Bank promotes from within for Tampa market president role

St. Petersburg-based BayFirst Bank has promoted Anthony Perez to senior vice president and Tampa market president, rounding out an executive team that also includes Pinellas Market Executive Adam Curtis and Sarasota Market President Tom Quale.

According to a news release, Perez joined BayFirst Bank in 2020 and had been serving as the bank’s vice president of commercial banking. In his new role, he will oversee BayFirst’s existing Tampa branch, at 3015 W. Columbus Drive, and a new one slated to open in February in Carrollwood.

“Anthony is a proven commercial lender with deep knowledge of the Tampa Bay market who has ingrained himself in this community,” BayFirst CEO Anthony Leo states in the release. “I am certain that his expertise and extensive connections will prove vital in this important market as we adopt a more hyper-focused approach and continue on in our mission to become the premier community bank of Tampa Bay.”

Perez, the release states, has more than 20 years of experience in banking and was named 2022 Hispanic Man of the Year by the board of directors of Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc.