First Home Bank reports historic earnings due to PPP, new residential loans
July 30, 2021 - St. Pete-based First Home Bank, a community bank with six banking centers in the Tampa Bay area, reported earnings of $13.02 million in Q2. Key drivers of this profitability were the Bank’s recognition of $14.73 million in PPP origination fees, as well as the origination of $522 million in new residential loans. "We were very well positioned in SBA loans and we repurposed that line during the pandemic to facilitate PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] funds to struggling businesses and built a mortgage and refinance business line," CEO Tony Leo told the St. Pete Catalyst. The bank is reverting back to its normal SBA business line.