It's hard to pin down exactly how long SunTrust Bank has been part of the local community.

"Some of our franchises in Mulberry and Fort Meade were old, old unit banks dating from the 19205 and 405," says SunTrust Mid-Florida President, Chairman, and CEO Charles McPherson.

Florida did not allow branch banking until 1979. Prior to that, each separate bank had to have its own private charter in its own location. With the advent of branch banking, individual banks were free to expand. SunTrust currently boasts over 1700 locations throughout the southeastern U.S., with 24 branches in the Mid-Florida area, three of those in Winter Haven.

SunTrust's downtown Winter Haven branch is located at 210 Security Square. A four-story building, SunTrust's branch banking occupies the ground floor, with the second and third floors devoted to commercial lending and wealth management services. SunTrust has operated from this location for nearly seven years.

SunTrust Mid-Florida is a generous Benefactor of Main Street Winter Haven.

"SunTrust has always been a community involved institution. Our slogan is: If you build your community, you build your bank," Charles explains.

Infact, Jan Touchstone, part of SunTrust's commercial lending team
in Winter Haven, currently serves on the Main Street Winter Haven board.

"Small business continues to be the area where you create the most momentum in communities," Charles says.

"And if you can revitalize the downtown area you get small business back into play."