Bank breaks ground on new Englewood branch

Englewood, Fla., Sept. 9, 2026 – Crews Bank & Trust held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the site of the former Englewood Bank & Trust branch located at 1111 S. McCall Rd.

The event was organized in conjunction with the Englewood Chamber of Commerce and brought together members of the Crews family, bank personnel and the community. The ceremony began with an introduction from Kim Parks, Membership Coordinator for the Chamber, followed by remarks from Joe Cataldo, Area President, Englewood-Boca Grande and concluded with a ceremonial groundbreaking featuring golden shovels and hard hats

“Today is a big day, a monumental day, for the Crews family, our customers and our employees. Four years ago, almost to the day, Hurricane Ian came through and devastated this community and many of our customers. It took a toll on all of us,” said Cataldo. “Today marks a new beginning as we celebrate the groundbreaking of our new branch. This state-of-the-art building will honor our rich traditions while embracing innovation for the future. To our customers, thank you for voting us Best Bank for 30 consecutive years. That is an incredible achievement, and we are committed to continuing to earn your trust and support for the next 30 years and beyond.

The original Englewood branch, which had been a hub of the Englewood community since the 1980s, was destroyed during Hurricane Ian in 2022. The storm severely damaged the roof and caused extensive water damage, leaving the building unsafe for occupancy. Before the building’s demolition in 2024, the Englewood Area Fire Control District used it for training exercises, including vertical ventilation on a commercial roof, hose deployment, and command communication

The new branch will be a single story, 4,620-square foot structure featuring an outside courtyard with a pergola for hosting events, such as Chamber mixers, as well as a connected drive thru to replace the current free-standing drive-thru. Construction is anticipated to be completed by fall 2027

“This is where I started my banking career 22 years ago,” said M.W. McLaren IV, Chief Banking Officer. “Seeing this building rebuilt after Hurricane Ian is a full-circle experience for me and I’m extremely excited about the new facility.”

Until 2023, Crews Bank & Trust operated as four separate banks under the same family ownership: Englewood Bank & Trust, Charlotte State Bank & Trust, Wauchula State Bank, and Crews Bank & Trust.

In addition to the Englewood branch, the Arcadia North branch was also damaged by Hurricane Ian and is being rebuilt, with an anticipated opening in December. Construction of both new buildings is being led by DMK Engineering of Venice, Fla., Cool and Cobb Engineering of Avon Park and L. Cobb Construction of Wauchula, Fla

“The Bank recently opened its first Fort Myers branch at The Park Shops at Andrea Lane and with additional branches planned in Tampa and Orlando in early 2027, the Bank is focused on expanding its presence,” added McLaren, “while we continue to deliver personalized banking solutions and build lasting relationships in the communities we serve.”

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