As part of an effort to provide for more localized decision making throughout its community banking division, St. Petersburg, FL-based BayFirst National Bank – the wholly owned subsidiary of BayFirst Financial Corp.– has promoted Anthony Perez to Senior Vice President and Tampa Market Executive. He rounds out a team that also includes recently hired Pinellas Market Executive Adam Curtis and long-tenured Sarasota Market President Tom Quale, each of whom will oversee all banking services in their respective areas.

Perez is a 20-year banking industry veteran who joined BayFirst in 2020, most recently serving as vice president commercial lending officer. He was also selected this year’s Hispanic Man of the Year by the Board of Directors of Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving loan and deposit growth in Tampa, which will soon be home to two BayFirst banking centers.

“Anthony is a proven commercial lender with deep knowledge of the Tampa Bay market who has ingrained himself in this community,” said BayFirst CEO Anthony N. Leo. “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.”

As part of the divisional reorganization, Perez, Curtis and Quale will report directly to BayFirst President Tom Zernick.

“This new structure emphasizes the importance of local decision making that is the hallmark of community banking,” added. Leo. “I am confident we have the right strategy and team in place to further expand and enhance our community banking franchise and commercial lending capabilities across the Tampa Bay area, and I look forward to seeing the impact these three market leaders will have not only on the communities they serve but on BayFirst’s overall success as an organization.”