A year after launch, bank grows to more than $200M in assets

Climate First Bank, a St. Petersburg community bank focused on environmentally sustainable products, such as loans for solar-power systems, opened for business a year ago and has already reached $211 million in assets.

According to a news release, the bank — founded by veteran Florida banker Ken LaRoe, who serves as CEO — also has $142 million in loans, $171 million in deposits and 43 employees. After opening its flagship St. Pete branch, Climate First Bank expanded to Winter Park and is in the process of establishing a third branch in LaRoe’s hometown of Eustis.