 30 years in the wealth services industry, I’ve always felt it is vital to keep learning and elevate my knowledge base for the benefit of our clients,” Cook said. Cook joined The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company’s Wealth Services Team in 2013 to cultivate new business relationships and assist clients in refining their investment and estate planning strategies to meet the lifestyle needs for them and their families. “We’re proud of Robin for securing this latest designation,” said Al Hanser, founder and chairman of The Trust Company.“The CTFA designation reinforces Lafayette State Bank is independently owned and operated and has served Lafayette, Suwannee, Gilchrist and surrounding counties since 1946. The team provides financial and manpower support to local schools, clubs like FFA and 4H, and food pantries and resource centers like the Pregnancy Care Center of Live Oak. As the last Agriculture bank in the state of Florida, the Board supports farming by

From L to R: Vice President and Live Oak Branch Manager Gloria Camejo Arroyo, Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce President Hannah Skinner, and Lafayette State Bank President and CEO Jim Esry.

giving farmland and equipment loans to help farmers improve their efficiencies.

Robin Cook Receives CTFA Designation

that we act in the client’s best interest first and foremost.” Among her many accomplishments, Cook has earned her Certified Wealth Strategist Designation, is a graduate of The Florida School of Banking, and graduated Leadership Cape Coral. Earlier in her career she held the Series 7, Series 63, and Florida Life

Robin L. Cook

Insurance licenses. She has served on the board of directors for The Captiva Island Historical Society, The Cape Coral Community Foundation and Gulf Coast Village. Cook is currently a member of the Sanibel Captiva Rotary and The Sanibel Captiva Business Women’s Association.

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