SARASOTA, Fla., Nov. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- First State Bank (Nasdaq:FSTF), a $475-million bank with locations in Pinellas and Sarasota counties, has announced the promotion of Paul D. Thatcher to President -- Sarasota Division.
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"Paul is a well respected long term Sarasota banker," said John E. "Jed" Wilkinson, President and CEO of First State Bank. "He has been a tremendous asset to First State Bank, and I am confident that he will lead us to a higher level. In his new role, he will be able to leverage his strong community ties to create new opportunities for the bank and his customers."
Thatcher joined the bank in 2005 as senior vice president/senior lender. Thatcher brings over 36 years of finance and banking experience to the position. Previously, Paul has held senior management and senior lender positions at Colonial Bank, Sarasota Bank, NCNB, and Huntington National Bank.
"Sarasota is a dynamic and growing community of which I am excited to be a part in this new leadership position at First State Bank," said Thatcher.
Thatcher is heavily involved in the Sarasota community. He was previously a Director on the Foundation Board and Investment Committee member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, past Treasurer and Director of the Operating Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, and President and Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay Foundation. He is a graduate of Ohio University and the Graduate School of Retail Bank Management at the University of Virginia.
First State Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:FSTF) is the holding company for Sarasota, Florida-based First State Bank (www.firststatefl.com). First State operates seven full-service branches, four in Pinellas County and three in Sarasota County, with plans to open three new offices in the next 12 months. With more than $475 million in assets, except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains comments or information that constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.
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