About Field Notes: Field Notes from a Community Banker is a running journal from Keith Costello, CEO of Locality Bank. Each edition captures Keith’s reflections from the past weeks—moments of leading a community bank, conversations with business owners, and lessons learned about business, community, and life. It’s a window into what it means to build and serve alongside local entrepreneurs.
November 9, 2025 | Ft. Lauderdale
This time of year always seems to slow the pace just enough for the important things to come into focus. Conversations feel a little deeper, and the work feels a little more connected to the people we serve. These are a few notes from the past several weeks that helped sharpen that perspective.
Strong communities are built by people who consistently show up.
Last week, I attended a dinner benefiting the Children’s Diagnostic Treatment Center. Events like this remind me that the work we do reaches much farther than balance sheets. Strong communities are built by people who consistently show up.
On Saturday, November 8th, I spoke on a panel at the Connecticut Bankers Association annual meeting in Palm Beach. The focus was digital assets and stablecoin. Many bankers are still trying to understand this space, but interest is growing. At Locality, we have been studying these developments because they may eventually influence how our clients move money or build financial strategies.
Slowing down for an hour often leads to better conversations than any formal meeting.
Later in the week, I joined a roundtable hosted by the South Florida Business Journal for their 2025 Fastest Growing Companies. Hearing local leaders talk about the role relationships played in their progress was energizing. I ended the day on Las Olas at Empire Social with a cigar. Slowing down for an hour often leads to better conversations than any formal meeting.
November 2, 2025 | A Big Local Event
David Ogilvy once wrote, “The longer your memos, the less likely they are to be read by men who have the power to act on them.” My wife, Denice, reminds me of this often, so I’m working on my brevity.
The highlight of the week was the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. It’s one of the signature events for our region and a reminder of how large and diverse the marine industry is in Broward County. You can feel the entrepreneurial energy the moment you walk the docks.
Stay resilient. Stay creative. Keep moving forward.
Most of my conversations this week were with business owners who are already planning for the year ahead. Their mindset is the same one I see across South Florida. Stay resilient. Stay creative. Keep moving forward.
October 26, 2025 | San Antonio, TX
The best moments were the unscripted ones.
I spent several days at the Independent Community Bankers Association leadership meetings in San Antonio. Community bankers from across the country gathered to discuss topics such as AI, deposit insurance, commercial real estate, and digital assets. These sessions felt productive. For the first time in a long time, it seems like policymakers are beginning to understand how essential community banks are to local economies.
The best moments were the unscripted ones. Conversations with bankers from small towns and large cities reminded me that we share a common purpose. We want lending to stay personal, accessible, and grounded in real relationships.
A Visit from Two Builders with Big Ambition
What I appreciated most was hearing the story behind their journey.
We met with two young custom homebuilders who shared their experience working with our team. They told us they use several community banks, but our responsiveness surprised them. One of them mentioned receiving a follow-up message from Henry Mendez, our Commercial Banking Team Leader, well outside normal business hours and said it made them realize how committed our team is to supporting their business. They also said our digital and online banking experience felt as smooth as the large banks and better than anything they had used at other community banks.
What I appreciated most was hearing the story behind their journey. One of them launched a meal delivery business right out of college. It is the type of entrepreneurial grit that is common in South Florida, and we will be featuring them on an upcoming podcast. Stories like theirs deserve to be shared.
Happy Birthday, Corey
We celebrated the birthday of our co-founder, Corey LeBlanc. His story reflects the courage that often defines entrepreneurship. Corey left a stable position, uprooted his family, and took a risk on building a new kind of community bank. Not everything has gone exactly how we planned it, but that is the nature of building something meaningful. The determination he brings to this work is the same determination we see in the business owners we serve each day.
Closing Reflection
Fall has a way of slowing the pace and sharpening the focus. The conversations, the travel, and the daily work all point back to one truth. The work is worth it because the people are worth it. Our mission stays steady. We are here to empower local businesses to maximize their potential. Every meeting and every relationship continues to remind me why that matters.
-Keith
Disclaimer: The information provided in this content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Locality Bank makes no warranty, express or implied, nor assumes any legal liability or any responsibility for the accuracy, correctness, completeness, or any actions taken based on the information provided. Loan programs, terms, and requirements are subject to change. Deposit accounts are subject to account opening requirements. Always consult a qualified professional for specific guidance related to your situation.
