Heritage Bank Closed by State

Customers of Heritage Bank branches in Lutz, Wesley Chapel and Tampa are in for a surprise on Monday.

The bank has a new name and new ownership, according to its website.

“On Friday, November 2, 2012, Heritage Bank of Florida, Lutz, FL was closed by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation,” the website said. “Subsequently, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. No advance notice is given to the public when a financial institution is closed.”

Arkansas-based Centennial Bank now owns all three Heritage branches in Florida, including the ones in Lutz and Wesley Chapel.

Heritage had about $225.5 million in total assets and $223.3 million in total deposits, the FDIC said in a press release.

According to TBO.com, Heritage is the eighth FDIC-insured bank to fail in Florida this year. It’s the 48^th in the country.

Heritage customers can use their existing branches for the time being. They will have access to their cash this weekend, as well, through the use of ATM and debit cards, and checks.

“Checks that were drawn on Heritage Bank of Florida that did not clear before the institution closed will be honored as long as there are sufficient funds in the account,” the FDIC’s website says.

Customers with questions can contact a FDIC representative by calling 1-800-830-4731.

Are you a Heritage Bank customer? What do you think about the bank’s buyout? Let us know in the comments section.