Florida Banking September 2023

KUDOS

Edison National Bank / Bank of the Islands Sponsors 2023 Python Challenge

E dison National Bank / Bank of the Islands is returning as the Military Prizes Sponsor for the 2023 Florida Python Challenge. This year’s python removal competition, organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in cooperation with the South Florida Water Management District, and co-sponsored by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Foundation, ran from August 4-13. The participants were encouraged to remove as many invasive Burmese pythons from designated Florida public lands as possible. The annual 10-day event also serves as a reminder to the public that irresponsibly releasing pythons or other non-native species into the wild can have devastating consequences for the native wildlife in the Florida Everglades and surrounding ecosystems. The bank’s sponsorship provides prize money that can only be won by registered participants who are active military or are veterans. “My wife Robbie and I are avid python hunters,” said Bank CEO Geoff Roepstorff. “Python removal is the front line of Florida conservation for us and our fellow hunters. This year, we are proud to once again encourage active military and veterans to hunt in the 2023 Python Challenge. The three cash prizes we have underwritten are offered just for them.”

Bankers Geoff and Robbie Roepstorff with captured Burmese python.

“Our first hunt was in the 2016 Florida Python Challenge,” said Bank President Robbie Roepstorff. “Every python we have removed since then has been to honor our mothers, both of whom had a deep love of the native wildlife so threatened by these predatory exotic pythons invading the Everglades and now other parts of Florida.”

Marine Bank Participates in the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s Hometown Heroes Housing Program M arine Bank is proud to participate in the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s Hometown Heroes Housing Program, which

in down payment and closing cost assistance. “Mortgage lending has been a constant priority in Marine Bank’s 26-year history,” said Bill Penney, president and CEO of Marine Bank. “The impact of homeownership on economic growth, community engagement and financial security is tremendous. That’s why we make the mortgage process as easy as possible. Clients can apply and pre-qualify online using our mobile mortgage app or they can apply for a mortgage in person without an appointment at any banking center during business hours. And now, with the expansion of the Hometown Heroes program, we can assist even more members of our community achieve the dream of homeownership.” Full-time employees of Florida-based employers are encouraged to contact a Marine Bank banking center to see if they qualify. There is no cost to apply for Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance.

makes homeownership affordable to a larger number of community workers. Eligible first-time homebuyers can qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance for the purchase of a primary residence. The program, originally limited to law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans, has now expanded to include all full-time employees of Florida-based employers. Qualifying home buyers can receive lower-than-market interest rates on an FHA, VA, RD, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac first mortgage, reduced upfront fees, no origination points or discount points, and down payment and closing cost assistance. Borrowers can also receive up to 5 percent of the first mortgage loan amount (maximum of $35,000)

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