by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
After focusing on mainly North Central Florida, the First Federal Savings Bank of Florida has decided to open a branch in Nassau County in January.
“We saw it as an opportunity to take advantage of expanding our operation and services into a growing market like Nassau County,” said Lee Lewis, vice president and regional manager who will be moving to Amelia Island to open the new mortgage office serving the Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Yulee markets. “This area fits our community-minded banking philosophy. We are very interested in the growth in Nassau County.”
He will be responsible for originating mortgage loans and building and servicing relationships with Realtors, builders and developers in the area. Lewis will be working from a new First Federal loan production office located in Amelia Markets Retail Center, now under construction, next to Lowe’s on SR 200 at A1A. First Federal is expanding into markets on the East Coast providing mortgages, commercial loans and investments.
Until his office is ready, he will be working from a condominium in Amelia Island Plantation.
“I’m going to be mobile,” said Lewis. “I will be visiting Realtors, customers and builder offices, whatever it takes. Realtors are our lifeblood and the lifeblood to any residential loan operation. They are critical and their referrals are the most important thing to me. Building relationships with Realtors, builders and developers is going to be my main focus.”
When his office is up and running, Lewis will be hiring an administrative assistant/ loan processor to help in him in his new office.
“That’s my immediate need,” he said. “I will be the loan officer at first, but depending on how the success of the office goes, hopefully we will be adding more loan officers as we evolve.”
Lewis has joined the Amelia Island/Nassau County Board of Realtors and will be visiting civic clubs to meet more people in the area.
“I’ve been visiting Amelia Island since I was 12 years old,” said Lewis. “I always spent summer vacations at Amelia Island. I fell in love with the place and it is kind of like a dream come true to be able to work, live and raise a family there in a beautiful place like Nassau County.”
Lewis is married to Kimberly and they have two daughters, Sarah Katherine 5, and Caroline 3. They will be relocating with him after May.
Lewis has a bachelor’s degree in building construction from University of Florida and has an extensive background in residential construction, sales and business development. He has been with First Federal since 1997 and has held positions with the bank including loan officer, vice president of business development and regional manager. Prior to joining First Federal, Lewis was a builder and sales associate with Centex Homes in Atlanta, Georgia.
First Federal also has offices in Lake City, Live Oak, Jasper Dowling Park, White Springs and Mayo.