TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

SouthShore Bank Branches Out

ADVERTISEMENT

By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 24, 2007

Updated: 11/22/2007 02:33 am

APOLLO BEACH - When Charlotte Clark left SunTrust Bank after more than 25 years to work for SouthShore Community Bank, many SunTrust customers and employees in Sun City Center were surprised and disappointed.

Those same people will undoubtedly be happy she's returning.

"It's nice to have someone coming back who's been so involved for more than 20 years," said Sun City Center lawyer Donald Linsky. "Charlotte is honorable, professional, empathetic and a great listener. She actually cares about and understands the community."

Sometime in January, SouthShore will open a branch office at 131 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., in the former AmSouth Bank building. Clark, 47, has been named its branch manager.

"I taught Charlotte to be a teller," said Alicia West, 79. "I always knew she'd go places. She has a beautiful personality, and she's very well liked. I think people will be happy she's back. She'll make the new bank very profitable."

Apparently, that was part of the plan.

"When Charlotte came aboard six months ago, we had begun the approval process, with the idea she would always go back there," said Susan Hubbard, vice president and chief operating officer. "Because of the bank's reputation, Charlotte's following and her level of community involvement, we expect this branch to take off very quickly. We're thrilled."

A Gibsonton resident for 34 years, Clark said one of the reasons she accepted the position with SouthShore was its plan to open the Sun City Center branch.

"I am so excited. I can't wait to serve my old clients and new customers," she said.

"Charlotte is a community banker at heart," said Larry Tracy, SouthShore's president and chief executive officer. "She has the customers' and the bank's best interests at heart. She's a perfect fit for our first expansion, and we're looking forward to having her manage the new branch."

The Sun City Center branch will begin with a staff of four to five. One of them will be Liz Hood, another former SunTrust employee and Sun City Center resident.

"I'm looking forward to doing banking the way it used to be, where customer comes first," Hood said. "I'm very excited to be returning."

"It was just a matter of getting the approvals from the state and the FDIC," Hubbard said.

For information, call (813) 649-9400.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT