Question 1

What is First Bank of Clewiston?

Accepted Answer

First Bank of Clewiston is an independent, full-service community bank headquartered in Clewiston, Florida. Operating as a state-chartered, FDIC-insured institution (Certificate #9620), the bank serves rural and agricultural communities across southern Florida.

With approximately $787 million in total assets and $706 million in deposits, First Bank specializes in agricultural lending, commercial banking, and retail banking services. The bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pioneer Bankcorp, Inc., a one-bank holding company, and maintains a strong focus on serving local farmers, small businesses, and residents in Lee, Hendry, Glades, Collier, and Palm Beach counties.

Question 2

When was First Bank of Clewiston founded?

Accepted Answer

First Bank was founded on January 1, 1922, originally under the name First Bank of Clewiston. Established over 100 years ago, the bank was created to serve the financial needs of agricultural communities in Florida's Everglades region, particularly around Lake Okeechobee.

The bank celebrated its centennial milestone in 2022 with special events and community gatherings. Throughout its history, First Bank has weathered significant challenges including the Banking Crisis of 1933, multiple hurricanes, technological transformations, and the Housing Crisis of 2008. The institution changed its name from "First Bank of Clewiston" to simply "First Bank" on March 31, 2006, reflecting its expanded service area beyond Clewiston.

Question 3

Where is First Bank of Clewiston headquartered?

Accepted Answer

First Bank is headquartered at 300 East Sugarland Highway, Clewiston, Florida 33440. The main office relocated to this address on April 24, 1990.

Clewiston is located in Hendry County in south-central Florida, along the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee. The city is known as "America's Sweetest Town" due to its significant sugarcane industry, which the bank has supported since its founding.

Question 4

Where does First Bank of Clewiston operate?

Accepted Answer

First Bank operates 7 full-service branches exclusively throughout southern Florida, specifically in five counties:
• Hendry County: Main office and Berner Road office in Clewiston, plus a branch in LaBelle
• Glades County: Moore Haven branch (First Bank is the only bank with an office in Glades County)
• Lee County: Fort Myers branch
• Collier County: Immokalee branch
• Palm Beach County: Belle Glade branch

The bank maintains a strong presence in rural and agricultural communities, with all branches located within Florida. First Bank ranks as the 58th largest bank in Florida by total assets.

Question 5

What services does First Bank of Clewiston offer?

Accepted Answer

First Bank offers a comprehensive range of banking products and services tailored to agricultural, commercial, and retail customers:

Deposit Services: Free checking accounts (including Kasasa® checking with cash rewards and ATM fee refunds), savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts.

Lending Services: Agricultural loans for farm purchase, refinance, improvement, equipment, livestock, and working capital; commercial real estate loans; business lines of credit for working capital, construction, equipment, and vehicles; home mortgage loans and equity lines of credit; consumer secured and unsecured credit; small dollar consumer loans; and personal loans.

Digital Banking: Mobile banking app (First1Bank app) with mobile check deposit, online banking platform, telephone banking through First 1 Voice Banking (844-377-5756), bill pay services, account transfers, and e-statements.

Additional Services: Credit cards for personal and business use, Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), call center services, and specialized agricultural lending expertise.

Question 6

What makes First Bank of Clewiston unique?

Accepted Answer

First Bank distinguishes itself through its century-long commitment to agricultural lending in rural Florida communities. The bank has provided affordable lending to local farmers for nearly 100 years, maintaining deep expertise in agricultural finance that few community banks possess.

As the only bank operating in Glades County and one of just three banks with offices in Hendry County, First Bank serves areas that are often underserved by larger financial institutions. The bank is locally owned and staffed by members of the communities it serves, ensuring personalized service and deep understanding of local needs.

First Bank has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, particularly in recent years. While it took 70 years for the bank to reach $100 million in assets, it has grown by $100 million per year over the past three years, reflecting strong demand for its community-focused banking approach.

The bank has earned an Outstanding rating for its Community Development Test in FDIC evaluations, demonstrating excellent responsiveness to community development needs through loans, investments, and services supporting low- and moderate-income areas.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is First Bank of Clewiston?

Accepted Answer

First Bank of Clewiston is a state-chartered commercial bank and is classified as a "State Charter and Fed Nonmember Bank" supervised by the FDIC.

This designation means the bank operates under a Florida state charter rather than a federal charter, and it is not a member of the Federal Reserve System. As a community bank, First Bank focuses on relationship banking and serving the specific needs of local agricultural, commercial, and retail customers in its market areas. The institution's loan portfolio reflects this focus, with commercial real estate loans comprising 48.1% of total loans, followed by home mortgage loans at 20.5%, and agricultural loans at 15.9%.

First Bank of Clewiston

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About First Bank of Clewiston in the United States