Bank News

First State Bank of the Florida Keys was awarded the Tom Sawyer Five-Star Program Award by the Key West Chamber of Commerce Education Committee for its dedication to schools,teachers, and students. The Bank was the only Five Star recipient for 2019.

The prestigious five star designation is awarded through the Key West Chamber of Commerce to members who contribute to local education through Key West High School student scholarships, teacher recognition, teacher educational enrichment, classroom adoptions, and Take Stock in Children mentoring.

First State Bank of the Florida Keys congratulates Dawn Lau on her promotion to Assistant Vice President/ Deposits Operations Officer. 

Lau began her career with the Bank in 2010 as Deposit Operations Supervisor, and was promoted to Deposit Operations Officer in 2015.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Florida Atlantic University. 

First State Bank’s AVP/Simonton Branch Manager Leslie Concepcion and VP/Commercial Lender Brad Lutz were recently on hand as guest lecturers at Florida Keys Community College’s “Preparing for Student Success” class.  Concepcion and Lutz spoke to the class on a variety of subjects ranging from checking and savings accounts, building credit and responsible credit practices, and general tax information during the class’s financial literacy module.

First State Bank is proud to once again partner with the Marathon Runners Club as the “Headline Sponsor” of the 38th Annual Seven Mile Bridge Run on April 6th.

“For over 60 years First State Bank has been a dedicated member of the Keys community,” said Karen Sharp, First State Bank President and CEO.  “It gives our Bank a great deal of pride to be a part of this landmark Keys event that brings joy to so many residents and non-residents, while raising funds for the children of our Middle Keys community.”

First State Bank is proud to announce the promotions of Karen Golembeski to Assistant Vice President/Appraisal Review Officer and Josh Lopez to IT Officer.

Golembeski began her career with the Bank as a Senior Credit Analyst in 2010, and quickly moved into the role of Manager of Special Assets.  She was promoted to Compliance Officer in 2013 and Appraisal Review Officer in 2016.

Golembeski is a Florida State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, a Licensed Florida Mortgage Broker, and a Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker.

First State Bank is proud to announce the promotion of Tina Carr to Senior Vice President/Loan Servicing Manger.  Carr began her career with the Bank in 1975 as Switchboard Operator.  In the years since, she has held positions in Bookkeeping, Accounting, Branch Operations, and Consumer Lending.  She served as Loan Operations Officer, Assistant Vice President/Installment Loan Officer, and Vice President/Loan Servicing Manager.

Wonderful evening at the Key West Chamber of Commerce Installation and Awards Banquet where our President & CEO Karen Sharp was reinstalled as a Director of the Board and our Marketing Manager Angie Walterson was presented the President’s Award by Outgoing Chamber President Suzanne Moore. 

Pictured L to R: FSB Mortgage Loan Originator Amy Pierce, FSB SVP/Market Lending Leader Ani Madruga, FSB AVP/Marketing Manager Angie Walterson, and FSB President & CEO Karen Sharp.

First State Bank congratulates the most recent group of Key Largo School third graders on their completion of the Junior Banker program.  The Junior Bankers learned the fundamentals of everyday banking over the course of three months working alongside First State Bank Customer Service Representatives, Tellers, and Branch Managers. 

First State Bank was proud to once again help Poinciana Elementary with their annual gift drive, gathering toys for families in need during the Holidays. 

Pictured L to R: Poinciana Elementary Principal Dr. Larry Schmiegel, First State Bank AVP/Public Relations & Communications Manager Angie Walterson, and Poinciana Elementary Thanksgiving and Christmas Children Coordinator Susan Saunders Goldstein.

First State Bank of the Florida Keys is proud to congratulate President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, Karen Sharp on thirty years of dedicated service to the Bank.

Sharp began her career in the financial industry in 1981 and has been working at First State Bank since 1988.