Florida Banking October/November 2025

A Century of Community First National Bank of Mount Dora Marks 100 Years

BY SUELLEN WILKINS, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

I n the heart of Lake County, where small-town charm meets steady growth, the First National Bank of Mount Dora has stood as a trusted financial partner for 100 years. Established in 1925 to serve the needs of a developing community, the bank has weathered economic cycles, embraced technological change, and remained unwavering in its commitment to personal service. As it marks its centennial in 2025, the leadership team reflects on the values that have guided the institution from the beginning — and the vision that will carry it forward into its second century. A Legacy Rooted in Community From the beginning, FNBMD was founded to serve the needs of local families and businesses. “It was a small town that wanted its own bank,” recalls Bob White, FNBMD President & CEO. The Simpson family, who helped establish the bank, still maintains representation on the board today, underscoring the generational ties that run deep. For White, the milestone of 100 years is more than longevity. “Every few years, people would predict the end of community banking — whether because of mergers, the Internet or AI,” he said. “But each time, it reinforced the value of what we do. At some point, customers want to talk to a person they know and Few moments define resilience more than national crises and FNBMD has weathered them all. During the Great Depression, the bank never closed its doors. The same was true during the peak of the COVID 19 pandemic. “Customers could come in and see us face to face,” said John Pease, President of Trust and Investments. “That accessibility sets us apart.” Senior Vice President & Chief Lending Officer Bill Brooks echoes that commitment. He recalls the Great Recession, when FNBMD did everything possible to keep families in their homes.“If someone was struggling, we worked with them. The only way you lost your home here was if you walked in and handed us the keys.” That same mindset carried into the pandemic’s PPP loan program. Brooks and his colleagues worked around the clock – sometimes starting at 5:30 a.m. and ending near midnight – to ensure every application was processed. “We were one of the first in the region to get into the SBA portal,” Brooks said. “Hearing trust. That’s where we matter.” Strength Through Change

from customers that we saved their business or their employees’ jobs — that was incredibly meaningful.” A Bank That Grew with Its Town FNBMD’s trust department, launched in the mid 1960s, has become a cornerstone of its success. “The trust now has over $1.1 billion in Assets Under Management,” Pease said. “It provided stability during tough years like 2009 and has become a major profit center.” What makes the trust department unique? Its local, hands-on approach. “We don’t outsource,” he said. “Our investment officers, operations and back office are all here in Mount Dora. Customers know us personally.” That personal touch extends to every relationship — whether managing a $40 million trust or helping an 18-year-old set up their first IRA. “Nothing’s too small or too big,” Pease emphasized.“We’ll sit down and help, because that’s what builds trust across generations.” Investing in People Although FNBMD hasn’t been family-owned, the bank’s culture is often described as family-like. Senior Vice President & Chief Operations Officer Lori Ross, who has been with the bank for more than 40 years, points to employee referrals as the strongest recruiting tool. “People want to work here because it feels like family. Decisions are made locally. You’re not just a number,” she said. The bank also invests heavily in its team, supporting professional development through programs like the Florida School of Banking.“We’ve gotten much better at developing from within,” said Executive Vice President & CFO Andrew Kurtz. “We try not to pigeonhole people but instead give them opportunities to grow into what they’re good at and passionate about.” Employee appreciation is woven into the culture. For the centennial, the bank hosted trivia nights, monthly giveaways and a downtown community celebration. “We want our team to feel valued, because when they can balance family and work, they give back even more,” Ross explained. Ross also recalled the “Storm of the Century” in the 1990s, when tornadoes ripped through Mount Dora. “The area lost power for days, but the bank never closed,” she said. “We ran manually, relied on generators and worked through it together. Customers needed us and we were there.” First National Bank of Mount Dora, Continued on page 10

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