Category: News

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: 

  • All Veterans Center, Inc.
  • Alliance for Independence
  • Blessings and Hope Food Pantry
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County
  • Bridges for Heroes
  • Children’s Home Society of Florida
  • ElderPoint Services
  • Faith in Action North Lakeland, Inc.
  • FAM Church
  • Florence Villa Community Development Corporation
  • Frostproof Care Center
  • Girls Inc. of Lakeland
  • Green & Gold Foundation of Lake Wales, Inc.
  • Heartland for Children
  • Hurst Chapel AME Church
  • Junior League of Greater Winter Haven
  • KidsPACK
  • Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine
  • Meals on Wheels of Polk County
  • The Mission of Winter Haven
  • Parker Street Ministries
  • Project Love of Eloise
  • Restaurants Against Hunger, Inc.
  • Theatre Winter Haven
  • Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE)
  • The WAY Center
  • We Care of Central Florida
  • Women’s Resource Center
  • YMCA of West Central Florida

LAKE WALES, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust has adjusted some of its management roles at the bank’s corporate level.

“As we continually evaluate successful leadership and management potential in numerous roles here at the bank, these individuals have more than earned these designations and we thank them for their contributions and dedication,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President Greg Littleton.

Citizens Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the following:

Rachael Stinson has been promoted to Vice President and Human Resources Officer.  Rachael joined Citizens Bank & Trust in 2012. Tiffani Gozdur was hired in 2013 and has now been promoted to Vice President and Private Banking Officer. Jason Hayes was promoted to Vice President and IT Manager.  Jason has been with the bank since 2014. Also approved were two position title changes. Ed Granda has been elected SVP and Chief Compliance Officer & CRA Officer and Jennie Walker has been elected SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer.

Citizens Bank & Trust, founded in 1920 in Frostproof, Florida, is a full-service financial institution providing personal and commercial banking deposit and loan products, along with Trust and Investment services. Branches are located in Auburndale, Bartow, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lakeland, Lake Wales and Winter Haven. For more information on Citizens Bank & Trust visit www.citizens-bank.com.

LAKELAND, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust

Lyndsey Novotny has been hired as Vice President / Office Manager for the Haines City Office.

Ms. Novotny brings over 21 years of experience in the banking industry to her new role, having served in a variety of business development and management positions. Ms. Novotny enjoys spending time with her daughter as well as traveling and strongly believes in the goal of creating lifetime partnerships with her team and clients. She has a passion for serving others and is looking forward to getting involved in the community.

“We are both pleased and fortunate to have Lyndsey join our Citizens Bank & Trust family,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President Greg Littleton. “Her experience is a huge asset and we are glad to have her with us.”

Citizens Bank & Trust, founded in 1920 in Frostproof, Florida, is a full-service financial institution providing personal and commercial banking deposit and loan products, along with Trust and Investment services. Branches are located in Auburndale, Bartow, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lakeland, Lake Wales and Winter Haven. For more information on Citizens Bank & Trust visit www.citizens-bank.com.

Lake Wales, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust

Citizens Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the hiring of Marianne George as Assistant Vice President and Marketing Director.

As Marketing Director, Marianne will be the bank liaison with long-time agency of record and brand management partner, Tinsley Creative. Ms. George has more than 25 years of marketing experience in both the nonprofit and higher education sectors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from The University of Tampa and a Master of Science in Management from The University of South Florida. Marianne is a graduate of Leadership Winter Haven, Leadership Lake Wales, and Leadership Polk, and is a past president of the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven.

“We are pleased to have Marianne join our Citizens Bank & Trust family,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President Greg Littleton. “Her experience is a huge asset and we are glad to have her with us.”

Citizens Bank & Trust, founded in 1920 in Frostproof, Florida, is a full-service financial institution providing personal and commercial banking deposit and loan products, along with Trust and Investment services. Branches are located in Auburndale, Bartow, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lakeland, Lake Wales and Winter Haven. For more information on Citizens Bank & Trust visit www.citizens-bank.com.