Meridian Corp. in Malvern, Pa., has entered Florida after hiring a former bank CEO.
The $1.9 billion-asset company said in a press release that it has opened a loan-production office in Bonita Springs, near Fort Myers.
Meridian hired Wayne Griest, former CEO of Continental Bank in Philadelphia, to lead the Florida expansion. Griest moved to Bonita Springs after Continental was sold Bryn Mawr Trust in 2014.
The company said it has already hired two commercial lenders and has formed an advisory board for the region.
“This is a tremendous new growth opportunity,” Chris Annas, Meridian’s chairman and CEO, said in the release.
“Many Delaware Valley natives either reside or have second homes in south Florida,” Annas added. “Because of Meridian’s many proven digital tools and processes, our customers in Florida will have a seamless connection to our operations.”