San Marco resident Scott Verlander leads The Claxton Bank’s expansion into North Florida with opening of Downtown branch

Georgia-based The Claxton Bank (TCB) has expanded into North Florida, opening an office and branch at 1 Independent Drive, Ste. 1800 in Downtown Jacksonville.

To be known as TCB in the North Florida market, the bank will provide both consumer and commercial banking and lending services, including checking and savings accounts, treasury management, consumer and commercial lending and commercial real estate financing.

“Expanding into Jacksonville is foundational to our growth strategy, and I am thrilled we have attracted such a strong and experienced team to serve clients in this growing market,” said President and CEO Scott Verlander, a San Marco resident. “Our leadership team, board and shareholders have deep ties to the Jacksonville community, and we look forward to providing clients with a common sense, relationship-focused approach that can meet their banking needs.”

The Jacksonville team is led by Market Leader Kim Sole, who brings more than 20 years of local commercial banking experience to TCB. The bank has also hired Grady Marshall as its senior credit leader and Lauren Ervin to lead commercial real estate lending, in addition to new lending and banking client support roles.

The expansion takes place after a group led by Jacksonville-based investors acquired control of TCB in October 2023. In June 2024, TCB’s parent company, Southern Bankshares, Inc., closed on a $20 million growth equity capital raise to help drive this expansion into North Florida.