Florida Banking December 2025/January 2026

Inspiring The Next Generation Bank on Your Future at UWF and FSU

On Sept. 24, Pensacola-area bankers participated in the University of West Florida’s first Bank on Your Future event, held at the Lewis Bear, Jr. College of Business. Bank on Your Future is part of FBA’s efforts to draw, retain and train the future banking workforce. The banker panelists spoke to a finance class of 55 students, sharing stories about their personal career paths before addressing questions about careers and professional development in banking, and industry trends. Following the panel discussion, students and bankers gathered in the Lewis Bear, Jr. College of Business Atrium to have one-on one conversations and make connections.

Letty Newton, FBA; Norris McMahon, MidSouth Bank; Charlie Sherrill, SouthState Bank; Fred Leopold, Community Bank; Bruce Vredenburg, Hancock Whitney Bank; Kyle Seals, Synovus Bank; Mark Canada, Hancock Whitney Bank; Larry Portillo, Community Bank; Lesley Jordan, FBA

University of West Florida Panelists: • Larry Portillo, Community Bank • Bruce Vredenburg, Hancock Whitney Bank

• Norris McMahon, MidSouth Bank • Charlie Sherrill, SouthState Bank • William “Kyle” Seals, Synovus Bank

On Oct. 21, North Florida bankers and FBA staff members met with The Finance Society at the Florida State University (FSU) College of Business. The Finance Society is focused on helping FSU finance students prepare for careers in four categories: Investment Banking & Alternatives; Corporate, Commercial, and Community Banking; Corporate Finance & Treasury; and Wealth & Asset Management. Speaking to a standing-room only crowd, the banker panel addressed topics such as leadership in banking, professional development, the future of banking careers and the state of banking. FSU Panelists: • Ray Thompson, Ameris Bank • Ben Bowersox, Capital City Investments • Kim Smiley, Centennial Bank • Chandler Burt, Community Bank • Chip Cicchetti, Hancock Whitney Bank • Monté Ward, Prime Meridian Bank Thank you to our Bank on Your Future School Year Sponsors and panelists, and a special thank you to our moderator of both panels — Fred Leopold, Coast Region Chief Lending Officer, Community Bank. We appreciate your support of Bank on Your Future and your commitment to shepherding Florida’s banking workforce!

Bank on Your Future at FSU drew a standing-room only crowd of students.

Monte Ward of Prime Meridian Bank speaks to an FSU student.

Ben Bowersox of Capital City Investments speaks to FSU students.

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