Press Release
June 2008
First National Bank of South Miami
We Make It Easy!

BANK HISTORY
First National Bank of South Miami, originally named the Bank of South Miami, opened on April 3, 1952.  It was the first to provide banking services in South Miami and has remained at its original site since it first opened its doors.  The Bank has always had the needs of its customers and the community at the heart of its business.  Its mission has always been “Superior service provided by local professionals that you can trust”.

SAFE AT FIRST!
At FNBSM, we are proud to report to you that your hard-earned savings continue to be “Safe at First”!  Throughout our 56 year history, we have remained true to high standards in loan and asset quality, as well as strict adherence to our code of ethics and core principles.  As a result, we do not anticipate the financial challenges that other financial institutions face.  Our long-standing tradition of knowing our customers has kept us from joining the ranks of the many banks that have faced regulatory censure problems.

It is with great pride that we report for the 74th consecutive quarter, FNBSM has been awarded the prestigious five-star rating by BauerFinancial, Inc.  Since 1983, BauerFinancial has earned the reputation of "the nation's bank rating service" analyzing and reporting on the financial condition of the nation's banking industry.  Hundreds of newspapers depend on their ratings for their readers and federal and state regulators refer thousands of inquirers to them each year.  Countless depositors used their valuable guidance to successfully navigate their way through the savings and loan crisis of the '80s when others lost billions of dollars in uninsured deposits.

With 74 consecutive quarters as a 5-star bank, FNBSM is in rare company, ranked in the 95th percentile among US banks according to Bauer.

FOCUS ON BUSINESS BANKING
First National Bank of South Miami Business Solutions products and services are specifically designed to serve the needs of busy professionals.  Business Solutions offerings include:

First National Bank of South Miami also offers a wide array of business credit solutions to suit a variety of companies.  The financing tools available include Real Estate Mortgages, Business Lines of Credit, Equipment Financing, Leasehold Improvement Financing, Letters of Credit, construction loans and US Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.

MODERN CONVENIENCES
Throughout the years, the Bank has aimed to be pioneering professionals providing innovative banking services to satisfy its customers’ needs.  For example, in 1959, the bank provided a waterproof envelope dispenser at the night deposit slot to facilitate after-hours banking in spite of sudden South Florida rain and in 1960, the bank added four new drive-through teller windows for convenient banking from the comfort of the customers’ vehicles.  In the 1980’s, the bank introduced investment opportunities for its customers, including treasury bills, treasury notes, and certificates of deposit.  It also increased its safe deposit box offerings.

The First National Bank of South Miami has been committed to offering banking services at the leading edge of technology.  In 1982, the bank introduced Express Banking automatic teller cards and machines and, in 1983, it offered the first drive-through ATM in the state of Florida.  In 1994, the bank introduced telephone-based banking for routine banking needs at the customers’ convenience.  Additionally, bank customers can now access their accounts anytime, anywhere through the internet or from their cell phone, PDA or other mobile devices.

HOMETOWN BANK
Community involvement has also been of the utmost importance to the Bank from the very beginning.  Throughout its history, the Bank has sponsored bowling, Little League baseball and football teams.  Over the years, Bank employees have participated in walk-a-thons and many charitable events in the community.  The Bank invests in the future generation of entrepreneurs through its involvement with Twiglet Bank and Kidventures.  Twiglet Bank was established by the Bank at David Fairchild Elementary School in 1988 in order to help children develop an understanding of how to manage their own money.  It was the first bank in the nation managed and staffed by children for children.  The students of David Fairchild Elementary can start savings accounts and even open certificates of deposit.  Kidventures, now part of NFTE, is a non-profit program founded at Ludlam Elementary School which teaches children how to run a business by giving them the opportunity to create a product, sell it and invest the profits.  The Bank was the founding sponsor and the success under the direction of Alice Horn is unparalleled.  First National Bank of South Miami has been actively involved in sponsoring events to benefit Fellowship House for more than twenty years and has had continuous representation on their Board, first by then Bank President, Curtiss Sibley and now Veronica Flores, Executive Vice President.  The Bank has also worked with Habitat for Humanity in building houses in surrounding neighborhoods.  The Bank’s commitment to the community was especially evident following Hurricane Andrew in 1992.  Despite sustaining over $2 million in damages, the Bank reopened the day after the hurricane and not only provided banking services to its own customers but to the whole community.  The Bank also provided hot meals and gallons of water for Bank employees, as well as temporary housing for employees left homeless by the hurricane.

First National Bank of South Miami has a proud history of excellent service to its customers and is poised to continue satisfying its customers’ needs while being an integral participant in the future success of its community.  The Bank strives to exceed its customers’ expectations as a leading competitive financial institution committed to providing secure and convenient banking solutions while maintaining the local bank flavor.