Community Bank Announces Hiring Rita J. Lowman as Retail Banking Executive

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Bank & Company announced today that Rita J. Lowman has joined the bank as Executive Vice President, Retail Banking Executive and Chief Compliance Officer. In addition to being responsible for the profitability and growth of the bank's existing 17 branches, association lockbox services, and treasury management services, she will be the bank's leading compliance executive.

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"We are excited to welcome Rita to Community Bank. She is a proven banking executive whose experience and leadership will be instrumental in achieving our goal of becoming the best bank in the Tampa Bay area," said Katie Pemble, the bank's President and Director.

Prior to joining Community Bank, Lowman was with American Momentum Bank where she served most recently as Executive Vice President and Senior Compliance Officer, and previously as Retail Banking Executive. She has been in Florida banking for over 25 years and has held the position of Executive Vice President/Retail Executive with Regions Bank and Republic Bank. Rita was with Bank of America for 16 years serving as the State's Administration Executive responsible for the management of numerous acquisitions including the NationsBank/Barnett merger. She then was named Consumer Executive for the West Coast of Florida responsible for 100 banking centers, 1000 associates and $5.2 billion in deposits.

Director Trevor Burgess noted, "Rita Lowman is an excellent addition to our executive team and brings with her the experience, enthusiasm and intellect that is so important for a thriving organization like Community Bank."

Lowman is involved in the community currently serving as the Chair Elect for the American Cancer Society of Hillsborough County's Operating Board of Directors. She is also the 2012 Chairman of the Cattle Baron's Ball. Rita has served on the Government Relations Board of the Florida Bankers Association and is Past Chairman of the FBA's Education Foundation and still sits on the Foundation Board.

Bill Sedgeman, the bank's chairman added, "We are proud to have Rita at Community Bank leading our efforts to expand relationships throughout our growing franchise."

About Community Bank:

Community Bank is a local, independent bank that serves thousands of sophisticated savers and borrowers from 17 locations in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Charlotte and Pasco counties and online at www.communitybanknow.com. Community Bank is a leader in checking, savings and money markets, residential mortgages, business loans, SBA loan programs, and association and treasury services.

Community Bank services include:

• Full Service Checking, Savings and Money Market depository products for consumers and businesses
• Residential mortgages, from "30 years fixed" to "jumbo" products all with fast local decision making
• Business and commercial real estate loans of up to $15 million to help local businesses grow
• Small Business Administration loans of up to $5 million – Community Bank is a Preferred Lender and is consistently ranked as one of the region's top SBA lenders
• Association and Treasury Services – providing lock-box services to condominiums, doctors and other businesses who need to carefully track their accounts receivable

SOURCE Community Bank & Company