BANKING REINVENTED FOR SOUTH FLORIDA’S ENTREPRENEURS
Empowering Local Businesses to Maximize Their Potential
In Fort Lauderdale, a new kind of community bank is reshaping what it means to trust your banker.
Locality Bank, founded in 2021 by Keith Costello, Drew Saito, and Corey LeBlanc, is on a mission to serve South Florida’s small businesses with a blend of technology and personalized support. Locality Bank was created to provide the genuine, empathetic partnership that local companies need.
Built on Trust, Accountability, and Innovation
The story of Locality Bank’s founding begins with a fundamental problem: a lack of trust between customers and the banking industry.
Keith Costello, the bank’s president and CEO, explains:
“Most bankers are corporate types—they’re the least entrepreneurial people on earth.”
This disconnect between the traditional banking industry and the needs of local businesses became especially apparent during the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Many South Florida businesses struggled to get the financial support they desperately needed.
Costello, Saito, and LeBlanc, veterans of the local banking scene, realized there was an urgent need for a different type of bank—one that understood the community because it was part of the community.
A Blueprint for Better Banking
What if a bank truly understood what matters to local businesses?
A bank that provides:
- Faster, local decisions
- Direct access to leaders
- Genuine support
“We understand the challenges of entrepreneurship because we are entrepreneurs ourselves,” says Costello.
This shared experience is why Locality’s approach goes beyond the typical “yes” or “no” answers that small businesses often receive. Instead of closing the door, Locality focuses on educating clients and finding ways to help them grow—whether by offering a loan or advising on how to become eligible in the future. This relationship-centric model is what sets Locality apart.
Making Things Easier, Solving Problems, and Connecting the Dots
But it’s not just about personal relationships—Locality Bank also embraces technology as a tool for empowerment.
This is where Corey LeBlanc, Locality Bank’s Chief Operations and Technology Officer, steps in.
LeBlanc brings over twenty years of experience, including roles like Chief Digital and Innovation Officer and Chief Technology Officer, making him the perfect complement to Costello and Saito’s local expertise.
The three founders knew that to be effective, they needed to create a “hybrid” community bank—one that pairs cutting-edge digital tools with personalized service.
“Everything a business or customer would need to do is digitally native, accessible wherever they are,” LeBlanc explains. “But when they need to talk to someone, we’re right here to take that call.”
Locality’s Future
Locality Bank envisions a future of growth hand in hand with its clients.
It’s about more than profits; it’s about strengthening local business communities.
As Costello puts it:
“Being at the forefront of change and continually improving the customer experience is the most valuable thing we have.”
Saito highlights that their nimble approach has allowed Locality to thrive, offering a unique experience that stands out from the competition.
And for those who set out to start businesses, LeBlanc believes:
“They need a bank willing to take that same risk, to meet them where they are.”
That’s exactly what Locality Bank aims to do—to be the financial partner that local businesses can rely on, rain or shine.
