Veterinarian with over 20 years of industry experience brings extensive knowledge of local market and community banking to new role
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Nov. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As it continues its expansion and development in the Tampa Bay area to become the region’s premier community bank, St. Pete-based BayFirst National Bank – the wholly owned subsidiary of BayFirst Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: BAFN) – Hired local banking veteran Adam Curtis as senior vice president, market director for Pinellas County, which is currently home to five BayFirst banking centers.
Prior to joining BayFirst, Adam served as Executive Vice President and Senior Lender for Freedom Bank, a competing community bank based in St. Petersburg, which was acquired by Seacoast Bank in 2020. There he oversaw loan sales initiatives across the bank and portfolio management, while managing and growing its own commercial loan portfolio of over $120 million. Prior to Freedom Bank, he served as Vice Chairman of other major regional community banks including Hancock Bank, Regions and Sun Trust.
An industry leader with over 20 years of experience, Adam brings not only commercial banking management expertise, but also proven success in the Tampa Bay market and community banking space. In his new role at BayFirst, Adam will lead the strategic execution of BayFirst’s business and personal loan origination in Pinellas County to maximize profitability. He will be responsible for managing staff, managing new business deposits and lending relationships, and developing banking products and services in the market served by the bank’s locations in Belleair Bluffs, St. Petersburg, Seminole , Pinellas Park and Clearwater.
“Adam brings with him decades of community banking experience and unparalleled first-hand knowledge of the Tampa Bay market, which will prove essential as he takes the reins of the county where our bank has the strongest presence,” said said BayFirst EVP, Chief Banking Officer Matt Luckey. “I’m confident he will play a critical role in advancing BayFirst’s overall strategic initiatives, and I look forward to seeing his direct impact on Pinellas County communities and our bank as an organization.”
Adam holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Florida State University. He is also a graduate of the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He is a former Honorary Commanding Officer of MacDill Air Force Base Maintenance Squadron 927e Air Refueling Wing and served on the Community Action Stops Abuse Board of Directors. Adam currently sits on the board of directors of Remember Honor Support and Menorah Life, two non-profit organizations in St. Petersburg.
Anthony N. Leo, Managing Director of BayFirst, said, “We are delighted to welcome Adam Curtis to BayFirst. As a recognized industry leader, Adam represents BayFirst’s ongoing efforts to expand its community banking franchise and commercial lending capabilities. Adam’s experience and community status will play a vital role in our mission to become Tampa Bay’s premier community bank.
About BayFirst National Bank
Based in Saint Petersburg, BayFirst National Bank, the main subsidiary of BayFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: BAFN), operates eight banking centers in the Tampa Bay area and issues residential mortgages locally. In addition, BayFirst offers a wide range of personal and business banking services, including small business loans through its SBA lending division, CreditBench, and is one of the nation’s leading SBA lenders. Since opening in 1999, BayFirst has grown exponentially without losing sight of its commitment to impacting the community and being Here for What’s Next® in the lives of its customers. For more information, visit: www.BayFirstFinancial.com.
About BayFirst Financial Corp.
BayFirst Financial Corp. is a registered bank holding company which commenced business on September 1, 2000. Its primary source of revenue is from its wholly owned subsidiary, BayFirst National Bank (f/k/a First Home Bank), which commenced business on February 12, 1999. BayFirst National Bank is a national banking association. The Bank currently operates eight full-service offices and was in the top 8 by dollar volume and number of units created nationwide through the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2022 of the 2022 fiscal year of the Bank. SBA. In the Tampa Bay Five Counties market, BayFirst was proud to rank number one in both dollar volume and number of units created during the same period.
BayFirst Financial Corp., through the Bank, offers a wide range of business and consumer banking services, including various types of deposit accounts and business and personal loans. As of September 30, 2022, BayFirst Financial Corp. had total assets of $930.3 million.
Forward-looking statements
In addition to historical information contained herein, this presentation includes “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: , the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, global military hostilities or climate change, including their effects on the economic environment, our customers and our operations, as well as any changes in laws, regulations or federal, state or local ordinances in connection with them; the Company’s ability to implement its strategy and develop its banking operations; changes in interest rates and other general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in financial markets; changes in business plans when circumstances warrant; risks related to mergers and acquisitions; changes in benchmark interest rates used to price loans and deposits; changes in tax laws, regulations and guidelines; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the “Risk Factors” described in our Forms 10-K and 10-Q more recent. Readers should note that the forward-looking statements included herein are not guarantees of future events and that actual events may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Media Contact:
Megan Brewer
AVP, PR at BayFirst
(617) 285-0771
Megan.Brewster@BayFirstFinancial.com
