FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information contact:
Niki Smith LeVasseur
Englewood, Fla., Jan. 30, 2023 – In preparation for Hurricane Ian, Englewood Bank & Trust closed at noon on Tuesday, September 27, the day before the Category 4 storm made a nearly direct hit on the community. In a social media post that day, the bank shared that all locations would be closed "until it is safe to reopen." As the storm tore through the area damaging homes and businesses, Englewood Bank & Trust employees were unsure of what they would return to after the storm passed.
On Monday, October 3, the Venice branch, spared by the hurricane, and Gulf Cove branch reopened. The Gulf Cove branch used a generator but was without internet. To become operational, a T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and range extender was delivered via helicopter piloted by Rob Roberts, Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at Wauchula State Bank, one of Englewood Bank & Trust's sister banks and part of the Crews Banking Family. The Cape Haze and Boca Grande locations also opened their doors within a week of the storm, with Boca Grande employees braving flood waters to access their office.
The branch at 1111 S. McCall Road did not fare as favorably through the storm. The hurricane destroyed its roof and the building suffered severe water damage. Unfortunately, this left the branch unsafe to do business in. Understanding the importance of serving their customers, especially in times of crisis, the Englewood Bank & Trust team began brainstorming options. Team members shuffled to neighboring branches to help with the influx of customers at locations that were able to reopen.
“We don’t just work in these communities,” shared Joe Cataldo, Englewood Market President. “This is our home too. I joined the bank right before Hurricane Ian hit and was amazed to see how the Crews family of banks cared about the well-being of their customers and employees.”
On January 23, after being closed for nearly four months, the Drive-Thru at 1111 S. McCall Rd. reopened. The branch, a separate building at the same address, remains closed, but bank leadership has announced a plan to fully return to that location.
“With the amount of damage the branch sustained, we are looking to make significate structural enhancements to the facility that will better serve our community,” shared Jake Crews, Chief Executive Officer. “This storm devastated our area and knocked us down, but we are not out. We are committed to the Englewood community. We will rebuild and look forward to growing alongside our neighbors. In 2024, customers will be able to bank at our new state-of-the-art office.”
The Englewood Bank & Trust Drive-Thru is open Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon. For hours at other locations, please visit www.englewoodbank.com/locations.
From left are Lead Tellers Lisa Bailey and Alicia Loud, and Teller Specialist Marion Gaudioso, who are happy to serve customers at the Englewood Bank & Trust Drive-Thru at 1111 S. McCall Rd. The location reopened on Monday, Jan. 23, after being closed almost four months due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian. The branch, a separate building at the same address, remains closed, but bank leadership has announced a plan to fully return to that location.