CLEARWATER, FL — Cogent Bank is gearing up to expand its Tampa Bay area presence, hiring longtime local banking leader Jackie McIntosh to head its Pinellas County operation as Market President.
The move is part of a major expansion for the bank, which offers customers a variety of personal and commercial banking services. In October, McIntosh is opening executive and commercial lending offices in Pinellas to be followed by a retail banking center in Clearwater next spring. In Hillsborough County, the bank already has executive and commercial lending offices, and is planning to open a retail banking center in Tampa’s Westshore district this fall.
McIntosh is hiring well known, veteran bankers who have years of experience in the financial service industry and have deep roots in Pinellas County. Cogent will provide a wide array of consumer, commercial, mortgage, and treasury management products tailored to the needs of its customers.
Cogent’s focus is on helping small- to mid-sized businesses, and also has expertise with SBA, homeowner association and other specialty lending products, said McIntosh, who is also an Executive Vice President of Cogent Bank.
“We will be building a team of bankers with deep commercial experience to invest in fast-growth businesses in Pinellas County,” said McIntosh, who’s been involved in area banking for more than 25 years, having led local operations for Valley National Bank and EverBank. “We’re more than just your lending partner. We are in the business of financial problem solving.”
Cogent sees this as the right time for a customer-focused bank to expand in the state. As midsize banks get larger and less personal, it expands the niche for specialized banks like Cogent that offer high-touch customer service and local decision-making.
About Cogent Bank: Cogent Bank is a state-chartered commercial bank with offices in Jacksonville, Orlando, Orange City and Tampa. The bank offers clients an experienced relationship management team with deep roots in the communities it serves. With robust lending and depository capabilities, along with sophisticated treasury management and property management services, the bank focuses on delivering excellent customer care. For more information, visit Cogent Bank at www.Cogentbank.net.