Florida Banking October/November 2025

KUDOS

SFBJ Names Locality Bank No. 1 Fastest Growing Company of 2025

T he South Florida Business Journal named Locality Bank the No. 1 Fastest Growing Company of 2025 (Under $25M in Revenue). Locality Bank launched in early 2022 to fill a critical void in South Florida’s business banking landscape. At the time, the region hadn’t seen a new community bank open its doors in over a decade. The award is based on verified revenue growth from 2022 to 2024. Locality’s climb to the top reflects strategic execution, community commitment and an ability to scale without losing sight of its core values. “This recognition is a testament to our extraordinary team and the businesses that believed in us from Day One,” said FBA Chair Keith Costello, Co-Founder, President & CEO. “We’re building something rare, an institution rooted in community, powered by technology, and fueled by people who genuinely care.” As Locality Bank continues to grow, its leadership remains focused on staying deeply rooted in the communities it serves. U .S. Century Bank announced a strategic partnership with GoVA Foundation to provide free digital financial education to low- and moderate-income military families through GoVA's innovative platform, The Edge. Through a Community Development grant from U.S. Century Bank, the program will serve 10 qualified military households in Broward County.

“We exist to help entrepreneurs reach their potential,” Costello said. “That mission guides every decision we make, whether it’s the tech we build, the talent we hire, or the clients we serve.” To read more about Locality Bank, see the June/July 2025 issue of Florida Banking magazine.

U.S. Century Bank Supports Financial Education Access

The Edge platform offers interactive courses, financial calculators and other digital resources designed to build financial independence and literacy within the military community. The partnership provides these families with unlimited access to the platform’s resources for 12 months.

Cogent Bank Announces Bradenton Banking Center

C ogent Bank announced its newest expansion to Sarasota and Manatee counties, where the community bank will service the growing population and local businesses in the region. The new Bradenton banking center is located at 1001 Third Ave. West. “Cogent Bank is eager to provide exceptional financial services to the residents of Bradenton and the surrounding regions,” said Mikel Sharpe, Cogent Bank senior vice president, market president in Manatee and Sarasota counties.“Our

Downtown Bradenton banking center will provide financial services to the local community through our business, personal and private banking services.” The bank’s new location is set to complete its West Coast buildout with full-service banking centers already in Tampa, Clearwater, Fort Myers and Naples, and a Loan Production Residential Lending office in Sarasota.

Mikel Sharpe

WWW.FLORIDABANKERS.COM OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2025 — 27