Since entering the market in 1998, Colonial Bank's Southwest Florida presence has grown considerably, from 10 branches and $240 million in total assets to 20 branches and total assets of $664 million. Regionally, Colonial Bank encompasses Lee, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties, and is poised to increase to a minimum of 35 branches over the next three years, with a strong focus on Lee County. Having worked for the Montgomery, Ala.-based bank for 20 years, Harlan C. Parrish, president and chief executive officer of the Southwest Florida region, has also seen change, both in Colonial Bank and in the banking industry as a whole.

1 You were the first management trainee hired by your company 20 years ago. What has that meant to you?

I'm proud to have been a part of Colonial Bank as it grew from a little over $200 million in assets when I was hired to $16 billion today. We've got a good story to tell, and the entire experience has been rewarding. It allowed me to take on tremendous challenges and responsibilities at a young age, and ingrained in me the importance of developing talented employees. I once read that a good organization has a strong leader at the top, but a great organization has strong leaders throughout the company. I take no greater pride in my work than knowing that I have played a small part in developing the talent and shaping the careers of people that I am blessed to work with.

2 How has Colonial Bank fared in the Southwest Florida banking environment?

The competition here is intense, but what helps to absorb all of that is the high rate of population growth. We are competing against some leviathan institutions such as Bank of America, Wachovia and SunTrust. Even so, since merging two small local banks into Colonial Bank in 1998, we've gone from ninth to sixth largest in terms of deposits in Lee County.

3 What is the secret to your success?

We have not really advertised heavily. What we do well is twofold: We strongly encourage our employees to be involved in the community and we strive for extraordinary customer service. I'm actively involved in the local community and we hire people that like to give back to the community. When I'm hiring I like to look for BVAs-bright, verbal and approachable people. Developing relationships is critical, and happy folks with outgoing personalities convey a positive image.

4 What do people look for in a bank?

People are relying on their banks for more and more. Services like the ATMs (automated teller machines), which were relatively new in the early 80s, and even debit cards, are examples of how a service can evolve into a need. We want to anticipate every need and be there with smart solutions. Our market is comprised mainly of small businesses, and one of our top priorities is to provide lending services and guidance to this important segment. We do know that customers love a local bank atmosphere and working with people who know them.

5 As a division of one of the larger banks in the United States, how can you keep it local?

Technically we are referred to as a "super community bank," but we really do not focus on that. Three years ago we coined the phrase "financial strength in local hands" to describe who we are in this market. The chairman liked the tag line so much that now all of Colonial Bank is using it.