Florida Banking June/July 2026

Learn, Earn and Return Former Florida Senator Garrett Richter Becomes 2026-27 FBA Chairman

G arrett Richter’s path to the chairmanship of the Florida Bankers Association has been anything but conventional. From his early days at Mellon Bank to military service in Vietnam, to founding one of Florida’s most successful community banks and serving in the Florida Legislature, Richter has built a career defined by leadership, resilience and a deep commitment to service. As he steps into his role as FBA Chair for 2026 27, he brings a unique perspective shaped by decades in banking, public policy and community engagement. In this conversation, Richter reflects on the experiences that shaped him, the challenges and opportunities Florida’s banking industry faces, and the priorities guiding his year ahead. Q. Your career spans military service, founding a bank, serving in the Florida House and Senate, including as President pro tempore and now as Florida Market President for Sunflower Bank. How have those experiences prepared you to serve as FBA chair? A. I started my banking career as a janitor at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh in 1969. During my time with Mellon, I received a job offer I couldn’t refuse that provided training and travel – from the U.S. Army. They trained me and sent me to Vietnam, where I served on a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol with the 75th Rangers. When I returned home, I went back to work immediately with Mellon Bank as a bill collector. Seventeen years later, in 1987 Mellon transferred me to Naples to start a financial services company. In 1988, I left Mellon to join Gary Tice as we started a community bank—First National Bank of Naples. We grew that bank to become one of the largest community banks headquartered in Florida, with 77 branch locations, a trust company and an insurance agency. In 2005, Fifth Third bought our bank, and I entered politics. I was fortunate to be elected to the Florida Senate twice, both times unopposed. Having no opposition permitted me to focus on policy rather than politics. My banking career has included aiding in the establishment of three de novo banks, the acquisition of 13 banks in Florida

and being acquired four times. My military, banking and political careers have given me many different perspectives, the greatest of which I believe is a focus on the Golden Rule – you treat people the way you want them to treat you. I believe that’s one of the most critical ingredients of good leadership. Q. You chaired the Senate banking and insurance committee during your time in office. How does that experience shape your perspective on today’s regulatory and policy environment for Florida banks? A. When I was in the Florida Senate, I was honored to chair the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee for four years. Having worked in the banking industry for so long, I’ve seen it go from under regulated to over regulated, to deregulated, to re-regulated, and now to way over regulated. Dodd Frank resulted in a huge bureaucracy, creating unreasonable and unnecessary regulations that reduced banks’ ability to best serve our communities. Tailoring regulations to address the strategic risks banks take on, rather than an extensive one-size-fits-all approach, is the right and best regulatory path. Q. Having served on the legislative side, what do you think lawmakers most need to understand about the role banks play in strengthening Florida’s economy and communities? A. Lawmakers need to understand that banks act as vital engines for local economic cycles and community stability. Our role extends far beyond transactions, fueling growth through targeted lending and partnerships with community organizations. Banks typically embrace and meet commitments to four groups—their customers, communities, employees and shareholders. These commitments drive our success. Frequent communication with our lawmakers is vital. If we don’t influence the recipe, we can’t complain about the cake. When we do influence the recipe, we can be proud of the results. One tool to help FBA members influence the recipe and become strong participants is the FBA’s Advocacy in Action Learn, Earn and Return, Continued on page 10

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