Co-Workers Banking On A New Venture

By JOYCE McKENZIE The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 10, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Diane Tone portrays the establishment of Republic Bank in Temple Terrace as a turn of fate.

"I feel like we've created a Camelot," said managing director Tone, who with three former co-workers recently opened the first Republic Bank branch in Hillsborough County.

Tone, a former executive with Mercantile Bank in Temple Terrace, joined longtime Temple Terrace resident Doug Winton, who retired three years ago as market president of Mercantile Bank and returned to serve Republic in the same capacity. Accompanying them are former Mercantile Bank employees Linda Hester and Brenda King, whose respective titles are business development assistant and head teller.

Its parent company, Republic Bancorp, is based in Louisville, Ky., and has 41 banking centers, including one each in Temple Terrace and Palm Harbor and two in New Port Richey. Republic has $3.2 billion in assets.

Although their experience with Mercantile Bank was positive, they are happy to be associated with a smaller bank, all four said.

"We're closer to the ground, so we can spend a whole lot more time with our customers," said Tone, who has been a banker in Temple Terrace for 36 years. "Our customers are like family."

Hester is a 20-year banking veteran, and King has logged 17 years.

"There is hardly a business around Temple Terrace that doesn't know at least one of us," said Winton, who has spent 39 years in banking, including a period when he was president and chief executive officer of the former Terrace Bank.

Republic recently completed the most successful quarter in the company's history. Its net income increased 138 percent over the first quarter of 2007.

"A lot of other banks are experiencing just the opposite," Tone said.

Steven Trager, Republic Bancorp president and CEO, is thrilled about the bank's debut in Temple Terrace.

"I'm absolutely delighted with the opening of the fourth location in the Tampa area and in particular with the team that we have in place," Trager said. "It's a great group of folks who'll take good care of our customers. That's what defines Republic."

Jerry Large of Temple Terrace is one of those customers.

"These people are friendly, honest, hard-working and they treat you like family," said Large, who has known Winton, Tone and Hester for close to 15 years.

Temple Terrace resident and businessman Don Walstead also speaks highly of the Republic team.

"I've known Diane for a very long time, and she's an awfully nice lady and very responsive," he said. "I've also established a relationship with Doug and Linda, and they've also serviced us very nicely."

Casper Johnson, owner of five Montessori schools, four in Tampa and one in Ocala, has done his banking with Winton and Tone for many years. They have arranged financing for the businesses, as well as his family's homes and vehicles.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's the people who make the bank, and since they got involved, I know it's a good one," Johnson said. "I also like to be greeted by people I know and respect, and I prefer to be known by my name rather than a number."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Republic Bank

WHERE: 11502 N. 56th St.

WHEN: Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday

INFORMATION: Call (813) 989-3680 or visit www.republicbank.com

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.