Author: Meghn Hill

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.

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 – 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.

Randy Stolberg has recently joined Citizens Bank & Trust as First Vice President and Market Executive for the Valrico/Brandon market. The Valrico office, located at 1016 Bloomingdale Avenue, opened in late 2021 and is Citizens Bank & Trust’s first entry into Hillsborough County.

A Florida native and 18-year resident of the Valrico/Brandon area, Mr. Stolberg has over 25 years of banking experience. He has extensive knowledge of the banking needs for both small and large businesses, and is committed to developing long-term relationships with his clients. In addition, he enjoys serving the community and working with organizations to help them grow and prosper.

Randy and his wife, Jennifer, recently co-founded the Logan Heroes Foundation, a non-profit organization created to help children going through treatment with childhood cancer.

“Randy is a great addition to both our commercial lending team and the Citizens Bank & Trust family,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “Randy will be working directly with local businesses to find solutions for their banking and commercial lending needs, while also increasing the presence of the bank as a partner in the community.”

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.

Citizens Bank & Trust is a Member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Tiffany Achille has been selected to lead the Valrico office location of Citizens Bank & Trust. The office, located at 1016 Bloomingdale Avenue, opened in November and marks the Bank’s first entry into Hillsborough County.

A native of Tampa, Ms. Achille began her banking career in 2002, starting as a teller and working her way up to Branch Manager. With an extensive background in the Valrico market, she values the one-on-one customer interaction offered by a community bank, working with businesses and families to identify their needs and find the right banking solutions. In addition, Ms. Achille volunteers with Seeds of Hope and Toys for Tots, and has helped hundreds of families in need through a baby formula and diaper supply pantry she created to address a critical need in the community.

“We are excited to have Tiffany as part of the Citizens Bank & Trust family. Her experience working and serving the Valrico community makes her a great fit as we enter this new market,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “Tiffany and her team look forward to working with customers to build strong relationships and becoming a partner in the community.”

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.

Citizens Bank & Trust is a Member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.