Rebel Traders – Analysis Without The Hype

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2009

Flagship National Bank, Bradenton, Florida, was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First Federal Bank of Florida, Lake City, Florida, to assume all of the deposits of Flagship National Bank.

The four branches of Flagship National Bank will reopen on Monday as branches of First Federal Bank of Florida. Depositors of Flagship National Bank will automatically become depositors of First Federal Bank of Florida. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from First Federal Bank of Florida that it has completed systems changes to allow other First Federal Bank of Florida branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Flagship National Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of August 31, 2009, Flagship National Bank had total assets of $190 million and total deposits of approximately $175 million. First Federal Bank of Florida did not pay the FDIC a premium for the deposits of Flagship National Bank. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, First Federal Bank of Florida agreed to purchase essentially all of the assets.

The FDIC and First Federal Bank of Florida entered into a loss-share transaction on approximately $130 million of Flagship National Bank’s assets. First Federal Bank of Florida will share in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement. The loss-share arrangement is projected to maximize returns on the assets covered by keeping them in the private sector. The agreement also is expected to minimize disruptions for loan customers. For more information on loss share, please visit: http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/lossshare/index.html.

Customers who have questions about today’s transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-355-0650. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., EDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., EDT. Interested parties also can visit the FDIC’s Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/flagship.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $59 million. First Federal Bank of Florida’s acquisition of all the deposits was the “least costly” resolution for the FDIC’s DIF compared to alternatives. Flagship National Bank is the 103rd FDIC-insured institution to fail in the Nation this year, and the ninth in Florida. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was Hillcrest Bank Florida, Naples, which also closed today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2009

Hillcrest Bank Florida, Naples, Florida, was closed today by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Stonegate Bank, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to assume all of the deposits of Hillcrest Bank Florida.

The six branches of Hillcrest Bank Florida will reopen on Monday as branches of Stonegate Bank. Depositors of Hillcrest Bank Florida will automatically become depositors of Stonegate Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers should continue to use their existing branches until Stonegate Bank can fully integrate the deposit records of Hillcrest Bank Florida.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Hillcrest Bank Florida can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of October 1, 2009 , Hillcrest Bank Florida had total assets of $83 million and total deposits of approximately $84 million. Stonegate Bank will pay the FDIC a premium of 0.50 percent to assume all of the deposits of Hillcrest Bank Florida. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Stonegate Bank agreed to purchase $28 million of the failed bank’s assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

Customers who have questions about today’s transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-517-1846. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., EDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., EDT. Interested parties can also visit the FDIC’s Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/hillcrest-fl.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $45 million. Stonegate Bank’s acquisition of all the deposits was the “least costly” resolution for the FDIC’s DIF compared to alternatives. Hillcrest Bank Florida is the 102nd FDIC-insured institution to fail in the Nation this year, and the eighth in Florida. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was Partners Bank, Naples, earlier this evening.

It was merely a question of time, but then a tiny bank of Florida got the unenviable title of being the 100th bank to fail in 2009. Four other banks also went under Friday.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2009

Partners Bank, Naples, Florida, was closed today by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Stonegate Bank, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to assume all of the deposits of Partners Bank.

The two branches of Partners Bank will reopen on Monday as branches of Stonegate Bank. Depositors of Partners Bank will automatically become depositors of Stonegate Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from Stonegate Bank that it has completed systems changes to allow other Stonegate Bank branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Partners Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of September 30, 2009, Partners Bank had total assets of $65.5 million and total deposits of approximately $64.9 million. Stonegate Bank did not pay the FDIC a premium for the deposits of Partners Bank. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Stonegate Bank agreed to purchase essentially all of the assets.

Customers who have questions about today’s transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-357-7599. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., EDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., EDT. Interested parties also can visit the FDIC’s Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/partners-fl.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $28.6 million. Stonegate Bank’s acquisition of all the deposits was the “least costly” resolution for the FDIC’s DIF compared to alternatives. Partners Bank is the 100th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the Nation this year, and the seventh in Florida. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was Community National Bank of Sarasota County, Venice, on August 7, 2009.