Author: Anthony Sassano

LAKE WALES, FL – Jeffery Johnson has been promoted to Office Manager and will serve the Dundee market.

Mr. Johnson brings 12 years of experience in banking to his new role, most recently serving as the Assistant Office Manager in the Lake Wales office. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Polk State College and completed the Bank’s Leadership and Management program. A lifelong Florida resident, he has a passion for serving others and the community.

“Jeffery began his career at Citizens Bank & Trust as a Customer Service Representative in the Dundee office, and his leadership while serving in our Lake Wales office and during our recent systems upgrade will serve him in growing business relationships in the community,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “We are pleased to have him return to Dundee in a key leadership role.”

About Citizens Bank & Trust:
Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 16 full-service offices in Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. The Bank proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, investments and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as a reliable and dependable community partner.

LAKE WALES, FL – Sofia Belette has been promoted to Office Manager for the growing Ft. Meade market. Citizens Bank & Trust is the only banking institution in the city.

With over 20 years in banking, Ms. Belette joined Citizens Bank & Trust in 2020 as the Assistant Office Manager in Bartow. She is a graduate of both Miami Dade College and the University of Florida – Florida School of Banking, and is fluent in English and Spanish. She previously worked in the Ft. Meade market and looks forward to getting involved in the community.

“Over the last few years, the growth of the Ft. Meade office under Valerie Tillmon’s leadership created the need for a full-time Office Manager,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “Sofia’s leadership in the Bartow office, combined with her previous experience in Ft. Meade, make her a great fit for the newly created position.”

About Citizens Bank & Trust:
Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 16 full-service offices in Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. The Bank proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, investments and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as a reliable and dependable community partner.

LAKE WALES, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust announced today that an agreement is in place with Hillsboro Bank to acquire its Valrico and Dade City offices. The offices are located in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, respectively. This move will represent the first expansion outside Polk County, Florida for Citizens Bank & Trust.

“For over one hundred years, Citizens Bank & Trust has proudly served the residents of Polk County,” said Greg Littleton, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust. “As a family-owned bank with a long and rich history, we share Hillsboro Bank’s culture of providing exceptional customer service. We look forward to welcoming these Hillsboro Bank customers to the Citizens Bank & Trust family and developing new business and personal relationships within both communities.”

Hillsboro Bank customers were previously notified of the pending acquisition.

Under the terms of the agreement, Citizens Bank & Trust will obtain property and deposits at both locations. The sale is expected to be finalized in mid-October, subject to regulatory approval.

About Citizens Bank & Trust:

Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 14 full-service offices throughout Polk County, and proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, investments and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the bank was originally known, was established in 1920. In 1998, Citizens Bank successfully expanded into the community of Lake Wales, and added an office in Haines City shortly thereafter. In 2004, Citizens Bank purchased the Lake Wales-based American Bank & Trust, which included a trust department. The bank name was changed to Citizens Bank & Trust, and the bank has strategically grown to the current 14-office network and over $1 billion in assets.

Over the past century, each of the three board chairs have been family members, leading the bank to be a reliable and dependable business partner in the community.

About Hillsboro Bank:

Hillsboro Bank, is a state-chartered commercial bank, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Plant City, Florida. The bank’s primary business focus is commercial lending.

As part of our 100-year anniversary celebration, Citizens Bank & Trust was pleased to provide an opportunity for 29 qualified Polk County non-profit organizations to benefit from part of a ^$100,000 grant fund through our 100 Days of Giving Initiative.

“Polk County is our home, and we strongly believe that it is our responsibility to take an active role in the communities we serve, especially since we not only do business here, but live here as well. As we celebrate 100 years in Polk County, the 100 Days of Giving Initiative is a fitting way to demonstrate our enduring commitment to help make those communities better.”

Greg Littleton
President and CEO
Citizens Bank & Trust

Congratulations to our 29 grant recipients: