Bigger may not always be better, some local bankers think. Smaller community banks have weathered the economic storm better than many of the giant banking institutions, Patriot Bank Chief Executive Officer Stephen G. Zahorian argues. The Trinity-based bank has five branches in West Pasco and North Pinellas ...more

August 13, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Friday it has taken control of the First Priority Bank of Bradenton and that SunTrust Banks Inc. will assume the bank's deposits. ...more

August 3, 2008

Crippled by millions of dollars in bad loans, First Priority Bank was seized and closed Friday by banking regulators. ...more

August 2, 2008

The First Priority Bank of Bradenton has closed, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the state Office of Financial Regulation announced today. ...more

August 1, 2008