Bank of the Islands to open Captiva location
Last week, Bank of the Islands president Robbie Roepstorff officially announced that the bank will be opening an office in the space next to the Captiva Post Office. The space has been vacant since Wachovia/Wells Fargo closed its branch operations earlier this year, leaving Captiva without a banking presence.
“We’re so happy to be supporting the community with this new office,” she said. “Having an office on Captiva, in addition to our Sanibel location, truly makes us the bank of the islands plural.”
Responding to the urgings of Captiva customers and friends, the bank applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on June 27 for authorization to open the new office. The bank’s approval was granted under the OCC’s expedited process. Mrs. Roepstorff felt this expedited approval was based on the bank’s safety and soundness record and its well capitalized position.
“Our directors, officers and staff make sure our bank remains safe and strong and we are proud to have obtained regulatory approval so quickly,” said Roepstorff.
Unaware of these actions, Sharon Brace, the Captiva Civic Association’s Assistant to the Executive Director and a Bank of the Islands customer, called Mrs. Roepstorff last Thursday urging her to consider the Captiva location. That call was the catalyst for this public announcement.
“Imagine my delight to learn that the decision had been made and plans were underway,” said Brace.
This will be the fourth office for Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, which has two Edison offices in Fort Myers as well as its Bank of the Islands location on Sanibel’s Periwinkle Way.
“As Lee County’s oldest locally owned and operated community bank, addressing community needs has always been our Directors’ mission and helps guide the way we do business,” said the bank’s CEO Geoff Roepstorff, Robbie’s husband. “This will make banking even easier for our existing Captiva customers as well as benefiting all Captiva residents and businesses.
The Wachovia/Wells Fargo lease on the Captiva Drive space runs through October, meaning Bank of the Islands cannot take possession and begin making improvements until November 1.
“If all goes well with the construction schedule, plan to have the doors open for business in January, 2012,” said Bank of the Islands vice president and office manager Rob Lisenbee, who will also be overseeing the new Captiva location.
That does not mean the bank is waiting until the New Year to serve Captiva.
“We can open new accounts now so Captivans can bank with ease from day one. Until the Captiva office opens, they can use our Sanibel and Fort Myers locations, the onsite Sanibel ATM, as well as the entire Presto ATM system in every Publix supermarket, and bank with us online or by mail,” said Lisenbee. “We will also offer our courier services to business customers.”
Word spread quickly on the island to what appears to be universal approval.
“This will be a tremendous benefit for the residents, businesses, employees, and tourists out here,” said ‘Tween Waters GM Jeff Shuff. “Wachovia/Wells Fargo’s departure left a real void in the services available to this community and our visitors. We’re grateful to Bank of the Islands for filling it.”
For Robbie and Geoff Roepstorff, the bank’s president and CEO, Captiva holds a special place in their hearts. Longstanding Sanibel residents, they were married at Chapel by the Sea.
Bank of the Islands, a name synonymous with island community banking since 1974, is the proud winner of 21 “Best of the Islands” awards, including being chosen the Best Island Bank for 13 years straight. Robbie and Geoff Roepstorff earned the statewide recognition of 2010-11 Bankers of the Year by the Florida Bankers Association.