First Green Bank Ranks among Best Community Banks in Florida in Two Independent Banking Industry Studies

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- Two recently released independent banking industry surveys have ranked First Green Bank among the strongest in asset quality in Florida for its conservative approach to asset quality. Four-year-old First Green Bank, headquartered in Mount Dora with branch offices in Orlando, Clermont and Ormond Beach and a fourth branch to open in Winter Park later this year, was judged among the best in the Central Florida region in both asset quality and lending strength and scored a 1.2 in the vaunted Texas ratio, a banking industry standard since the 1980s. Kenneth LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer of First Green Bank, said a statewide Asset Quality Review by the Carson Medlin Company, the independent banking industry division of Monroe Securities, Inc., ranked First Green Bank first in the seven-county Central Florida region in its ratio of assets to non-performing assets and tied for second in the region with the ratio of average loans to NCO’s (net charge offs). Excluding First Green Bank’s single restructured loan, Carson Medlin gave First Green Bank perfect ‘0.0’ scores on the Texas Ratio, it’s non-performing assets (NPA’s) and its ratio of NPA’s to assets, LaRoe said. A second study, the Hovde Group Quarterly Florida Bank Peer Performance Report, gave First Green Bank a perfect score on the Texas ratio — the best in Central Florida. “The Carson Medlin and Hovde Group surveys are independent, highly respected and highly anticipated report cards for community banks that provide an accurate measure of banking policies, strategies and success,” LaRoe said. “We all feel a great sense of pride to have scored so well, given our age and size,” LaRoe said.

Watts and Water Solutions, Inc. and Aquarii Services, Inc. in Winter Springs Enter “Teaming” Agreement with Chugach World Services, Inc. (CWSI) of Alaska

Winter Springs, Fla. –Watts and Water Solutions, Inc., and its sister company Aquarii Services, Inc., has entered into a “teaming” marketing agreement with Chugach World Services Inc. (CWSI) of Anchorage, Alaska. Watts and Water Solutions Inc. developed the Aquarii Solar Thermal Desiccant Dehumidification System that can reduce air conditioning and water heating costs in large buildings. Cliff D’Angelo, president of Watts and Water Solutions, Inc., said CWSI is a subsidiary of Chugach Alaska Corporation, an Alaska Native Regional Corporation that provides business and construction services to government agencies and installations around the globe. “The Aquarii Solar Thermal Desiccant Dehumidification System employs solar technology to produce dramatic results for building owners and developers,” D’Angelo said. “Aquarii has developed the technology to harness sustainable energy resources in a way to dramatically reduce the energy needs to produce a safe, comfortable indoor working environment, and Chugach plans to utilize Aquarii technology to enhance buildings and facilities to significantly exceed today’s standards for energy efficiency,” D’Angelo explained. Aquarii Services, Inc. is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation program’s Winter Springs site on S.R.434.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Office Expansion Lease for 4,700 Square Feet at Plaza North on Douglas Avenue in Altamonte

MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated an office expansion lease agreement for suites 1100, 1200 and 1300 totaling 4,700 square feet in Plaza North, 385 Douglas Ave. Altamonte Springs. NAI Realvest Principal Tom R. Kelley II, CCIM and Associate Chris Adams brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord US Bank National Association of Irving, Texas. The local tenant is The Continental Group, income property management specialists already occupying suite 3000 in the same building with 11,715 square feet, but need additional space for current and anticipated growth.

WINSTON-JAMES DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATES LEASE OF 2,804 SQUARE FEET AT ALOMA BUSINESS CENTER IN WINTER PARK

SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. – Winston-James Development Company, based in South Daytona, has negotiated a new lease agreement for 2,804 square feet of office space at its Aloma Business Center on Aloma Ave. in Winter Park. Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development said Tcreative leased the space for its operations specializing in marketing and company and product branding. The new tenant is relocating from a smaller Winter Park location and has been in business for 10 years. SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. – Winston-James Development Company, based in South Daytona, has negotiated a new lease agreement for 2,804 square feet of office space at its Aloma Business Center on Aloma Ave. in Winter Park. Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development said Tcreative leased the space for its operations specializing in marketing and company and product branding. The new tenant is relocating from a smaller Winter Park location and has been in business for 10 years.

Hanover Land Company Reports Acquisition of 1,184 Home Sites in 2012

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hanover Land Company, a major Central Florida residential property developer based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, reports it acquired 1,184 residential home sites in 2012. Bill Orosz, managing director for Hanover Land Company, said the assets are expected to generate in excess of $60 million in revenue as the lots are re-sold to other builders in Central Florida. Hanover Land Company is under the same ownership as its sister company Royal Oak Homes. Royal Oak is one of the fastest growing new home builders in Central Florida. Orosz said Hanover Land's newest project was the acquisition of Bridgeford Crossing. The community is located in northeast Polk County and features over 100 finished homesites with clubhouse, fitness center, theater, and resort style pool. Currently, Hanover Land Company is also developing over 200 homesites in Winter Garden and Winter Park.