FLB First Natl Bancshares Fla

First National Bank of Florida to Establish Full-Service Financial Center in the Heart of Old Naples NAPLES, Fla., March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First National Bank of Florida, a wholly owned subsidiary of First National Bankshares of Florida, Inc. , today announced plans to open a full-service financial center in the heart of the exclusive Old Naples shopping district in Naples, Florida. The 3,100-square-foot facility will offer a complete line of commercial banking services as well as wealth management, investment and insurance products. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031230/FNBFLOGO ) "We are delighted to expand our unique brand of superior community banking services to our friends in the Old Naples area, which includes the established neighborhoods of Port Royal and Aqualane Shores," said Gary L. Tice, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First National Bankshares of Florida. "We see tremendous growth opportunities to serve not only our existing customers but to significantly add to our customer base." This will be the bank's 12th financial center in the Naples/Collier County area and will increase the total number of offices statewide to 60. The bank will occupy an existing structure that will be completely renovated and expanded. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2004, with a grand opening anticipated in October 2004. Located at 385 14th Ave. S., the new First National Bank of Florida office will be fully staffed to provide a wide variety of banking products coupled with a superior level of customer service. It also will be able to offer a complete line of personal and commercial insurance, investments and wealth management services through the bank's affiliates, Roger Bouchard Insurance, Inc. and First National Wealth Management Company. Widely regarded as having more millionaires per capita than any other area in the United States, the Naples/Collier County MSA is a vibrant, growing market with a very strong customer base. According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, Old Naples ranks among the wealthiest neighborhoods in the market, with an average household income of $238,850. Old Naples also is recognized as one of the area's most desirable addresses and is home to a significant number of retirees and former chief executives of major corporations. "We have been seeking an appropriate location to serve this important market for several years," said Garrett S. Richter, President and Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank of Florida. "It is our belief that this is one of the best markets in the entire country. We look forward to serving our friends, neighbors and shareholders in Old Naples." In keeping with the bank's local community roots, it is anticipated that a Community Bank Board will be established to serve the Old Naples office. This board will consist of a number of local individuals representing various business and community organizations. The bank has hired the architectural firm of Geshay Associates Inc. of Naples to oversee the building improvements. The interior will be nearly doubled to accommodate a new conference room, safe deposit boxes, a larger vault and administrative offices. The exterior landscaping and parking area also will be significantly enhanced. "These improvements will basically make what was a small, convenient bank location more of a full-service financial center," said John T. Geshay, principal of Geshay Associates Inc. Headquartered in Naples, Florida, First National Bank of Florida is one of the state's largest community banks with approximately $3.8 billion in total assets and 59 full-service financial centers in seven counties throughout southwest and central Florida. Focused on superior customer service, First National Bank of Florida was proud to be recognized as the "Best Bank" in Southwest Florida in a 2003 readership poll by the "Naples Daily News." In the same poll, the bank took top honors in the "Best in Service" category, which includes businesses in financial and non-financial related industries. First National Bankshares of Florida, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Naples, Florida. In addition to traditional community banking, the company provides a full line of insurance, investments and wealth management services. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FLB." Additional copies of this news release may be requested by contacting the First National Bankshares Corporate Communications Department at 1-800-262-7600, extension 1676. CONTACT: Clay W. Cone Vice President, Director of Corporate Communications 239-436-1676 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031230/FNBFLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: First National Bankshares Of Florida, Inc. CONTACT: Clay W. Cone, Vice President, Director of Corporate Communications, First National Bankshares Of Florida, Inc. +1-239-436-1676 Web site: http://www.firstnationalbankshares.com/

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