Author: Meghn Hill

LAKE WALES, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust is pleased to announce that the Bank has entered into an agreement with College Ave to offer a variety of student loan financing options to consumers. This referral-based partnership provides access to college student loan and student loan refinancing solutions through a completely online process.

“College Ave’s industry reputation, flexible loan options, and a focus on educating consumers, aligns with our service commitment to both our customers and the community,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “Access to higher education can transform lives, and we are proud to enter into this agreement to help families throughout our service area.”

“We are proud to partner with Citizens Bank & Trust and offer higher education financing solutions for their customers,” said Brian Reed, Head of Partnerships at College Ave. “As a community bank, Citizens Bank & Trust is deeply dedicated to its customers. We are proud to help honor that commitment and provide access to student loans, parent loans and refinancing options that will help students and their families achieve their goals in higher education and beyond.”

Based in Wilmington, Delaware, College Ave offers a customer-centric approach to private student loans, parent loans, graduate school loans and refinancing options. With competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms and great customer service, College Ave makes the student loan process simple and easy. The student loan application takes less than three minutes to complete. For additional information, please visit: https://www.citizens-bank.com/loans/student-loans/.

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.

About College Ave:
College Ave started with a big vision and a simple mission – take the stress out of paying for college so students can focus on preparing for a bright future. Now a leading financial services company, College Ave remains committed to using best-in-class technology and deep industry expertise to deliver practical and personal solutions that give young adults a running start on their roads to financial success. We offer best in class products with competitive rates and a customer-friendly experience from start to finish.

Amy StavelyLAKE WALES, FL – Amy Stavely has joined Citizens Bank & Trust as Vice President and Office Manager. She will lead the office in the heart of Downtown Lakeland, located at 402 S. Kentucky Avenue, Suite 100.

Ms. Stavely is a Lakeland native, and graduated from Lake Gibson High School. Amy’s banking career spans nearly two decades in the Lakeland market, including 13 years in management positions.

“We are excited to welcome Amy to Citizens Bank & Trust,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “She has a wide range of experience serving the Lakeland market, and is a great fit to lead our downtown office.”

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 held a groundbreaking ceremony August 26 for the Bank’s Plant City office, located on James L. Redman Parkway near Johnson Road. The new site marks the first newly-constructed building outside Polk County in the Bank’s 102-year history.

“We are honored to be expanding our commitment to Plant City with a new building in the growing Trapnell area,” said Greg Littleton, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust. “As a community bank, now in our third generation of family ownership, we celebrate this milestone in the Bank’s history and look forward to serving the individuals and business partners in this community.”

The 3,660 square-foot building, designed by Straughn Trout Architects, features a Mediterranean-style design and brick accents, in keeping with other nearby structures in the gateway entrance to Plant City. Miller Construction Management is set to begin the project in September, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2023.

Citizens Bank & Trust received FDIC approval earlier this year to expand to Plant City. A temporary full-service office, managed by Sandra Couch, opened June 21 at 1803A James L. Redman Parkway.

Citizen's Bank & Trust Plant City office building rendering designed by Straughn Trout Architects

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 17 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, and 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.

About Miller Construction Management, Inc.: Miller Construction Management is a professional general contracting firm headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, and licensed in six other states in the Southeastern United States. Established in 2002, the firm has two decades of experience delivering state-of-the-art projects on time and within budget. Miller Construction Management’s expertise includes new construction, interior renovations, remodels and additions in commercial construction. The firm’s attention to detail paired with their commitment to quality has earned them national recognition and has allowed them to retain satisfied clientele, including Citizens Bank & Trust.

About Straughn Trout Architects: Straughn Trout Architects (STA) is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary design firm located in Lakeland, Florida. Since its founding in 1956, the firm has implemented consensus design strategies to develop iconic projects throughout Florida and the United States. With a project portfolio varying in scale and complexity, the firm is recognized throughout the industry as a design leader in commercial development. STA has been recognized for their growth and success by the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Fast50” as well as the University of Florida Alumni Association’s Gator100, and was the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year in 2005.

LAKE WALES, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust has received full regulatory approval to open a new office in Plant City. The new office will be the second Bank location in Hillsborough County. The Bank currently operates in 16 locations, including 14 offices in Polk County, and offices in Valrico and Dade City which opened in November 2021.

“We are excited to add a new office in the Plant City market,” said Greg Littleton, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust. “Embracing the Future, While Preserving the Past serves as Plant City’s theme, and it also represents the values we hold close at Citizens Bank & Trust. We look forward to joining this community as we build new relationships and welcome customers.”

Construction on the new building, which will be located on James L. Redman Parkway near Johnson Road, is set to begin later this year. A temporary office will open June 21 at 1803A James L. Redman Parkway.

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, and 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.

Greg LittletonLAKE WALES, FL – Greg Littleton, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust, has been named 2022 Banker of the Year by the Florida Bankers Association (FBA). The award is given to an individual who demonstrates the highest level of commitment to both the banking industry and service to his or her community. Littleton was recognized at the FBA’s annual meeting, held in Orlando.

Littleton currently serves as immediate past chair for the BancServ, Inc. Board of Directors and is beginning his second term on the government relations council. BancServ is a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of the Florida Bankers Association. He previously served a two-year term as board chair for BancServ, which included a concurrent term on the FBA Board of Directors. Prior to being named board chair in 2019, Littleton served on the BankServ board for six years.

With service to FBA dating back to 2003, Littleton previously served two terms on Florida BankPac, the association’s nonprofit political action committee, and two years on the FBA board.

In addition to his service with the FBA, Littleton is vice chair of the Polk State College District Board of Trustees. Initially appointed to the board in 2007, he has previously served as both vice chair and chair. He is immediate past chair for the United Way of Central Florida and serves on the AdventHealth Board of Directors. Littleton’s community involvement also includes past and present key leadership roles with the Bartow Economic Development Council, Central Florida Development Council, Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Lake Wales Arts Council, Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, Polk Museum of Art, and Polk Vision. Citizens Bank & Trust supports organizations and events throughout the Bank’s service area of Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties.

Littleton received his Associate of Arts degree from Polk State College in 1987, then attended Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee. He graduated cum laude in 1989 with a degree in Finance. He is also a 2001 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He joined Citizens Bank & Trust in 1997 and was named president in 2001.

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, and 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.