Author: Meghn Hill

Tiffani GozdurLAKE WALES, FL – Tiffani Gozdur has been promoted to the role of Vice President, Trust and Wealth Advisor within the Citizens Bank & Trust Wealth Management Department.

Over her 28-year banking career, Tiffani has held a variety of banking positions, including previous work in trust administration and private banking. As a Trust and Wealth Advisor, she will work directly with trust clients to develop strategies to meet their unique investment management and estate planning goals.

“Tiffani has been a strong asset to our Citizens Bank & Trust team since joining the bank in 2013,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “She has a passion for serving others and our community, and we are happy to have her working with our Trust clients.”

A native of Polk County, Tiffani is a graduate of the Florida School of Banking and the Florida Graduate Trust School. She currently serves on the boards of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and Theatre Winter Haven. She is a past recipient of the Polk Emerging Leader Award and was named a 2024 “She Knows Where She’s Going” honoree by Girls Inc. of Winter Haven in recognition of her many community leadership roles.

About Citizens Bank & Trust:
Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 16 full-service offices in Polk, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties. The Bank proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, investments, and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the Bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as a reliable and dependable community partner.

Jennifer BaileyLAKE WALES, FL – Jennifer Bailey, a fourth-generation Polk County resident, has joined Citizens Bank & Trust as Officer and Office Manager. She leads the South Lakeland office, located at 5850 Florida Ave South.

Over her 26-year banking career, Jennifer has held a variety of leadership roles throughout Polk County. A native of Bartow, she enjoys developing relationships with her customers and volunteering with local organizations.

“We are delighted to have Jennifer on our Citizens Bank & Trust team,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “Her strong local ties and extensive background in banking are a great fit for the customers and small businesses served through our South Lakeland office.”

The South Lakeland office, built in 2019, serves the growing Imperial Lakes and Christina communities in Lakeland, as well as the greater Mulberry area. The office phone number is 863-225-1460.

 

About Citizens Bank & Trust:
Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 16 full-service offices in Polk, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties. The Bank proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, investments, and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the Bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as a reliable and dependable community partner.

LAKE WALES, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust is pleased to announce that the Bank has entered into an agreement with College Ave to offer a variety of student loan financing options to consumers. This referral-based partnership provides access to college student loan and student loan refinancing solutions through a completely online process.

“College Ave’s industry reputation, flexible loan options, and a focus on educating consumers, aligns with our service commitment to both our customers and the community,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “Access to higher education can transform lives, and we are proud to enter into this agreement to help families throughout our service area.”

“We are proud to partner with Citizens Bank & Trust and offer higher education financing solutions for their customers,” said Brian Reed, Head of Partnerships at College Ave. “As a community bank, Citizens Bank & Trust is deeply dedicated to its customers. We are proud to help honor that commitment and provide access to student loans, parent loans and refinancing options that will help students and their families achieve their goals in higher education and beyond.”

Based in Wilmington, Delaware, College Ave offers a customer-centric approach to private student loans, parent loans, graduate school loans and refinancing options. With competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms and great customer service, College Ave makes the student loan process simple and easy. The student loan application takes less than three minutes to complete. For additional information, please visit: https://www.citizens-bank.com/loans/student-loans/.

About Citizens Bank & Trust:
Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 16 full-service offices in Polk, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties. The Bank proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, investments, and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the Bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as a reliable and dependable community partner.

About College Ave:
College Ave started with a big vision and a simple mission – take the stress out of paying for college so students can focus on preparing for a bright future. Now a leading financial services company, College Ave remains committed to using best-in-class technology and deep industry expertise to deliver practical and personal solutions that give young adults a running start on their roads to financial success. We offer best in class products with competitive rates and a customer-friendly experience from start to finish.

Amy StavelyLAKE WALES, FL – Amy Stavely has joined Citizens Bank & Trust as Vice President and Office Manager. She will lead the office in the heart of Downtown Lakeland, located at 402 S. Kentucky Avenue, Suite 100.

Ms. Stavely is a Lakeland native, and graduated from Lake Gibson High School. Amy’s banking career spans nearly two decades in the Lakeland market, including 13 years in management positions.

“We are excited to welcome Amy to Citizens Bank & Trust,” said Citizens Bank & Trust President and CEO Greg Littleton. “She has a wide range of experience serving the Lakeland market, and is a great fit to lead our downtown office.”

About Citizens Bank & Trust:
Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 16 full-service offices in Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. The Bank proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, investments, and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the Bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as a reliable and dependable community partner.

LAKE WALES, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust held a groundbreaking ceremony August 26 for the Bank’s Plant City office, located on James L. Redman Parkway near Johnson Road. The new site marks the first newly-constructed building outside Polk County in the Bank’s 102-year history.

“We are honored to be expanding our commitment to Plant City with a new building in the growing Trapnell area,” said Greg Littleton, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust. “As a community bank, now in our third generation of family ownership, we celebrate this milestone in the Bank’s history and look forward to serving the individuals and business partners in this community.”

The 3,660 square-foot building, designed by Straughn Trout Architects, features a Mediterranean-style design and brick accents, in keeping with other nearby structures in the gateway entrance to Plant City. Miller Construction Management is set to begin the project in September, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2023.

Citizens Bank & Trust received FDIC approval earlier this year to expand to Plant City. A temporary full-service office, managed by Sandra Couch, opened June 21 at 1803A James L. Redman Parkway.

Citizen's Bank & Trust Plant City office building rendering designed by Straughn Trout Architects

About Citizens Bank & Trust:

Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 17 full-service offices in Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. The Bank proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, and investments and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the Bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as a reliable and dependable community partner.

About Miller Construction Management, Inc.: Miller Construction Management is a professional general contracting firm headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, and licensed in six other states in the Southeastern United States. Established in 2002, the firm has two decades of experience delivering state-of-the-art projects on time and within budget. Miller Construction Management’s expertise includes new construction, interior renovations, remodels and additions in commercial construction. The firm’s attention to detail paired with their commitment to quality has earned them national recognition and has allowed them to retain satisfied clientele, including Citizens Bank & Trust.

About Straughn Trout Architects: Straughn Trout Architects (STA) is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary design firm located in Lakeland, Florida. Since its founding in 1956, the firm has implemented consensus design strategies to develop iconic projects throughout Florida and the United States. With a project portfolio varying in scale and complexity, the firm is recognized throughout the industry as a design leader in commercial development. STA has been recognized for their growth and success by the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Fast50” as well as the University of Florida Alumni Association’s Gator100, and was the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year in 2005.