Shaun P. Merriman, president and CEO of Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida, has confirmed that shareholders approved the merger with CenterState Banks, Inc., and all regulatory approvals have been received. Through this merger, all Gateway Bank branch offices in the Southwest Florida area are confirmed to remain open and will operate as CenterState Bank full service banking centers. Shaun Merriman will continue as Market President with CenterState and key bank officers will remain in their positions, including Dennis Murphy as senior loan officer, Brian Hall as director of private wealth, Cindy Denison as retail banking team leader. Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida is an independent community bank serving business and consumer banking clients in Sarasota and Manatee counties with three full-service banking locations. CenterState, headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida, is a financial holding company which owns CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. CenterState provides a full range of consumer and commercial banking services to individuals, businesses and industries through its 76 bank office network located within 23 counties throughout Florida, inclusive of the branches operated by Platinum Bank Holding Company and 2 approved, unopened CenterState branches. The Company also provides correspondent banking and capital market services to approximately 600 community banks nationwide.

Gateway Bank