Cesar E. Calvet Appointed President of Newly Created CNLBank Latin Banking Group

Cesar E. Calvet Appointed President of Newly Created CNLBank Latin Banking Group

Respected Industry Veteran to Lead New Business Line for Orlando-based CNLBank

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- CNLBank announces today the appointment of Cesar E. Calvet as president of the bank's newly formed Latin Banking Group. The expansion is in response to the tremendous growth in the Hispanic population throughout Central Florida.

"The addition of the Latin Banking Group is a major step for our Central Florida bank and recognizes the value and significance of the Hispanic community in our market," said C. Michael Collins, president and CEO of CNLBancshares, the bank's holding company. "Cesar E. Calvet is a dynamic leader with deep ties to the Latin Community and extensive involvement in many Central Florida civic organizations. I am thrilled to have him lead this new division."

The FDIC projects that Hispanics will account for more than half of U.S. retail banking growth in the coming decade. Within the Hispanic community, checking accounts are estimated to increase by 57 percent and savings accounts 76 percent in the next two years. In Central Florida, the Hispanic population makes up almost 20 percent of the total population and has an estimated purchasing power of approximately $6.9 billion with expectations to increase to $8.2 billion by 2007, according to a recent report conducted for the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"The statistics are compelling," said Sandy Hostetter, president of CNLBank. "We've been looking for the right person to penetrate this high growth market, and are very excited to have Cesar join the CNLBank team."

With a career spanning 37 years in the financial services industry, Calvet brings CNLBank a wealth of relationships in the Latin community and vast business knowledge. He joins the bank from SunTrust Bank, Central Florida where he last served as senior vice president and general manager for the Latin Banking Group.

Calvet's community involvement is extensive. He currently serves as chairman, Orange County/City of Orlando Consolidation of Services Commission; member, Citrus Civitan Club of Orlando; member, advisory board member, Hispanic Fund for the Central Florida Community Foundation; and board member, Liga Contra el Cancer of the Metro Orlando American Cancer Society. He is the former chairman and currently serves as a member of the board for the Florida Housing Finance Corp.

In the past, Calvet has served as president, Central Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; vice-chairman, One Florida Accountability Commission; executive committee member, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission; and board member, Valencia Community College Foundation.

"Being asked to build the Latin Banking Group for CNLBank is a tremendous opportunity, and I couldn't be more excited about it," said Calvet. "I am fortunate to be bringing four key players from my past team with me to CNLBank, including Marcos Rubert and Lupita Chabran-Mendez, both of whom are outstanding bankers and will significantly add to the success of the Latin Banking division."

Calvet said Rubert will serve as senior vice president and relationship manager and Chabran-Mendez will serve as vice president and relationship manager. Additionally, Elsa Rojas is joining CNLBank as a personal banker and Maricarmen Muniz joins as an administrative assistant.

The CNLBank Latin Banking Group will offer its clients a full range of banking products and services including business and personal accounts, investments and mortgages. Their offices will be located at 200 East New England Avenue in Winter Park, Florida, until the completion of their permanent office space at CNLBank's headquarters located at 450 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida.

About CNLBank

CNLBank is a $630 million, state-chartered commercial bank with offices in Orlando, Jacksonville, Sarasota and Venice. CNLBank is a related company of CNL Financial Group, Inc. With $13 billion in assets currently under management, CNL Financial Group, Inc. (CNL) is one of the nation's largest, privately held real estate investment, development and finance companies. Since its inception in 1973, CNL has formed or acquired companies with more than $17 billion in assets, including hotels, retail, restaurants, seniors' housing and leisure properties. For more information, visit http://www.cnl.com/ .

Source: CNLBank

CONTACT: Lara T. Lee, Director of Marketing, CNLBank, +1-407-992-1705

Web site: http://www.cnl.com/

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